Two Amarillo chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host public observances downtown on Thursday, Sept. 17, part of events recognizing U.S. Constitution Week, which runs annually from Sept. 17-23. The activities — a bell-ringing ceremony and a public reading of the Preamble — are open to the community and scheduled at city landmarks in the civic core.
Bell-ringing at the Jay Marvin Jones Federal Building
The Esther McCrory Chapter of the DAR will gather near the front steps of the Jay Marvin Jones Federal Building, 205 SE 5th St., corner of SE 5th and Taylor, to "honor the birth of the US Constitution 239 years ago," the chapter said in an announcement. The event will begin at 2:50 p.m. and community members are encouraged to bring a bell of any size to participate.
The chapter noted the traditional “Ringing of the Bells” that commemorates the first public readings of the Constitution in 1787. Participants are asked to ring in unison at 3 p.m. Central Time (4 p.m. Eastern) on Sept. 17 and then recite the Preamble together. Copies of the Preamble will be distributed at the event.
"Come join us as we celebrate and commemorate this special anniversary," the Esther McCrory Chapter said in its invitation.
For additional information about the Esther McCrory Chapter's observance, the chapter’s Commemorative Events Chair and Constitution Week Co-Chair, Jeanne Ann Gibson, can be reached at 806-282-1733.
Preamble reading at Potter County District Court steps
The Molly Goodnight Chapter will host a public reading of the Preamble on the steps of the Potter County District Court Building, 350 SE 6th St. That event is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, and the public is invited to attend and listen as the Preamble is read aloud.
Sherrel Reeser, regent of the Molly Goodnight Chapter, emphasized the ongoing relevance of the Constitution:
"Constitution Week is celebrated annually to commemorate its history and importance, as well as bring attention to how it still serves us today."
What Amarillo residents should know
Both events are located in downtown Amarillo and timed so residents can attend one or both ceremonies. They provide a low-barrier opportunity for civic education and public commemoration of the document signed in Philadelphia on Sept. 17, 1787. The Esther McCrory Chapter’s bell-ringing follows a tradition the group said recalls how bells once summoned people to hear the Constitution's first public reading.
- Esther McCrory Chapter — Jay Marvin Jones Federal Building, 205 SE 5th St.; event begins 2:50 p.m.; bell ringing at 3 p.m. CT; Contact: Jeanne Ann Gibson, 806-282-1733.
- Molly Goodnight Chapter — Potter County District Court Building, 350 SE 6th St.; Preamble reading at 4:30 p.m.
- Both events are public and free to attend.
| Event | Location | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bells Across America ceremony | Jay Marvin Jones Federal Building, 205 SE 5th St. | 2:50 p.m. (ring at 3 p.m. CT) |
| Preamble reading | Potter County District Court Building, 350 SE 6th St. | 4:30 p.m. |
These observances are part of a national recognition of Constitution Week, a period intended to highlight the origins and ongoing significance of the United States Constitution. Amarillo residents attending can expect a short civic program and the opportunity to participate in a community reading and the symbolic bell ringing.
Organizers encourage attendees to arrive a few minutes early to receive printed copies of the Preamble and to find seating or standing room at the designated sites. The events are outdoors; attendees should plan accordingly for weather and street access in downtown Amarillo on the afternoon of Sept. 17.
For questions about the Esther McCrory Chapter observance, contact Jeanne Ann Gibson at the number provided. Additional details about the Molly Goodnight Chapter event have been released through the chapter’s announcement and via local community channels.
