The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-13
MARBLE HOME OF
D. A. R. TO HOUSE
ARMS CONFERENCE
100000 Structure Is Dedi-
Gated to Patriots Who
Achieved American
independence
BY Associated Press


Washington, November 12.-Memo-
rial Continental hall, the white mar
BILE home of the National Society OF
Daughtets of the American Revolu-
tom where the general sessions OF
the arms conference will be held, Is
dedicated To the patriots who achieved
American independence. 1t is stu
ated west of the Presidents park, on
Seventeenth street, on the site of
residence of James Madison
Designed by Edward Pearce Casey
of New York, the erection of the
| structure was undertaken by the
daughters in April, 1904, at a cost
of 100000 1t is built of Vermont
marble and In design and general
appearance resembles the classical
buildings erected during the Ameri-
can revolutionary period. 1t Is nj
fellow of its neighboring structures,
the Pan American and Red Cross
buildings The front portico, the outer
columns of which are adjacent to the
sidewalk on Seventeenth street, pro-
vides for a carriage drive and leaves
the visitor at the entrance steps,
where three bronze memorial doors
give, access into the reception hall.
within the entire building the note
of the continental period is carried
out with colonial decorations ana
furniture, and many excellent
pieces" of mahogany bring forth
thoughts of the cherished heirlooms
in grandfathers houses. Many OF
the rooms and portions of the build
ing are the gifts of or were furnished
BY Individual chapters of the national
society.
For example. the spacious entrance
hall is the gift of the Pennsylvania
chapters In nitches, forming the
frieze, are marble statues of revoiu'
tionary heroes from several states. "a
north and south staircase, both me-
mortal gifts lead above to the gal
leries and committee rooms'
VIII Seat 1000
Opening directly from the vestibule
Is the auditorium, which, with It's
three gallaries, has a seating capacity
of 1900 people. For the arms con
| ference, however, the seats on the
| ground floor have been removed ana
the floor raised to the level of the
! platform on the west side of the hall.
| Here will be set up the u" shape q
council table, measuring over lVO
feet around its three sides, where the
| delegates to the conference Will SIT
Visitors and representatives of the
press will be seated in the gallery
The auditorium is a beautiful IN
spring room with cream tinted walls,
decorated with the garlands or trdlts
and foliage, and fitted With mahosa any
furnishings. High above Is roof OF
ground glass, divided into ornamented
squares. Each state of the union Is
represtented by flag hanging from
the cornace Set into the east gal
lery railing is an illuminated CLOCK
bearing the arms of Maryland and the
insignia of the society.
In the galleries to the north ana
south hang oil paintings of WASH
ington at Dorchester Heights py
1 Cobb, and Martha Washington py
Prof. E. F. Andrews, both gifts to the
society. On either side of the stage :
like platform two boxes are raised
slightly above the lev 81 of the floor
and set within the ploscenium arch'
affording an excellent view OF the
proceedings on the floor
Treasures on Exhibit
other finely furnished rooms on the
first floor serve as offices for the
national officers, library and a mu-
scum where are exhibited treasures
of great historic value, among them
John Hancock's desk.
On the south side of the building
overlooking the Pan : American
grounds, projects a semi-circular por-
tico, the roof of which is supported
by 10 monolithic marble columns pre-
scented by the thirteen original states.
On the second floor are the offices
of president general, and reception
room furnished with chairs and desks
of the colonial period ard historical
oil paintings. spacious room is re-
served for the meetings of the ma
tional board; 1t is known as the Con-
necticut room. Among the furnish
ings are 10 covered chairs bearing on
their high backs the coats of arms or
the 10 original states.
The window draperies are of blue
satin embroidered in gold, and the
l1ce curtains are woven in star and
stripe design.
other offices and rooms on the sec
ond floor include the recording and
corresponding secretaries rooms. the
Massachusetts, room furnished like an
old colonial parlor with authentic
furniture; the California and Mich
Eigan rooms and the committee room,
furnished by the Daughters, of the
state of New Jersey panneled and
furnished in wood from the old Brit
| Ish frigate Augusta. This room and
the national board room are available
as committee rooms for the arms DEL
cgates.
On the third floor there is a private
dining room prepared by Virginia,
several small committee rooms and a
banquet hall combining in its decor.
alive design the colors of the society,"
The blending OF blue and white on
the wall and ceiling decorations is
emphasized by the darker blue hair,
cloth on the mahogany cairs and sofa
Suitable serving rooms and a larg,
kitchen adioin the handuet hall and
make for efficient service in the event
of formal dinner.