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The Beacon at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center starts in the lobby and continues through the roof. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
When the American Bible Society first planned, about six years ago, to put its Faith and Liberty Discovery Center at 5th and Market Streets, it realized what it meant to be located across the street from Independence Mall. The new museum about the religious roots of the nation triangulates itself in relation to the founding documents of American democracy.
In the lobby, a sculpture of three pillars spiraling around themselves extends from floor to ceiling, and beyond, pushing through the roof to become a literal beacon of light atop the building. The three pillars are “Liberty,” facing the direction of the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall; “Justice,” facing the direction of the U.S. Constitution at the Constitution Center; and “Faith,” facing the Bible at the entrance to the Center’s own galleries.
The best inaugural addresses connect to the broader American tradition, and in our moment, the new President could do much worse than following Abraham Lincoln’s lead.