The Fan District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Memorial Bell Tower

Photographed by Kevin W., March 30, 2013

1. Memorial Bell Tower Marker

Inscription. To the Glory of God and in Memory of
James Thomas, Jr. This Bell Tower is the gift of Mrs. Laura Thomas Rutherford who has presented this memorial to her father, as a tribute to his love for and loyalty to the First Baptist Church, of which he was for many years a faithful friend and active member. The bell was formerly in the steeple of the old church at 12th and Broad Streets. On Sunday, April 6th, 1862, by resolution unanimously adopted by the church membership, it was offered to the Confederate Government to be moulded into cannon, if so needed. To save the bell, through arrangement made with the Confederate Secretary of War, Mr. Thomas gave for it a stated sum in gold coin, and through the years it has rung, as it rings today. "Peace on Earth - Good Will to Men"

Erected 1929 by Mrs. Laura Thomas Rutherford.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1862.

Location. 37° 33.591′ N, 77° 28.244′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in The Fan District. It is on Monument Avenue 0.1 miles North Mulberry

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Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2709 Monument Ave, Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: The Boulevard Historic District (about 600 feet away); 509 North Mulberry Street (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Virginia Historical Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Broad Street Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Horse (approx. ¼ mile away); Bridled Veterans (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Robinson House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rumors of War (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Stonewall Jackson (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Virginia Historical Society (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Jefferson Davis (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Inner Line of Defence (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed); Robinson House (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Memorial Bell Tower and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., March 30, 2013

2. Memorial Bell Tower and Marker

Memorial Bell and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., March 30, 2013

3. Memorial Bell and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2013, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 863 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2013, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.