Brass versions of the U.S. founding documents coming to Randolph

ASHEBORO — On May 14, a crew from Foundation Forward poured eight cubic yards of concrete into five wooden forms as the foundation for the Charters of Freedom monuments to reside there.

The monuments, featuring the founding documents of the United States, will be on Worth Street beside the Randolph County Courthouse. 

On display will be the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Civil Rights. There will also be a smaller donors pedestal.

Once completed, the larger Constitution monument will contain a time capsule to be filled with items that will be removed at some time in the future. 

When the concrete is set and bricks laid to encase the foundations, the crew, based in Valdese, will return to place pre-cast concrete capstones on the foundations then set on top the brass enscripted plaques which will be encased under glass.

The Charters of Freedom was founded by Vance and Mary Jo Patterson of Burke County after visiting the National Archives in Washington, DC, in 2011. Seeing the documents signed by our nation’s fathers was an emotional experience which they wanted to share with others who may not have the opportunity to visit Washington.

So the Pattersons decided to bring the documents to the people, in the form of monuments that can be viewed by the public near their homes.

While Charters of Freedom reaches communities across the country, the immediate goal is to have the founding documents in all 100 North Carolina counties during this 250th anniversary of the United States.

Each county is expected to cover the costs of site preparation, paving, walkways and ancillary landscaping. 

The Randolph County Commissioners gave their approval for the project back in November.

The Randolph Hub will document the work being done as the Charters of Freedom process continues, as well as the dedication ceremonies.