Capitol Hill in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Capitol Square, NW
Historical Information
The Robert A. Taft Memorial Carillon
Sculpture by Wheeler Williams
Architecture by Douglas W. Orr, 1959
The memorial consists of a 100-foot Tennessee marble tower and a 10-foot bronze statue of Senator Taft. The twenty-seven bells in the upper part of the tower are among the finest in the world and were cast in the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy, France. The largest and deepest bell weighs 7 tons; the smallest weighs 126 pounds. under computer control, they strike and play music on the hour and sound on the quarter hour; they can also be played manually for concerts or to mark official observances. At the dedication ceremony on April 14, 1959, former President Herbert Hoover stated, "When these great bells ring out, it will be a summons to integrity and courage."
Robert A. Taft was born on September 8, 1889, in Cincinnati, Ohio; his father, William Howard Taft, was the only person to serve as both President of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Robert Taft was elected to the Senate in 1938 and served until his death in New York on July 31, 1953. Construction of the memorial was authorized by the Congress in 1955, and it was funded by popular subscription from every state in the nation. Its purpose, as noted in the inscription above the statue, is to honor Taft's
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #31 Herbert Hoover series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1889.
Location. 38° 53.516′ N, 77° 0.724′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street Northwest and Constitution Avenue Northwest on 1st Street Northwest. On the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 173 1st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Capitol Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert A Taft (about 400 feet away); Naval Monument (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Capitol Square, NW (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Capitol Square (about 600 feet away); Acacia Life Insurance Building – 1936 (about 800 feet away); Ulysses S. Grant Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Here were the lots acquired on October 3, 1798 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 12, 2017
3. Robert A. Taft Memorial as seen from the Capitol Square, NW Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
