Robert A. Taft Memorial facts for kids
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The Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon is a special monument in Washington, D.C. It includes a tall tower with bells, called a carillon. This memorial honors Robert Alphonso Taft, who was a U.S. Senator. He was also the son of President William Howard Taft.
This important memorial stands just north of the U.S. Capitol Building. You can find it on Constitution Avenue. The famous architect Douglas W. Orr designed it. The memorial is made from beautiful Tennessee marble. It also features a bronze statue of Senator Taft, which is about 10 feet (3 meters) tall. The artist Wheeler Williams sculpted the statue.
The tower itself is very impressive, reaching 100 feet (30 meters) high. It is 11 feet (3 meters) deep and 32 feet (10 meters) wide. Above the statue, there's a special message carved into the stone. It says the memorial is a tribute to Senator Taft's "honesty, indomitable courage, and high principles of free government." The base of the memorial is quite large, measuring 55 by 45 feet (17 by 14 meters). It stands about 15 feet (5 meters) high. Water flows from jets into a pool around the base, adding to its beauty.
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The Memorial Bells
The Robert A. Taft Memorial has 27 bells located in the upper part of its tower. These bells were made in France by the famous Paccard Foundry. The largest bell is called a bourdon bell, and it weighs a massive 7 tons (6,350 kilograms)!
A Special Dedication
The memorial was officially opened on April 14, 1959. At the dedication ceremony, former President Herbert Hoover spoke. He said that when these big bells ring, they will remind everyone of "integrity and courage." The largest bell strikes once every hour. The smaller bells play a chime every 15 minutes.
Music for the Nation
By a special decision from Congress, the bells play "The Star-Spangled Banner" every year. They play it at 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July. This is a special way to celebrate America's Independence Day.
How the Memorial Was Built
Building the Robert A. Taft Memorial was approved by Congress in July 1955. This happened through a special resolution. The money for the memorial came from people all across the United States. They donated more than a million dollars to help build it. This shows how much people respected Senator Taft.
Important Engravings
The memorial features two important messages carved into its stone. These words help us understand what Senator Taft believed in and why he was honored.
Message Above the Statue
"This memorial to Robert A. Taft, presented by the people to the Congress of the United States, stands as a tribute to the honesty, indomitable courage, and high principles of free government symbolized by his life."
Senator Taft's Own Words
"If we wish to make democracy permanent in this country, let us abide by the fundamental principles laid down in the Constitution. Let us see that the state is the servant of its people, and that the people are not the servants of the state."
