The National tribune., 1904-05-12
CONTINENTAL MEMORIAL HALL.
The Daughters Of the American Revolution
WIN Build Monument to Revolutionary

The Daughters Of the American Revolution
WIN Build Monument TO Revolutionary
sires.
The Daughters Of the American Revolu-
ton are proving themselves worthy de-
to perpetuate the deeds of those sires in q
truly magnificent way. A great "Continen-
tai Memorial Hall' has been one of the
dreams of this organization ever since its
inception IA years ago. 1t was to be a
fitting monument to the men who were the
founders of the Republic, and whose stern
devotion to principles led them TO defy the
then greatest Government on earth, and
the suggestion of such q memorial was
made the day the four founders Of the or
ganization first met.
At the first National Congress, held in
Washington on Oct. Is, 1890, definite ac-
ton was taken, and it was decided that the
memorial should be building.
For long time the Daughters tried to
get Congress to give them land upon which
but Congress did not see things in that
light, and the Daughters set about buying
site for the building. After careful in
vestigation and consideration Of numerous
sites one was selected next to the Corcoran
Gallery of Art, and little to the south
west of the War, State and Navy build
ing. For this site $4,000 square feet of
land have been secured at a cost of about
$4,000. When the site was pand for, the
Daughters had in their treasury 100000
to apply on the building itself which is
to cost in the neighborhood of 100000.
The site is a fine one, with broad vista
Of the Potomac and the Virginia hills, his
toric Arlington to the west and south, and
the Washington Monument to keep close
ri A IN
the northeast is the White House.
In 1902 the site was dedicated with inn
posing ceremonies. The Sons of the
American Revolution presented the Daugh-
ters with q handsome flag. which was
raised on Feb. %, 1902, and there has
floated ever since. This great commemora-
tive building is to be all American. Every
atom of material which goes into the
structure is to be of American make, man
ufacture or native to the soil. After ma
ture deliberation the plans presented by
MIR. Edward Pearce Casey, Of New York,
were finally accepted, after he had modi-
fed and remodeled them to suit the fastid-
Gus taste of the National Board. These
plans were then presented to the last Con-
tinental Congress and were unanimously
adopted by that body.
1t is to be more beautiful as to ex-
terror than the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
more commodious than the largest theater
in Washington. with a reception hall
which will accommodate 5000 people. thus
rivaling the White House in provision for
comfort at social functions.
The hall will have frontage on 18th
street of 21O feet on an elevated terrace,
the broad colonial doorway reached by a
fight Of shallow steps. The imposing en-
trance is f1anked on each side by three
massive columns, forming an impressive
facade, across which will be the words
Memorial Continental Hail." with the
date Of the erection cut i'm the enduring
marble.
From the entrance hall three broad en-
frances connect. Opposite the main en-
trance is the stage This will he ~ feet
deep. with a breadth of "a feet. Surround
ing the stage will rise tiers of boxes. Back
of the stage will be small dressing rooms
and ante-rooms. On each side of the main
entrance will be retiring and cloak rooms
of good size. Massive staircases 10 feet
broad will spring from the right and left
of the main entrance, and there will be
commodious elevators in the rear of the
building. which is three stories in the main
with basement and attic accommodate tons
Two corridors extend from the hall
north and south. each 40 feet long by 10
wide. The rooms opening off the north
corridor will be devoted entirely to admin
istrative work. The Curator's room will
he IL by "a feet: the apartment for the
Vice Presidents of the Society will be %
by 20 feet Extending from east TO west
on the north side is the Library. 81 by 81
feet, with the Librarians room, 13 by 81