Memorial and bell tower for the former senator and son of President William Howard Taft
The Robert A. Taft Memorial honors the three-term senator from Ohio. This memorial includes a 10 foot statue of the senator and a 100 foot bell tower. Two quotes about liberty and representative democracy are engraved on either side of the tower. My favorite detail, however, is the art deco eagle on the door at the back of the bell tower.
The 27 bells inside the Taft Memorial’s carillon are usually played using an electronic mechanism but can also be manually rung. The bell tower rings out a few notes every 15 minutes with a longer tune on the hour. A melody plays twice a day at 11:00am and 5:00 pm. In addition, the bells ring at 2:00 pm on the 4th of July in observance of the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. This is mandated by the 1963 Senate Concurrent Resolution 25.
The area around the Taft Memorial is shady with several benches. During the summer, passersby may miss this obscure memorial, as it is partially hidden by the large, leafy trees in the park. It is surrounded by a water feature with fountains. I have personally never seen the fountains running, which leaves the water stagnant. Murky, standing water probably isn’t what the architect envisioned, and detracts from the overall aesthetic.
Many visitors, locals, and Congressional staffers pass by the memorial, stop to rest on a bench, or eat lunch under the shade trees without realizing the history or legacy of Robert A. Taft. He has been variously described as “Mr. Republican” and an “arch conservative.” Senator Taft’s policy positions remain divisive, but he was selected as one of the “Famous Five” senators to have their portraits hung in the Senate Reception Room and is regarded by some historians as one of the most powerful senators in history.
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Address
Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue NW and First Street NW
Metro Station
- Union Station (RD)
- Capitol South (OR, BL, SV)
Cost
Free
Hours
Open 24 hours but best in the daylight
Length of Adventure
15 minutes
Website
https://www.aoc.gov/capitol-grounds/robert-taft-memorial-and-carillon
