The Wall of History

The 170-foot long Wall of History presents an overall time-line of the establishment of the Knights of Columbus and the many activities and program it supports. Free-standing kiosks devoted to each of the Order’s supreme Knights of Columbus punctuate the time-line.

Part I of the Wall of History is a chronology of the Order's early years, from 1882 to the 1920s, through a tumultuous period of American and world history. Freestanding panels parallel the timeline, presenting the Order's leadership from the first supreme knight, James T. Mullen (1882-86), to the sixth supreme knight, James A. Flaherty (1909-27).

Dividing the two sections of the wall is a Media Information Center, featuring interactive computer stations that use a touch-screen technology to provide the visitor with extensive information about the Knights of Columbus' history, organization and outreach. In addition, the electronic display provides both current and historical information on the various state councils and clips from the video library.

Part II of the Wall of History traces the Order's history from the 1920s to the dawn of the third millennium. It parallels the dramatic leadership of the next seven supreme knights, from Martin H. Carmody (1927-39) to Carl A. Anderson (2000-present).

Girders from the World Trade Center

A portion of the Wall of History is devoted to the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001 and mentions the new Knights of Columbus $1 Million Heroes Fund created to provide immediate financial support to the families of the law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel killed at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Included are two twisted steel girders from the ruins of the World Trade Center, a plaque featuring the names of K of C members who lost their lives in the attack and a helmet from a high-ranking New York City firefighter who also lost his life.

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Ambassador of Peace Doves for Our Pope
Paper-mâché based materials; metal, polychrome
L Baldini ; R. Rocca.; G. Baggio
Circa 1999 - 2000
Gift of His Holiness Pope John Paul II and expressly from the Pontifical Household

A sculpture gift originally presented to Pope John Paul II by a group of artists for the holy father's efforts to promote world peace.

Four white doves, an aviary symbol for peace, are delicately perched among the branches of an olive tree. The olive branch has always been regarded as a symbol of peace, and appears as such in allegorical paintings of peace.

In the Old Testament, the dove typified both peace and the ritual of purity. The dove that Noah sent forth from the ark in search of dry land returned with an olive branch (Gn 8:11). In this passage, the olive branch is symbolic of the peace God made with man.

It was one of the items included in the Knights of Columbus Museum's 2003 exhibit entitled: John Paul II: A Passion for Peace.

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Lamp of Peace
Designer: Sister M. Agar Loche, PDDM
Gift of His Holiness Pope John Paul II through Monsignor Paolo de’Niglio, Regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household

Oil lamp used by His Holiness Pope John Paul II during the World Peace summit hosted by the Vatican at Assisi, Italy, January 24, 2002.

Pope John Paul II called for this pilgrimage in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 200 religious leaders from around the world made the trip with John Paul II, including nearly 30 Muslim imams, a dozen rabbis, members of 15 Christian denominations, Hindus, Buddhists, Quakers and others.

On Sept. 11, 2002 the lamp was used by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in the lighting of candles at the Holy Mass and Ceremony “One Nation Under God,” Day of Remembrance on the occasion of the 2002 Supreme Assembly meeting, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. The observance also commemorated the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 and the terrorist attacks on America.

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Letter from President Eisenhower
(typed letter signed)
President Dwight D. Eisenhower to Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart
August 6, 1954

Written on the occasion of the 72nd annual Supreme Council meeting in Louisville, President Dwight Eisenhower thanked the Order for their contribution and part in the movement in having the words under God” inserted in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Knights of Columbus was the leading proponent of the 1954 addition of the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. U.S. Knights began including the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance in 1951 after the organization’s board of directors adopted a resolution mandating that the amended pledge be formally recited in each of its 750 Fourth Degree assemblies. A year later, the Supreme Council adopted a resolution that urged Congress and the White House to add the words “under God” to the Pledge. Supreme Knight Luke Hart, who was also president of the National Fraternal Congress, persuaded the other 110 fraternal societies to support the resolution as well. The Pledge of Allegiance was formally amended by Congress and signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. In a letter following the action, President Eisenhower thanked Supreme Knight Hart for the K of C’s work in making the addition of the words “under God,” to the Pledge a reality.

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Bell from St. Peter's Oratory

Bronze bell from the original Pontifical St. Peter's Oratory, the first K of C playground in Rome, dedicated April 9, 1924. Established at the request of Pope Benedict XV for the needy children of Rome after World War I, the project was completed under the pontificate of Pope Pius XI.

Located in the shadows of St. Peter's Basilica, the property was later donated to the Vatican for the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall. The facility was relocated to a section of Rome on Gelsomino Hill.

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Ceremonial 4th Degree Sword
Nickel-plated steel, aluminum, painted wood, 1900
Mfg.: Ames Sword Co., Chicopee, Mass.
Distributed by Lynch & Kelly, Utica, N.Y.
Gift of Supreme Physician Dr. John H. Griffin,1966-84

The sword of the Fourth Degree serves as part of the color corps' dress and signifies Christian knighthood. Early vintage models bore the image of the eagle of the Republic (open wings, side-faced) at the top of the hilt.

The guard displays oak leaves and acorns (symbolic of faith and endurance), while the guard flange displays a Phrygian-style “Liberty Cap” and the emblem of the Order flanked by two Roman short swords.

The upper band of the scabbard carries a Maltese cross encased in a laurel wreath, while the foot displays the Great Seal of the Republic.

This sword was used by Maryland State Advocate Dr. Edward P. McDevitt at the first Grand Exemplification in New York City, 1900. McDevitt was a member of Marquette Council 380 and was one of several Knights from Maryland who participated in the historic event. Later, he became master of the Fourth Degree in Maryland, 1904-1913.

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Loving Cup - Follow the Boy who Follows the Flag
Sterling
International Silver Co., Meriden, Conn., c. 1918

A loving cup was presented to Edward A. Sheehan, Feb. 18, 1918, at a closing testimonial of the executive committee for the New Haven area Knights of Columbus War Fund. Sheehan served as the chairman and raised some $82,000 in cash and pledges, going well over the $75,000 estimate.

Father Henry Cassidy, the first state chaplain of the American Legion and Knight made the presentation saying “it represented the love of the boys in the service, the love of the men and women who took part in the campaign, and the love of the people of New Haven whose generosity made the drive a success.”

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Porcelain Vase

Sèvres Vase d’Albi. Vitreous porcelain with applied pastes, “Cities of Normandie.” By Taxile Doat with collaboration of Charles-Célestin Lucas, c. 1901. Gift of the Republic of France in gratitude of the Knights' war relief effort in World War I. Presented to the Order during the historic 1920 European Peace Pilgrimage.

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War Worker's Medal
Bronze, silk
Designer: Lee F. Conrey (American, 1883-1976)
Mfg.: Whitehead & Hoag, 1918

A bronze war worker's ribbon badge was commissioned by the Supreme Council to recognize the patriotic service of all Knights of Columbus workers of World War I. Every man and woman who took an active part in the relief work was acknowledged.

Obverse: A K of C Secretary at the front administering to a wounded doughboy in the Argonne Forest, France. The reverse carries the recognition of service.

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Chaplain's Medal
Bronze, c. 1918-1919
After William Balfour-Ker (American, 1877-1918)
Mfg.: Whitehead & Hoag, c.1918-1919
Gift of Nashua Council 122, Nashua, New Hampshire.

Commissioned Catholic chaplains were provided by the National Catholic War Council (NCWC). They were augmented by auxiliary chaplains who were funded by the Knights of Columbus. Because the Knights' chaplains were not part of the military, most of their service was behind the lines.

The Order chose to recognize the patriotic labors of these chaplains by the presentation of this commemorative medal.

Obverse: Modeled after the $3 million war relief poster depicting a Catholic chaplain leading servicemen in prayer at the battlefront.

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