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NJDAR at Valley Forge Washington Memorial Chapel

  • Washington Memorial Chapel Pennsylvania 23 Valley Forge, PA United States (map)

The Washington Memorial Chapel is both a national memorial dedicated to General George Washington and an active Episcopal parish in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The church was inspired by a sermon preached by Anglican minister Reverend Dr. W. Herbert Burk, founder and first rector of the parish. Milton B. Medary designed the building.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 2017, and is undergoing an active restoration campaign. The National Patriots Bell Tower was a later addition to the Chapel and houses its carillon. The 102 ft (31 m) tower was built entirely with funds raised by members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) over a period of more than a decade. Construction began in 1941 but was suspended due to World War II and restarted in 1949. The bell tower was completed and dedicated in 1953.

The Justice Bell (Women's Liberty Bell) is on permanent display in the bell tower chamber. It was forged in 1915 as a nearly identical replica of the Liberty Bell and became an instrumental symbol of the Women's Suffrage movement. In 1920, after touring many parts of the country to promote the passing of the 19th Amendment, the bell was stored on the grounds of Valley Forge National Park before being permanently moved to the bell tower chamber in 1943.

The bell tower contains a traditional carillon with a keyboard of 58 bells. The first 14 bells (from the Meneely Bell Foundry) were installed in a temporary wooden tower in 1926, and the number of bells expanded over the course of three decades. Fifty-six bells were installed in the bell tower in 1953 and expanded to 58 bells in 1963 with two bells from the Fonderie Paccard in France.

A resident carillonneur plays the bell tower regularly. Formal and informal concerts are held throughout the year and are open to the public.

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NJSSAR Fall Board of Managers Meeting and Luncheon

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November 6

Princeton Battlefield Society, Cadawalader Lecture Series