A Festive Celebration at the Holiday Open House

Pamela Wright, President General

December 14, 2023

Last week the Executive Officers gathered at DAR Headquarters for another successful December Board Meeting and the DAR Holiday Open House.

View Photos of the Holiday Open House Here!

At the Holiday Open House, visitors joined us for refreshments, cookies, and a taste of history. Visitors explored the DAR Museum period rooms, which depict scenes of early American life and many were decorated with historic holiday traditions of the past, and the Americana Room was open for the evening as well. While people walked around and chatted with each other, they enjoyed holiday music, including caroling from the women's vocal ensemble, Seraphim, the flute trio, Wind Song, and a performance by soprano Jillian Pirtle, CEO of the National Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society. We are thrilled to have one of Marian Anderson’s gowns on loan from the Marian Anderson Museum.

Whether you had a short commute or flew in for the event, I was so glad that many of you joined me and the surrounding community for holiday festivities. We welcomed over 800 people to the Holiday Open House and attendees were encouraged to bring children's books to donate for Books 4 Kids, a pediatric literacy program for military families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the surrounding military medical clinics. When children visit the clinic for an appointment, they can select one of these books to take home with them. It is a great program DAR has been happy to support for a number of years.

The Property Beautification and Hospitality committee and volunteers worked tirelessly to deck the halls of our National Headquarters with decorations, including nine thematic Christmas trees for guests to view. When guests entered Headquarters, the Patriotic Trees, a pair of red, white, and blue trees clad in fireworks in the Pennsylvania Foyer, greeted them. As visitors made their way into the O’Byrne Gallery, we had a traditional tree by Santa, who took some time out of his busy schedule to say hello and take photos with visitors. Also in O’Byrne were the Juniors’ Tree and the Veterans’ Tree with different military bear ornaments. At the end of the hall was the President General’s tree gilded in gold and dazzled with sparkles.

In the Administration Building’s lobby, we had the America 250! and Units Overseas Trees. The America 250! Tree celebrated American heritage and the Units Overseas Tree included flag ornaments from around the world. In the stairwell was the Staff Tree, which staff decorated with their personal ornaments. The Property Beautification and Hospitality committee also decorated the Kansas Chapel with a manger scene, red bows, and pine greenery. Special thanks to this group of members for all of their hard work.

I had a great time celebrating the holiday season at my home away from home! Your DAR Executive Officers and I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays. Let’s Rejoice in our DAR Ties of Service and Friendship!

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