Rosslyn in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Modern Liberation
Netherlands Carillon
George Washington Memorial Parkway
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
The Netherlands Carillon was dedicated on May 5, 1960, on the 15th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation from Nazi Germany. In gratitude for American aid received during and after World War II, the Dutch people rallied to support the memorial proposed by the Dutch government. This democratic cooperation reflected our two nations' solidarity behind democratic principles, especially as the Cold War grew in intensity.
Dutch architect Joost W.C. Boks designed the 127 foot tower in contrast to older European architecture that some considered to be fascist. The tower's abstract design, with its Piet Mondrian-like rectangular shapes, raised some eyebrows because it was the first modernist steel memorial associated with the otherwise classical stone architecture on the National Mall. Today the Netherlands Carillonin view of the Capitol Washington, Monument, and Lincoln Memorialstands as an exclamation point on the symbolic lines of Washington, DC.
From the People of the Netherlands to the People of the United States
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.3′ N, 77° 4.154′ W. Marker was in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It was in Rosslyn. It was on North Marshall Drive east of North Meade Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 27 Ord and Weitzel Drive, Arlington VA 22209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Harmony of Friendship (here, next to this marker); A Song of Thanks (here, next to this marker); "Lest We Forget - We Stand on Your Shoulders" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Place Where Memories Are Made (about 700 feet away); 70,000 Marines Helped Raise That Flag on Iwo Jima (about 700 feet away); Missions Critical (about 700 feet away); A Split Second Made Immortal (about 800 feet away); Battle Honors Unending (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Other markers no longer
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2019
3. The Netherlands Carillon
to the people of the United States
of America
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
