The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America

Our National Headquarters Receives AAM Accreditation

Dumbarton House, our National Headquarters, is extremely pleased to announce that it was awarded Accreditation status by the American Association of Museums in August of 2006. This highly sought after award recognizes a museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of operation. This excellence is achieved through an ongoing process of learning and improvement.

Congratulations to the staff and volunteers of our National Headquarters who achieved this important recognition.

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America actively promotes our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. The NSCDA, founded in 1891, is an unincorporated association of 45 Corporate Societies with over 15,000 members. The Society headquarters is located at Dumbarton House (pictured below), a Federal period museum in Washington, D.C. Programs and projects are conducted in the following three areas.

Museum Properties
Preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic sites

Patriotic Service
Educational programs and scholarships

Historical Activities
Research, preservation and educational publications

Museum Properties

More than 70 properties are affiliated with the Corporate Societies nationwide, of which 42 are wholly-owned and/or completely managed by the Corporate Societies. With respect to the other properties, Dames provide various types of support including financial, volunteer services, donations of furnishings and other objects, and management participation with state and municipal governments, local historical groups and private preservation entities. In November 2000, the National
Trust for Historic Preservation presented their prestigious Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America "for acquiring, restoring, and interpreting a collection of historic properties that offer invaluable opportunities to experience the rich variety of America's heritage." Link to museums. Coming Soon: Search the Collections!

Historical Activities Projects
include research, preservation and publications
• Ancestor Bibliography Register www.ancestorbibliography.org • Ancestor Profiles (short biographies) • Colonial and Pioneer History Videos • Decorative Arts Sampler Survey		• Historic Trips • Inventory of American Painting and Sculpture • Oral History • Plaques and Historic Markers • Publications

Patriotic Service Projects

are designed to promote responsible citizenship and the study of American history with particular emphasis on the fundamental documents, traditions and workings of our country and its government.

• Citizenship and welcoming projects for new citizens
• Educational programs in elementary schools including subjects such as the Bill of
    Rights, the Great Seal, early statehood history and flag programs
• Scholarship grants to Native Americans to study nursing
• Scholarship awards to students of American history
• Sponsorship of high school essay contests on American history subjects; winners
    are sent to Washington Workshops Congressional Seminars sponsored by the
    Washington Workshops Foundation
• Service to military, and projects for the benefit of American servicemen and women
    during wartime.

Historic site photography throughout this web site by Erik Kvalsvik
© 2009 The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America