The Charters of Freedom Monument (Asheville, NC)
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Dedicated in May 2015, the Charters of Freedom monument is a replica of the displays at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Charters of Freedom are founding documents of the United States and include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This monument allows visitors to see what the original documents look like and additional plaques provide more information about each document. A time capsule was buried at this site and will be recovered on September 17, 2087 in honor of the 300th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution.
Images
The Charters of Freedom monument in Asheville, NC
The four-page display for the U.S. Constitution
The Hall of Charters at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Considering that many citizens of the United States would never be able to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, North Carolina businessman Vance Patterson and his wife wanted to build this monument to bring these founding documents to North Carolina. These three documents, often called "The Charters of Freedom" are an essential part of U.S. history. The monument is an educational site and has been the location of numerous events commemorating U.S. historical events. The letters on the displays are raised so that visitors can easily make rubbings of the documents.
The monument which stands in Pack Square Park in Asheville, NC replicates the National Archives display in Washington, D.C. There are three displays constructed of concrete, granite, and bronze. On the far left is the Declaration of Independence. Four pages of the Constitution are in the center and the Bill of Rights is on the right. The monument also features an informational plaque and dedication plaques. The monument cost a total of almost $78,000 and was dedicated in May 2015. A time capsule was buried at this location and will be opened on September 17, 2087 for the 300th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. There are several other time capsules buried at different locations across the state.
Pack Square Park is next to the Buncombe County Courthouse and hosts a variety of plaques and monuments. The Western North Carolina Veterans Memorial stands next to the Charters of Freedom Monument. Other historical items of interest in the park include markers for the Revolutionary War, Lt. Colonel Robert Morgan, former North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe, and the 60th North Carolina Regiment. Additionally, there are other Charters of Freedom monuments located in Burke and Cherokee counties in the state along with many others outside of North Carolina.
The monument which stands in Pack Square Park in Asheville, NC replicates the National Archives display in Washington, D.C. There are three displays constructed of concrete, granite, and bronze. On the far left is the Declaration of Independence. Four pages of the Constitution are in the center and the Bill of Rights is on the right. The monument also features an informational plaque and dedication plaques. The monument cost a total of almost $78,000 and was dedicated in May 2015. A time capsule was buried at this location and will be opened on September 17, 2087 for the 300th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. There are several other time capsules buried at different locations across the state.
Pack Square Park is next to the Buncombe County Courthouse and hosts a variety of plaques and monuments. The Western North Carolina Veterans Memorial stands next to the Charters of Freedom Monument. Other historical items of interest in the park include markers for the Revolutionary War, Lt. Colonel Robert Morgan, former North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe, and the 60th North Carolina Regiment. Additionally, there are other Charters of Freedom monuments located in Burke and Cherokee counties in the state along with many others outside of North Carolina.
Sources
Barrett, Mark. 'Charters of Freedom' monument proposed downtown. Citizen Times. July 31, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2019. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2014/07/31/charters-freedom-monument-proposed-downtown/13411001/.
Buncombe County Charters of Freedom, Asheville. Commemorative Landscapes. Accessed March 18, 2019. https://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/785/.
Buncombe County Charters of Freedom, Asheville. Commemorative Landscapes. Accessed March 18, 2019. https://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/785/.