Robert A. Taft Memorial

Bottom Line: A statue of Senator Robert A. Taft stands proudly where he can enjoy the beautiful sounds of the carrilon.
Two things that make the memorial to Robert A Taft, son of 27^th President William Taft, unique are (1) its a memorial for a Senator and (2) it includes a lovely carrilon that rings every fifteen minutes and resonates throughout the Capital Hill area. On the hour the carrilon plays a little melody while at 15 after the hour, on the half hour and at quarter to the hour, it just plays a few notes. In a sense, you can appreciate this monument and the pure melodies its produces without being within line of sight of the memorial.
The carrilon is a 10 story tall marble tower with 27 bells. The statue of «Mr. Republican» Taft at the base is cast in bronze. Additionally, there is a fountain that surrounds the tower and operates in the warmer months. The entire memorial sits inside a little park just off of the Mall and not too far from the Capital building.

I might not have noticed the tower had I not been passing as the bells sounded the hour. I can’t say I remember this Taft from history classes I took in the previous millennium, but I agree heartily with the libertarian quotations carved into the sides of the shaft.

Yeah, Sen. Taft was a shit bag, but it is a nice place. I’d love to hear more of the bells.