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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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