Photo by David Culver
Did you know that we have our own Madonna of the Trail in Beallsville, PA? I was first fully aware of the Madonnas of the Trail when our PSSDAR board of directors voted to fund the restoration of Pennsylvania’s Madonna of the Trail. (Our site’s handy railing had been knocked over in a car accident)
Though I was not able to attend the rededication of the statue earlier this year, I very much enjoyed Honorary President General Van Burren’s fine blog post of her visit published on July 21, 2021. https://blog.dar.org/monumental-visit-pennsylvania-daughters
To honor the bravery and grit of those women who were pioneers moving westward in the early 19th century, the NSDAR commissioned 12 identical 10-foot-tall statues by sculptor August Leimbach which are viewable in 12 states through which the Old Trails Road passed (which includes parts of Old Forbes Road/Old Sante Fe Trail/Route 66) from Maryland to California. The Madonnas were dedicated in 1928/29.
Our Pennsylvania Madonna of the Trail was awarded to Washington County who placed it across the highway from the Nemocolin Country Club on Route 40.
These Madonnas of the Trail silently bear witness to all who travel by them the strength of American women. They are also a wonderful example of how DAR keeps the accomplishments of our ancestors in the public eye yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Comments