VA-SA53 The Carillon

Marker text: THE CARILLON

The Carillon, Virginia's War Memorial for World War I, was erected by the Commonwealth of Virginia to commemorate those who served. Designed by noted Boston architect Ralph Adams Cram, it is an interpretation of the Italian <i>campanile</i> in Georgian classicism. A commission was formed about 1922 to study a design and a site, but public campaigns altered the inital proposal and delayed construction until 1931. The tower was completed and dedicated on 15 October 1932. The Carillon reaches a height of 240 feet and its bells were originally intended to ring out patriotic concerts. The city of Richmond has maintained the structure since its construction.

Department of Historic Resources, 2000