Nation’s founding documents coming to Carson City with permanent display

Carson City will be the first location in the western United States to host a permanent display of America’s founding documents, organizers with Carson City Charters of Freedom and Foundation Forward, Inc., have announced.

Exact replicas of the United States Constitution, its Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence — known collectively as the Charters of Freedom — will be located on the grounds of the Carson City Courthouse complex, located at 885 East Musser Street.

“The Charters of Freedom will be an excellent teaching resource for parents and educators, and will enlighten all of our citizens on our founding documents,” stated Foundation Forward, Inc., a registered 501(c)3 federal non-profit based in Morganton, North Carolina. “These settings will also honor the services of all of our proud men and women of the military.”

Copies of the historical documents will be etched on quarter-inch bronze plates, secured safely under lighted, damage-resistant glass, and mounted on carved granite settings.

This will be the first such display in any state west of the Mississippi River, said Andrew Young, Director of Communications and Resources at Foundation Forward.

So far 13 settings have been completed and dedicated nationwide since 2014, he said. Three are also currently under construction, including the display at the Carson City Courthouse.

Ground was broken there on April 6 and installation is expected to be completed by May 5, Young said.

Total cost of the project setting is $75,000 and is being off-set by generous donations of time and materials from local businesses, Young said, including Newt Concrete Construction, Meeks Hardware and Lumber, American Ready Mix, and 3D concrete.

More than $3,500 in individual gifts have also been received to help fund the Carson City Charters of Freedom installation, which is all privately funded.

“Foundation Forward does not receive any government funding,” Young said.

Instead, private donations as well as purchases of personalized memorial pavers fund the Charters of Freedom installations.

“To accomplish our mission of placing these historic, educational displays in communities across the country, we are asking community members to remember a veteran, loved one, family, organization or yourself by getting a personalized paver for installation at the Charters of Freedom display,” he said.

Young said said when Foundation Forward co-founder Vance Patterson made his presentation to the Carson City Board of Supervisors in December 2017, the project received broad enthusiasm.

“It’s an easy project for community leaders to support,” he said. “The beautiful displays replicate how our founding documents are viewed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and will be a source of pride for many generations in Carson City.”

Charters of Freedom Carson City got its start through local resident Chuck Slavin, who Young said had learned about Foundation Forward and approached founders Vance and Mary Jo Patterson about bringing an installation to Northern Nevada.

“With Patterson’s support, Chuck and Ken Brown approached Mayor [Bob] Crowell to see if the mayor and the Board of Supervisors would support bringing the Charters of Freedom to Carson City,” he said. “Vance, Ken and Chuck made a presentation to the Carson City Board of Supervisors on December 7, 2017. The Board unanimously supported the project.”

Young said the long-term goal of Foundation Forward is to place the Charters of Freedom within easy access of every community across the United States. The installations are free and open to the public, he said.

“All citizens, including school groups and veterans, will enjoy this powerful educational tool to learn the basis of the many rights and freedoms that we enjoy in the United States,” Young said. “We are honored that Carson City has made this possible.”

An unveiling event is being planned for the Carson City Charters of Freedom setting in June, he said.

“Foundation Forward is working with community leaders to schedule a memorable ceremony in June 2018 that school groups, families, veterans and anyone passionate about their hometown will truly enjoy,” he said.

For more information or to make donations, contact Chuck Slavin at cslavin@nvbell.net or 775-762-2662, or Ken Brown at kenbrown@gbis.com or 7775-888-2008.

Also visit the Carson City Charters of Freedom web site to learn more about the project and Foundation Forward, Inc.

Online donations can be made at https://www.chartersoffreedom-carsoncity.com/take-action/