Thanks-Giving Square
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Thanks-Giving Square is an open area in downtown Dallas, Texas that is dedicated to promoting the concept of giving thanks as a universal, human value. The area was designed by architect Philip Johnson and was completed in 1976.
Thanksgiving_ground_mosaic.jpg
The most prominent and recognizable feature of Thanks-Giving Square is the Chapel of Thanksgiving, a small, spiral tower that features an enclave for prayerful thanks. The entrance to the chapel is at the end of a 125 foot (38 m) bridge that runs over a cascading waterfall. Inside the chapel, the spiral is topped with stained glass windows, leaving a flood of color when looking up in the chapel. Collectively, the stained glass, which was designed by Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France is called the Glory Window. It was designed to feature brighter colors as the spiral reached its apex, becoming brighter and brighter as it reached the center.
Outside the entrance to the courtyard is the Court of All Nations and the Wall of Praise. The Wall of Praise features a portion of the text from Psalms 100 and a mosaic based on Norman Rockwell's, The Golden Rule. From the Wall of Praise, visitors are led to a 50 foot (15 m) bell tower that features three bronze bells designed in the form of the Liberty Bell. The bells ring on every hour.
Just before the Bell Tower is the Ring of Thanks Circle of Giving. The 14-foot diameter aluminum ring is covered in 23 carat (96%) gold leaf and invites the visitor to pass through the ring before entering the courtyard of Thanks-Giving Square.
The courtyard itself is surrounded by running water, featuring waterfalls and aqueducts throughout the courtyard. The area contains many grassy areas and is a popular place to visit in the downtown Dallas area, especially during lunch hour during the week.
Thanks-Giving Square is operated by the Thanks-Giving Foundation at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith organization, who implements the Multifaith Exploration and Exchange Program, a program that operates out of Thanks-Giving Square that is dedicated to the pursuit of understanding between different faiths and religions.
External link
- Thanks-Giving Square (http://www.thanksgiving.org/)