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People of the Revolutionary War | Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890, during a time that was
marked by a revival in patriotism and intense interest in the beginnings of the United States of America. Women
felt the desire to express their patriotic feelings and were frustrated by their exclusion from men's organizations
formed to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent. As a result, a
group of pioneering women in the nation's capital formed their own organization and the Daughters of the American
Revolution has carried the torch of patriotism ever since.
The objectives laid forth in the first meeting of the DAR have remained the same in over 100 years of active
service to the nation. Those objectives are: Historical - to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women
who achieved American Independence; Educational - to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address
to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion
of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion"; and Patriotic - to cherish, maintain, and extend
the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind
all the blessings of liberty.
Since its founding in 1890, DAR has admitted more than 800,000 members.
DAR History Highlights
- DAR Museum was founded in 1890 as a
repository for family treasures. Today, the museum contains over
30,000 historical relics that form a collective memory of the
decorative and fine arts in America from 1700-1850.
- The DAR Library was founded in 1896 as a
collection of genealogical and historical publications for the use
of staff genealogists verifying application papers for the National
Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Shortly after 1900 the
growing collection was opened to the public and has remained so ever
since.
- The U.S. Army appointed DAR member, Dr.
Anita Newcomb McGee, as Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army, in
charge of nurses. She organized the DAR Hospital Corps, Army Nurse
Corps, and served as NSDAR's first Librarian General.
- The DAR Hospital Corps certified 1,081
nurses for service during the Spanish-American
War. DAR later funded pensions for many of these nurses who did
not qualify for government pensions.
- During the Spanish-American War, DAR
purchased a ship's tender for the USS Missouri to be used as a
hospital launch for transporting the wounded from shore to ship.
- To help with the war effort during World War
I, DAR loaned its National Headquarters land to the United States.
The federal government used the land to erect a temporary war office
building that provided office space for 600 people.
- After World War I, DAR funded the
reconstruction of the water system in the village of Tilloloy,
France, and donated more than $130,000 for the support of 3,600
French war orphans.
- DAR provided materials for sewing, wood, and
leatherwork to the immigrants detained for processing on Ellis
Island. This helped to alleviate the depression and anxiety of these
men and women who were strangers in a new land.
- In 1921, DAR compiled and published the
"DAR Manual for Citizenship." DAR distributed this guide
to American immigrants at Ellis Island and other ports of entry. To
date, more than 10 million manuals have been distributed.
- From November 1921 until February 1922,
world leaders met in DAR Memorial Continental Hall for the
Conference on Limitation of Armaments, a groundbreaking meeting for
peace.
- The Americana Collection, founded in the
early 1940s, brought together rare manuscripts and imprints
previously scattered among the holdings of the DAR Museum and DAR
Library. Today, the collection flourishes from more than 60 years of
actively seeking out and acquiring artifacts that reflect a unique
image of our nation.
- DAR raised thousands of dollars to assist in
the re-forestation project of the U.S. Forestry Service during the
1940s.
- During World War II, DAR provided 197,000
soldiers with care packages and sponsored all 89 crews of Landing
Craft Infantry ships.
- During World War II, the use of the DAR
buildings was given to the American Red Cross. A children's day
nursery was set up in the basement of Constitution Hall for enlisted
men's wives who had to go to work.
- The tradition of celebrating the
Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the
American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the DAR petitioned Congress to
set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the
observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by
the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956,
by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women's service organization
dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better
education for children.
DAR members volunteer more than 55,000 hours annually to veteran patients, award over $150,000 in scholarships
and financial aid each year to students, and support schools for the underprivileged with annual donations
exceeding one million dollars.
As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 170,000 members in 3,000 chapters
across the United States and internationally. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic
background-who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership.
Encompassing an entire downtown city block, DAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation's premier
genealogical libraries, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington's
largest concert hall, and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints.
DAR Facts
| Founded: |
October 11, 1890
Incorporated 1896 by an Act of Congress |
| Objectives: |
Historic Preservation, Patriotism, Education |
| Motto: |
God, Home, and Country |
| Membership: |
Approximately 170,000 members
2,296 chapters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
International chapters in Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom |
| Eligibility for Membership: |
Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. |
NSDAR Management
President General: Presley Merritt Wagoner
The National Society is led by the President General and an Executive Committee of 11 National Officers.
In addition to rulings by the Executive Committee, policy for the Society is made by the National Board of
Management, a body composed of the Executive Officers, 21 Vice Presidents General, and 54 State Regents.
The National Board of Management meets six times a year at DAR headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Most of DAR's volunteer work is accomplished under a committee system comprised of a national chairman
appointed by the President General and locally appointed state and chapter chairmen. The national chairmen
direct and supervise the activities of their committees with the assistance of the national vice chairmen.
Continental Congress, the DAR annual national meeting, is named after the original
Continental Congress which governed the American Colonies. DAR
Continental Congress attracts approximately 4,000 members to Washington, D.C., each year.
Become a Member - State and Chapter Website Listings
There are 2,975 DAR chapters in the United States. To find out what DAR is doing at the State level, select
from the list below:
For additional Information visit the Daughters of the American Revolution Website
DAR President General Presley Merritt Wagoner
Welcome Remarks
Marian Anderson Commemorative Stamp Dedication Ceremony
January 27, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. - I am truly honored to be here today representing the National Society Daughters of the
American Revolution on this historic occasion which commemorates in a most visible manner the life of such
an extraordinary and inspirational woman. On behalf of the 170,000 DAR members across the country and worldwide,
it is my pleasure to welcome you to DAR National Headquarters for the dedication ceremony of the
Marian Anderson commemorative stamp. In particular,
I want to thank the United States Postal Service and Ms. Andersons family for inviting the DAR to participate
with them in this special recognition.
It is most fitting that we gather in Memorial Continental Hall at Constitution Hall, the place which historically
represents a sad chapter in our countrys history and in the history of DAR. We deeply regret that
Marian Anderson was not given the opportunity
to perform her 1939 Easter concert in Constitution Hall but recognize that in the positive sense the event was a
pivotal point in the struggle for racial equality.
Ms. Andersons legendary concert on the steps of the
Lincoln Memorial will always be remembered as a milestone in the
Civil Rights movement. The beauty of
her voice, amplified by her courage and grace, brought attention to the eloquence of the many voices urging our
nation to overcome prejudice and intolerance. It sparked change not only in America but also in the DAR.
I stand before you today wishing that history could be re-written, knowing that it cannot, and assuring you that
DAR has learned from the past.
DAR was proud to welcome Marian Anderson to Constitution Hall on a number of occasions soon after 1939, including
a benefit concert for war relief in 1942. It is also meaningful to us that this notable American chose Constitution
Hall as the place where she would launch her farewell American tour in 1964.
And today, the DAR is especially honored to be able to participate in the celebration of Marian Andersons legacy
with the issuance of this new commemorative stamp.
We are very happy to welcome the Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan, the members of Ms. Andersons family, and
all of the other distinguished guests with us today for this special occasion.
On this day we celebrate the life, the talent and the legacy of Marian Anderson. America is a better place
because of her dreams and her sacrifices. As a nation, we can be grateful that she opened so many doors for
all those who follow; and, as an organization, the DAR is genuinely pleased to pay tribute to her memory.
Daughters of the American Revolution President General Presley Merritt Wagoner speaking with civil rights pioneer
Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, who gave the invocation
at the ceremony.
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