National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The organization was founded in 1891 by Mary Talcott and other prominent women, including Elizabeth Willing Powel and Abigail Adams, with the goal of preserving the history and legacy of the Thirteen Colonies. The society is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has chapters in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and other cities across the United States. The society's founding was influenced by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution, and its members have included notable women such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Edith Wilson, and Dolley Madison.

History

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America was established during a period of renewed interest in American colonial history, sparked by events such as the Centennial Exposition and the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus. The society's early members, including Alice Delano, Clara Foltz, and Ida Tarbell, were instrumental in promoting the preservation of historic sites and the collection of American colonial artifacts. The society has also been involved in various historical reenactments, including the Boston Tea Party and the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Notable historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams have been honored by the society, which has also recognized the contributions of Abigail Adams, Deborah Read Franklin, and other women of the American Revolution.

Organization and membership

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America is a non-profit organization with a membership of over 15,000 women, including Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan. The society is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from each of the society's chapters, such as the New York Chapter, the Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Virginia Chapter. Members of the society must be able to trace their ancestry back to a colonial American who lived in one of the Thirteen Colonies before 1776, and must demonstrate a commitment to the society's mission and values, which are inspired by the principles of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The society has also established relationships with other organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Preservation Society, and the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.

Activities and programs

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America is involved in a range of activities and programs, including historic preservation, education, and community outreach. The society has worked to preserve historic sites such as Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Independence Hall, and has supported the restoration of colonial-era buildings in cities such as Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. The society also offers educational programs and resources, including scholarships, grants, and internships, to students and researchers studying American colonial history, American history, and museum studies. Additionally, the society has partnered with organizations such as the National Park Service, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution to promote the study and appreciation of American history and culture.

Affiliated properties and museums

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America has affiliated properties and museums across the United States, including the Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C., the Van Cortlandt House Museum in New York City, and the Gunston Hall in Virginia. These properties and museums offer a range of exhibits, programs, and events, including historical reenactments, lectures, and workshops, and provide a unique glimpse into American colonial life and culture. The society has also established relationships with other museums and cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of American History, and the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.

Notable members

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America has a long history of notable members, including First Ladies of the United States such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lady Bird Johnson, and Pat Nixon. Other notable members have included women's rights activists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, as well as historians and scholars such as Dorothy Kunhardt and Barbara W. Tuchman. The society has also recognized the contributions of African American women such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, and has worked to promote a more inclusive and diverse understanding of American history and culture, in collaboration with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.