Continental Congress Treasure Hunt: Flag

         Opening Night at Continental Congress is something special to see.  The pomp and circumstance of the evening is just breath taking.  The one aspect of the procession that every one want to see is the American flag unfurling from the ceiling at just the perfect moment that it looks like it will touch the top of the head of the President General just as she reaches the center.  It is something to behold!

           Have you ever wondered how that magic is accomplished.  I am going to share with you something that no one else will tell you.  The next time you are there, I want you to be sure to look to see if you see the hand holding the flag in the ceiling.  It is his responsibility to throw the flag at just the right moment in order for it to reach what seems like the President General’s head as she reaches center aisle.  The flag is then raised by its wire to the correct height to allow all in the auditorium to view the platform and screens.

          Each day, the flag has to be rolled in a certain way in order for it to unfurl correctly.  Prior to the procession, a gentleman must make his way in a small opening in the ceiling like a catwalk, lie down positioning himself with flag in hand ready to release, and then wait on the exact moment to let the flag fly.  The next time you are at Continental Congress look for the hand in the ceiling holding the flag.

This will be the last Continental Congress Treasure Hunt posted.  Tomorrow night is opening night.  The business of the society will begin, and many forums presenting information will be held.  You will be busy taking care of chapter business and probably won’t have time to see what I have posted.  I hope that you will take the time to see the few treasures that I have described for you while you are there.

          Just know that this is only the tip of the iceberg as the saying goes when it comes to treasures in our beautiful complex of buildings.  Be sure to take time to visit the Americana Room, the Museum, the period rooms, and the Library to see treasures.  As you walk around the building both inside and out, look up, look down, and notice the intricate details of our buildings.  Stop by the Founders Monument.  See what is blooming in the garden.  I can tell you that even if you spent every minute of your time looking at the treasures in our buildings, you won’t be able to see them all during your time at Continental Congress!

HAPPY HUNTING!

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt: National Historic Landmark plaque

Not only has our building served the DAR for many years and is an integral part of our story, but our building is also an integral part of America’s story as well.

          Our building has been used by Presidents to entertain foreign dignitaries, as the home of symphony orchestras, by the Red Cross during times of war, as sets for movies, television shows, and game shows, and as a concert hall for famous entertainers and shows.  There was one event held at Memorial Continental Hall, however, that would enable it to be named a National Historic Landmark!

         
          On Armistice Day, November 12, 1921, the five principal naval powers of the world at that time—the United States, Great Britain, Italy, France, and Japan—as well as Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, China, and the British Colonies—convened at Memorial Continental Hall to discuss disarmament as well as issues in the Pacific and Far East.  The agreements they reached would become the first arms limitation treaty ever signed.  

 

Based on this historic occasion, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated Memorial Continental Hall a National Historic Landmark with a plaque presented to Eleanor Washington Spicer, President General, at opening night of the 82nd Continental Congress, April 16, 1973.  The plaque stands permanently affixed on the north corner of Memorial Continental Hall on 17th Street.  

Don't forget to take pictures and share.

HAPPY HUNTING!

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt: Constitution Hall Memory Book

          Membership in DAR continued to grow and before long, we had outgrown Memorial Continental Hall.  A new auditorium was needed.  Ground was broken on June 22, 1928, and the corner stone was laid by Mrs. Calvin Coolidge October 30, 1928 with the same trowel that George Washington used to lay the cornerstone for the Capitol in 1793.  Once again, the daughters were asked to raise money for this new building.  Members sent money. States purchased state boxes.  Chapters purchased chairs.   On April 19, 1929, Mrs. Herbert Hoover addressed the assembly during the formal dedication of the building. 

          Constitution Hall is not the treasure today.  Instead, today’s treasure is the Constitution Hall Memory Book.  I love this story and once again, include it in my program “So You Think You Know the DAR,” just as all of the treasures I have presented thus far. 

In 1933, members decided that they wanted to honor all DAR members who contributed to the construction of Constitution Hall.  In 1933, they began a project which would not be completed until 1938 to do just that.  All of the states and many of the chapters overseas were represented with depictions of each state seal in full color along with a list of items contributed to Constitution Hall in this one of a kind volume.  Most gifts given consisted of cash, chairs, and other furnishings.

dedication page of Constitution Hall Memory Book

          The hinges attached to the binding are solid gold.  The insignia is partially cast in platinum.  The DAR committee responsible for the project asked DAR members to send them anything made of gold that could be melted down to make the binding.  Members enthusiastically contributed wedding rings, dental fillings—sometimes with the teeth still attached—and other assorted objects. 

one of the pages of the book demonstrating the artwork of the state seals and contributions

          This book resides in the Office of the Historian General, now the Department of Archives and History, in a glass case.  Tracy Robinson, Department Head, removes the book from its case and shows some of the pages of the book at the end of the week of Continental Congress.  I encourage you to go by and get the exact day and time that the book will be shown.  It is well worth your time to see it when she shows it.  The artwork in the book is absolutely beautiful.  What a treasure!

HAPPY HUNTING!

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt: Memorial Portico

Can you imagine our beautiful Memorial Continental Hall without its portico and columns?  It’s hard to do that, but at one time, those beautiful columns were not there.  

          Members had been called upon to raise money to construct our beautiful building.  Members made pledges, states held various fund raisers to raise the money and chapters even saved a penny a day for a year to help raise the money.  Other parts of the building were given naming rights.  Some of the larger states purchased entire rooms while smaller states purchased windows or doors.  By the first Continental Congress $650 had been raised and would grow to $109,000 by 1902.   In 1906, a debt of $300,000 was still upon the society, and the call to chapters for their continued fund raising efforts was insistent.  In 1908, Continental Hall was bonded for a sum of sufficient to complete the building allowing chapters to return to the work of their state.

          While the planning, selection of site and architect, and construction of Memorial Continental Hall was taking place in Washington, plans to place a monument on the State House grounds for the Revolutionary Generals of South Carolina were at work in South Carolina by the SCDAR.  When the call for funds to build Memorial Continental Hall went out, SCDAR stopped raising funds for the monument and began raising funds for DAR’s home.

Part of the design of the building was to dedicate thirteen columns on the portico in honor of the thirteen original states.  These monolithic columns have the name of the original state carved into its base as well as a beautiful design, but each of the thirteen original states had to pledge and then raise $2000 to pay for their column.

          By 1907, SCDAR State Regent Virginia Bratton was able to report at Continental Congress that SCDAR had raised $1,095 for its column.  At the dedication ceremony for the Memorial Portico in 1908, Bratton had the pleasure of announcing to those in attendance that SCDAR’s column was not a pledge but a reality.  As a result of being the first state to accomplish the actual payment of $2000 for its respective column, Bratton was accorded the honor of carrying the Palmetto Flag at the head of the procession with President General McLean.

          The result of each of the thirteen original states’ efforts is a beautiful portico that connects to the O’Byrne Gallery.  This combination of spaces provides the city with an elegant venue suitable for a variety of occasions including meetings, receptions, and weddings.  The portico’s resemblance to the White House also makes it a desirable location for shooting feature films and television series such as National Treasure and West Wing.

          Enjoy looking at Memorial Portico in a new light during Continental Congress.  SCDAR members, see if you can find the South Carolina column.  Be sure to pay attention to the portico’s grandeur and architectural details from top to bottom that make it so spectacular.   There is more to see out there than first meets the eye now that you know. 

      Also, take the time to view the intricate architectural details of the O’Byrne Gallery.  This is worth the time to see.  Did you know that this was the first location for the Museum?  That’s an entire story for another time.

HAPPY HUNTING!

         

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt: Coats of Arms

If you have heard my program “So You Think You Know the DAR,” then you have heard me read the words of Mrs. Cabell in the first speech in the interest of Continental Hall was made October 1891 at a conference of state and chapter regents.  “What the Society needs most and first is a home.  The women of America want a house where their historic records can be lodged – to grow, it is hoped, into the finest collection of Colonial and Revolutionary literature in the world – a spacious hall where debates and addresses can take place – fireproof apartments where the relics and treasures of the Society can be preserved – a commodious place of business where officers and members can meet for the transactions of their affairs.”

As you have learned already, the cornerstone was laid April 19, 1904, and construction began immediately.  However, the Daughters wouldn’t wait until their home was completed to move in it.  No, the Daughters held their first Continental Congress in Memorial Continental Hall in 1905.  However, special permission had to be obtained for the Daughters to meet in the building since it was not finished and temporary modifications had to be put in place to accommodate the ladies. 

It remained incomplete in 1908, as can be seen in this photo of the opening session of the 17th Continental Congress.  As President General Emily R. McLean delivers her welcoming remarks on Easter Monday morning, April 20th, temporary wiring supported fixtures to illuminate the hall, and bunting covered the walls and the box seating that would soon feature elaborate wrought iron railings that would cap the balconies and the spread eagles that would adorn them.

1908 Continental Congress

Additional decoration was needed for the auditorium.  In March 1907, Mrs. Annie Isabella Robertson, State Vice Regent of the SCDAR, was commissioned by DAR during its National Board Meeting.  It seems that the State Regents of the original 13 states of the DAR through the Memorial Continental Hall Committee commissioned Annie to paint the Coats of Arms of the thirteen original states to be used as decorations.  The committee and regents wanted these to be ready for the next month’s Continental Congress; however, that time frame was impossible.  First, she had to write each state regent of the states on the matter and receive the design of the official state seal which would take time in and of itself.  Then, materials for the coats of arms would have to be ordered, received, and prepared before any painting could begin.  As a result, she agreed to have them ready for the following Continental Congress in 1908.  It is interesting to note that payment of these shields was by the 13 original states and would be owned by the states as well.  These shields were to be placed along the balustrade of the gallery so as to conform to the color scheme of the interior decoration.  They were to be painted on a background of gold. 

Coats of Arms in Library today

          Great care and attention to detail was taken by Annie to make these shields perfect in design and color.  The coats of arms were made of poplar from North Carolina and were crafted by an expert cabinet maker in Asheville.    Engravings of the official state seals were obtained from the state secretaries and were enlarged with pain staking care by Miss Annie Cadwallader Coles.  The painting was completed by Annie, and the lettering of the mottoes of the States was done by Mr. Hamiter of Columbia, SC.

          Before leaving for Washington, these coats of arms were placed on exhibition at the Supreme Court room in the South Carolina State House for two days.  An article appeared in The State newspaper inviting the public to inspect them.   On April 10, 1908, Annie left for Washington carefully taking the 13 coats of arms with her.  She arrived in Washington, DC with time to spare to ensure the proper installation of the coats of arms in time for the opening of Continental Congress on April 20. 

          After completion of the building, the plans were for the original states to take their respective shields and present them to their states.  Annie even talks with pride how she planned to give the South Carolina shield to her state.  NSDAR is fortunate that the states did not take their respective coats of arms with them but left them to continue to adorn our beautiful building.  The coats of arms are hanging in what was the balcony of the auditorium which, as you probably know, is now our library.

         

      Somehow, the United State government learned about these coats of arms and requested the patterns.  Annie presented the designs which were to be cut into marble and used in the Memorial Post Office in York, Pennsylvania.  I am still waiting to receive this information.  When I receive the information, I will be sharing it with you.

          

     One more thing, Annie Robertson was named the heraldic artist for the SCDAR.  In addition, she was named the heraldic artist for the California DAR.  Her ability even had her elected to the newly created office of State Heraldic artist and referee for the Colonial Dames of North Carolina of which she was a member. 

          When you enter the library, be sure to look up on the back wall of the balcony to see the coats of arms from afar.  Have fun exploring the building as you make your way to that level to see the coats of arms up close.  They are beautiful.  SCDAR is especially proud of Annie and her work on this and so much more.  I think you can agree that every DAR member can beam with pride that those coats of arms are the work of a fellow DAR member painted with such precision and care to adorn our beautiful building.

HAPPY HUNTING!

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt - The Montana Spade andTrowel

     The next item in the Continental Congress Treasure Hunt is The Montana Spade. This spade is kept in a glass container in the Office of the Historian General, now known as the Department of History and Archives.  It is in the Americana Room to the left of the Historian General's desk.

     This small shovel was a gift from the Montana State Society.  It is beautifully crafted of special materials.  The spade of the shovel is made of Montana copper.  The handle is made of wood cut from the pathway of Lewis and Clark’s expedition when they first explored what is now the state of Montana.  This is to be inlaid with wood from other historic spots and adorned with silver and gold from the mines of Montana along with Montana sapphires of blue and white - the colors of the National Society. 

     The handle inscription reads: “Columbus, Makers of Farm and Garden Tools.”   The streamers of official ribbon decorating the handle and bearing the names of the thirteen colonies the gift of the Mary Washington Colonial Chapter of New York City.

     You may be asking yourself what is the significance of this small shovel.  The Montana Spade has been used for several historic and significant DAR ceremonies.   The first time is was used was on DAR founder Mary Lockwood used this shovel on October 11, 1902 to break ground for construction on Memorial Continental Hall.  The second time is was used was April 19, 1904 at the Ceremonies of the Laying of the Corner Stone Memorial Continental Hall.  This building served as DAR’s headquarters and was the first of the Society’s three buildings to be built on this property.  

     The spade has also been used by The DAR and the Mount Vernon Ladies Association to celebrate the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s birth with memorial tree plantings.  On April 25, 1982 the shovel was used to plant the Mount Vernon Ladies Association’s gift of a Spicebush in the NSDAR Memorial Garden.  Later the same day, DAR planted an American Holly Tree in honor of Washington at Mount Vernon.

     What is the significance of this spade to SCDAR?  You will have to come to the 2018 state conference to find out!  I will tell you this.  With all of the research that I have done thus far, this remains one of my favorite stories to share.  I will share the entire story with you in March and hopefully have something special to reveal as well.  You could say it is the culmination of the story.  Oh my!  I have said too much already.  

     The next item I want you to see that was used during the ceremonies was the trowel used to place the cornerstone into place.  Once the items were hermetically sealed as I described in the blog concerning the corner stone, this trowel was presented to the grand master Mr. A. J. Wetmore who made the following statement: "The trowel will be used in spreading the cement which shall unite this building into one solid mass.  Remembering that we are all the children of our Father in Heaven, who loves and pities all, may the trowel symbolize to us the spreading of the cement of friendship and affection which should unite the brotherhood of man into a sacred band, among whom no contention should ever exist save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree."  

     Mr. Wetmore then spread a trowel full of cement on the foundation after which a small quantity of cement was spread by President General Fairbanks, and Founders Desha, Walworth, and Lockwood.  The workmen completed the task of preparing the corner stone with cement; then, they swung it into position and lowered it into its place on the foundation where it proudly remains today.
            Happy hunting!

Continental Congress Treasure Hunt - Memorial Continental Hall cornerstone

     In the movie, Beauty and the Beast the song “Bonjour” has a verse that goes

                    Look there she goes that girl is so peculiar
                    I wonder if she's feeling well
                    With a dreamy, far-off look
                    And her nose stuck in a book
                    What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle.

       Well, I can say that my nose has been stuck in books, newspapers, and anything else to help me put our history back together!  I have come across so many interesting items that I thought I had better come up for air and share.  My plan is to post as many days out of the week as time permits.  Some of the blog posts will be short, and some will be long.  It will just depend on what I am sharing that day, and the information I have available to me at the time.

     What a better way to begin than to create a treasure hunt for those of you attending Continental Congress!  There are so many wonderful things that I have already shared in many of my programs that those of you attending Continental Congress can see in person.  For those of you who cannot attend, I will do my best to bring it to life for you through words and pictures.

      Many of the treasures I want to share with you have a connection to SCDAR.  Some of those connections, I will share within the blog.  However, some of those connections you will have to wait and learn about at our 125^th celebration in March. 

     I say it’s a treasure hunt.  Well, kind of.  I am going to tell you where the treasure I want you to find is.  The hunt for you is to find your way around the DAR complex to discover the treasure!  Considering we own an entire city block, and have so many nooks and crannies within, it can be difficult to get around to the less well known places in the building.  Happy hunting!

Are you ready to begin?

     The first treasure I want you to find is the cornerstone of Memorial Continental Hall.  If you have heard my program, “So You Think You Know the DAR?” then you have heard me talk about the ceremony to lay the cornerstone to our first building.

President General Cornelia Fairbanks presides at Cornerstone Laying Ceremony.

     On April 19, 1904 as part of the 13^th Continental Congress, President General Cornelia Fairbanks presided over the ceremonies to lay the cornerstone. The gavel used at the ceremony was the same one George Washington used during the events surrounding the laying of the cornerstone of the National Capitol on September 18, 1793.

program of the ceremony

     More than fifty items were placed within the cornerstone pictured in front of Fairbanks.  The following is a list of the items that were securely wrapped by Mr. Fred D. Owen and deposited in a copper box within the cornerstone by the grand treasurer once read from the list by the grand secretary. 

• The Holy Bible, property of a Revolutionary soldier.
• Copy of the Declaration of Independence.
• Imprint of the seal of the United States
• The American flag.
• The insignia of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Portraits of the founders: Miss Eugenia Washington, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Miss Mary Desha, Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood.
• Original constitution of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and amendment giving right to descend from male or female line.
• Articles of incorporation of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Constitution and by-laws National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
• National society documents and imprint of official seal.
• Portraits of the presidents-general: Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, Mrs. John W. Foster, Mrs. Daniel Manning, Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks.
• The first volume of the lineage book, which contains sketches of the charter members.
• List of active officers and full list of Memorial Continental Hall committee from organization to date.
• Reports of treasurers-general.
• The first and last volumes of the official organ, the American Monthly Magazine.
• Book plate of the society.
• One set of five Washington Monument medals.
• Programmes of the thirteen congresses.
• First printed matter, as issued by Mrs. Keim, regarding Memorial Continental Hall and bill.  Also the last printed matter.
• Report of first committee on architectural programme.  Papers sent out to architects for competition for Memorial Continental Hall.  Also the three designs as selected by committee on architecture and approved by the twelfth continental congress, Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Documents of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution work in Spanish war 1898.
• Histories of the society, by Miss Washington and Miss Desha.
• Copy of memorial service commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the death of George Washington, Church of the Epiphany.
• Portrait of Mary Ball.
• Houdin’s head of Washington.
• Picture of George Washington.
• Picture of Martha Washington.
• Steel engravings of Presidents of United States from Washington to Roosevelt.
• Continental money, dated March 25, 1776.
• Coins of the United States.
• List of contributors to Memorial Continental Hall.
• Contributions from National Society Children of the American Revolution to Memorial Continental Hall.
• History of National Society Children of the American Revolution and poem, “Our Flag of Liberty,” by Mrs. Lothrop.
• Insignia, seal, constitution and by-laws, and list of officers, National Society Children of the American Revolution.
• Official stationery, Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Official ribbon, president-general and society.
• Recognition pin.
• Copies of seals on badges of thirteen original states.
• Engraving of Lafayette.
• Leaflet, statue of Washington for France.
• Specimen stamps, series of 1902, and leaflet of history of the stamps; also Louisiana purchase commemorative series postage stamps, 1904 (complete).
• Copy of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” national hymn.
• Collection of national songs.
• List of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution relics in the Smithsonian Institution.
• Washington Times, containing portrait of president-general, the architect and plan of Memorial Continental Hall.
• Autograph list of clerks at headquarters, Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Portrait of architect and autograph.
• Programmes, 1904
• Directory.
• Invitation and ticket to the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of Memorial Continental Hall.
• First copy of programme of ceremonies of laying corner stone of Memorial Continental Hall.
• Autograph of Mr. Owen, designer of the court.
• Constitution of grand lodge.
• Proceeding of grand lodge, 1903.
• Masonic calendar, 1904.
• Newspaper of current date.

The box was then hermetically sealed and placed in the receptacle.

So when you look at the cornerstone, know that the aforementioned items are there!

ceremony from the back of the seating for guests

     You want to know something else?  A block of marble was sent from the White House after the committee had received the granite slab.  The inscription on the marble slab reads, “From the home of the first president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution.”  It’s a shame that slab could not be used as the cornerstone; however, Mr. J. Veihmeyer, who provided the cornerstone used, refused to receive any compensation once he learned the purpose for which the slab was to be used.  Unfortunately, no one knows where the marble slab from the White House is located.  We know it is somewhere in the Memorial Continental Hall section of the complex, but it is not visible.  You would think it would be in some place prominent unless the workers did not realize what it was and stuck it somewhere that hid it from view.  If only it could be found!

President General Fairbanks making address at the ceremony.

     Why is this significant to SCDAR?  Our own Sara Richardson was a member of the committee to select a site for the home of the DAR!   According to a history written by the Columbia Chapter, Sara even brought an address before the assembly during the ceremony. Unfortunately, there is no mention of that in the available information on the event nor is there a transcript of the event to determine if she made an address.  I am still on the hunt though.  If I discover anything more, I will keep you posted.

Please take a picture of the actual cornerstone by itself as well as you beside it and send it to me.  I want to know how many of you have found the treasure.