On Sunday, September 12^th,the State of Franklin Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of theAmerican Revolution (NSDAR), are hosting their Eighth Annual Bell Ringing inhonor of Constitution Week. The event will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Oak HillSchool, located at 214 East Sabin Drive in Jonesborough across from theJonesborough Public Library. The program will focus on the history of the FirstAmendment to the Constitution that reads, “Congressshall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; orthe right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Governmentfor a redress of grievances.” The program will honor the freedom of religionwith Reverend Samuel Doak’s speech at the Battle of Kings Mountain, the freedomof the press, and the freedom of assembly. Several heritage groups will be participating,including the Kings Mountain NSSAR, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association,and participation from other local chapters of the NSDAR.  Another treat of this year is the ringing ofa very large locally restored antique bell cast in Ohio, and believed to haverung in church members for worship in upper East Tennessee.

The event will follow CDC guidelines. Social distancingwill be observed on the lawn of the schoolhouse, and there is plenty of spacefor guests to spread out. Please bring your own chair and a bell to ring! Seatingwill not be provided on site. Oak Hill School is currently undergoing arestoration funded through a preservation grant from the NSDAR. The historicbuilding was a school and a site of assembly, so it’s the perfect location tocelebrate the First Amendment and the Constitution.

The Daughters of the American Revolution began thetradition of celebrating the Constitution.  In 1955, the DAR petitionedCongress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for theobservance of Constitution Week.  The resolution was adopted by Congressand signed into law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The State of Franklin Chapter of the NSDAR has been based in Jonesborough since1929.

The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation ofthe architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and toproviding educational experiences related to history and heritage for a widerange of audiences.  For more information, please call our office at423.753.9580, or contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Additional information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.