Memorial Continental Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Memorial Continental Hall
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Location | 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. |
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Built | 1904–1910 |
Architect | Edward Pearce Casey |
Architectural style | Georgian revival |
NRHP reference No. | 72001427 |
Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
The Memorial Continental Hall is a very important building in Washington, D.C.. It serves as the main office for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR is a group for women who can show they are related to someone who helped the United States gain its independence.
This historic building is located at 1776 D Street NW. It shares a city block with two other DAR buildings: the Administration Building (built in 1920) and Constitution Hall. Memorial Continental Hall was finished in 1910, making it the oldest of the three. It was the location of the important Washington Naval Conference in 1922, which was a big meeting after World War I. Because of its history, the building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
What Does Memorial Continental Hall Look Like?
Memorial Continental Hall is on the east side of a city block near the White House. It's a two-story building made of brick and concrete. The outside is covered in beautiful Vermont marble. It has a style called Georgian revival, which means it looks like grand buildings from the 1700s.
The building has three sides that face the street. Each of these sides has a large, two-story entrance with tall, classic columns. The main entrance faces east toward 17th Street. It has a special covered driveway where cars can pass through. The entrance on the south side is shaped like a half-circle and has thirteen columns.
A Look Back: The History of Memorial Continental Hall
The Daughters of the American Revolution decided to build Memorial Continental Hall in 1902. They wanted a main office, a large meeting hall, and a place for their conferences. Architect Edward Pearce Casey designed the building. Construction took place between 1904 and 1910.
This was the first of three buildings the DAR built on the same spot. The Administration Building was added nearby in 1920. Then, Constitution Hall was built at the other end of the block in 1929. Later, in 1950, the Administration Building was made bigger to connect all three buildings.
In 1913, a big event called the Woman Suffrage Procession ended at Memorial Continental Hall. This march was organized by Alice Paul to support women's right to vote. Important speakers like Anna Howard Shaw, Carrie Chapman Catt, Mary Johnston, and Helen Keller spoke at the meeting inside the hall.
Memorial Continental Hall was also the site of the Washington Naval Conference in 1921-1922. This was a very important meeting where major countries around the world agreed to limit the size and power of their navies. During World War II, in 1943, the hall was used by the American Red Cross for important wartime work. In 1949, the stage in the main auditorium was removed, and the room was changed into a library.