Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-04-08
Memorial Continental Hall.
Mrs. Donald Mclean in National MONTH

building is situated in Washington, the
Nations Capital, upon a site facing Wash
lnetOn's Monument to the east and looking
down the stored Potomac on the south
the Corcoran Art Gallery being Just north,
while the White House grounds are ada
cent. The Hall is known as Memorial Con-
tinental Hail.
The land and building are worth half a
million dollars three hundred thousand
dollars Of this sum have been raised in
cash, by contributions from Daughters of
the American Revolution in every State
and Chapter, D. A. R., in this country, and
by those in our colonial possessions and In
sister Republics; the sums contributed have
varied from one dollar to one thousand
dollars, individually. From one Chapter
has been received gift of five, thousand
dollars, while many Of the States have az
eregated. In successive years. many thous-
ands each.
Having accumulated the three hundred
thousand dollars, In cash. during the soci-
etys existence, and invested it in land and
the partial rearing Of the building, II was
determined by the organization, In April,
i9OS, TO raise, by lein upon the property,
the sum of two hundred thousand dollars
with which to push to final completion the
l
fected readily and upon such terms as to
reflect great credit upon the responsible
financial standing. in the business and
banking world. Of the National Society, D.
AR.
Today. Memorial Continental Hall stands
complete and occupied. II Is a perfect
specimen OF pure colonial architecture,
| austere yet ornate, complete in every as
pect from the giant monoliths and fluted and
| carven columns, to the most minute perfec-
ton Of detail, as evidenced in the cut-glass
pine-apples surmOunting the newel-posts Of
the winding balustrades of the marble
stair-cases. Terraced grounds surround
the glistening pile. whose exterior is of
milk-white marble, and the Star Spangled
Banner floats from the roofs apex, keeping
watch and ward over the Daughters going
out and coming in. from this time forth,
forevermore
Although Continental Hall is designed
primarily as memorial to the heroes and
heroines Of the Revolution. 1t is reared with
view to practical purposes, also. The
beautiful auditorium. seating two thousand
people. in pure, white relief work, glass
paneled roof, and corridors cOmm0dious,
white enameled. with leather upholstered
chairs, is used for the Continental Con-
crosses when the ID. A. X. meet in patriotic
c0nclave, every April, upon the date the
l9th-when was fought the first real battle
Of the Revolution. Hence. why will on
lockers continually and tiresomely express
surprise and panied wonder, that the
Daughters" occasionally exhibit trucu-
lent spirit of their own on such anniversary
This auditorium Is used, too, for gather
ings Of a literary and musical nature !;
charity benefits Of a certain peculiarly
touching class are held here entertain
ments Of a patriotic character, or to raise
money for patriotic objects. such as the
Rough Riders" monument. and perhaps
the Maine memorials at home within
Its walls Several times stirring missionary
meetings have gathered under its roof OF
notable interest was that one Of the Inter
national and INSTRUMENTATION mission
airy movement held in the autumn Of 1909,
when President Taft spoke from the ros-
trum from whence the President-General.
National Society Daughters Of the Ameri-
can Revolution presides over the COntinen-
tai Congresses.
A fire-prOOf museum. in which will be
placed and cared for the priceless relics
daily being presented to the organization,
TANKS the auditorium to the left of the
anu u thC-PtOOi hWdiy ~ vi TIC
right. II is confidently hoped that the vol
umes and records in this library, already
valuable, will one day be known as the
finest genealogical collection in the country
The entrance vestibule Of Memorial Con-
tinental Hall Is Of statue-like. white sculp-
ture marble, in fiat pillars and panels TO
| the ceiling. This vestibule was contributed
by the Keystone State. Set in the frieze,
there are inches around the top Of the pan
| cling. in which will be placed marble busts
of the statesmen and officers Of the RevO-
lutionary period. In this vestibule is now
set the rare bronze panel presenting COM
pOsite imaginative bas-relief Of our early
illustTi0us Americans. as seen by the mind s.
eye Of famous French sculptor. and pre-
scented by his daughter to the Society ID. A.
R.. three years ago.
A fountain will flow, in ripping cadence
to cool the heated brOw-Or discussion
upon the opposite side of the marble
wall Great bronze memorial doors, three
pairs give entrance to this Mecca of the
true patriot. These doors are gifts Of an
individual d. A. r.. and of a State famous
in the Sisterhood Of Commonwealth.
Many Of the Sovereign States of the
Union have contributed the necessary
thousands TO build. finish and furnish rooms,
to be known by the names Of the various
States. respectively, and to be used by the
many business departments Of the Society.
as offices.
1.-THE world could not contain the vol
umes" were each room to be adequately
described but to that staunch State. small
In territory, but of magnitude in history
and its battles New Jersey must be given
the palm. The ID. A. X. Of New Jersey
conceived the entirely original idea Of rails
ing the submerged frigate Augusta. sunk
in New Jersey waters for well over cen
fury, its associations redOlent Of our victo-
ries on water as well as on land. and Its
wood colOred and hardened by time and
tide. A dark silvery- grained effect was
brought out by polishing. and the hand
carver discovered the wood TO be of a sub
stance almost as durable as quarried gran
lite. From this wood were made panels
from floor to raftered-roof and furniture
Of table, settle" and high-back chairs, In
absolutely correct design for the early peri
cd, represented and deliberately hand-carv.
en-. This Room, for II deserves capital
r, Is a gem Of such "purest ray serene"
that visit TO the Hall TO see II, alone.
would be more than rewarded.
The room Of the President General is
furnished by the combined gifts Of Indiana.
the State Of the first President General
Mrs Benjamin Harrison and Of a New
York City Daughter Of the American Rev0-
luton. who presented a large sum for the
purpose, through the President General
from -1909-the present writer.
The wide French" windows are hung
with lace curtains and canary colored bro
cade, In colonial design the doors are
hung with double portieres Of the same
brocade. with heavy cords and tassels
the Martha Washington" winged chair is
covered similarly. A rug to harmonic
will cover the center Of the room, and
fine tiger skin. gift Of Chicago Daughter,
is before the open fireplace. A superb
tall, chime clock Is placed In the room by
the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter; and
the remainder Of the room Is in handsome
mahogany
The Board Room" is 80 exquisitely ee-
CANT In It's cleaning white enamel finish
and crystal electroliers, that II would be
worthy the seating Of even Trust Mag
mates, In fact. IL does so harb0r the mag
mates Of the undying trust in American