Historic Preservation Month

May is Historic Preservation Month! But we should all be proud that as Daughters of the American Revolution, we support historic preservation each and every month in myriad ways. Our Society was founded upon the desire to celebrate our nation’s past, with historic preservation established as one of its three foundational mission areas.

Dozens of individual DAR state societies and chapters embody preservation by maintaining historic properties across America, and we salute their devotion to preserving these brick-and-mortar representations of American history. Visit the Society’s Historic Sites and Properties Database online to learn more about the location and historical significance of these sites.  

We also applaud the local preservation work of chapters and states through the Historic Preservation Project Contest each year. State societies choose a first-place winner and send the nomination packet to their Division Vice Chair. National winners are chosen from the Division winners by non-DAR judges. First-, second- and third-place chapter winners are selected from many excellent projects, as well as one state-level winner. This year’s worthy preservation project winners will soon be announced. Has your chapter completed an historic preservation project in your local community? You are encouraged to submit nominations for historic preservation projects completed within the last two years. Much important work is being completed, and we want to recognize it! Details are available on this committee’s webpage. Your work might be among those receiving awards during the 2021 Continental Congress!

DAR also offers several opportunities to support and recognize outstanding devotion to preserving history in local communities that is completed by external individuals and organizations, as described below.

I am proud to announce that $250,000 in DAR Historic Preservation Grants funding was recently awarded to 43 non-profit organizations across the country in amounts ranging from $510 to $10,000. Supported projects include historic grave marker repairs, historic quilt restoration, monument refurbishment and preservation of many historic buildings/sites. The partnership that results between sponsoring chapters/states with community preservation organizations invariably benefits both groups and provides PR visibility. See details and application instructions on this committee’s webpage, and consider assisting a group in your community by sponsoring a DAR Historic Preservation Grant locally next year.

So far during the VanBuren Administration, 23 Historic Preservation Medals have been approved to recognize exemplary volunteer preservation efforts on the regional, state and national levels. This is the highest honor bestowed by NSDAR for Historic Preservation. To cite one recent example, a husband and wife earned this medal for their tireless efforts over many years to save and refurbish memorial plaques and markers that honor veterans across their state. Their determination to educate the public with a better understanding for local history is truly outstanding and worthy of our recognition. I bet there are equally worthy individuals in your community who are deserving of this medal.

The Historic Preservation Recognition Award may be awarded for outstanding volunteer preservation work at the community level. Awards approved thus far recognize work to preserve of the records of a WWII internment camp for German POWs, identify remains of historic burial sites, restore an historic cemetery, author books on county history and volunteer on local preservation projects. In all, 87 Historic Preservation Awards have been approved so far during this administration.

An exciting addition during the VanBuren Administration is a new opportunity to recognize preservation efforts through the Excellence in Historic Preservation Certificate and associated medal, which may be presented to business, individuals and groups that help to preserve local history.  This allows broader recognition of exemplary preservation efforts, including that associated with restoring individual private properties for business or personal use. Chapter and State Regents may present this award without the need for national approval. Please look for details in the updated National Information Packet (NIP) in July.

Finally, don’t forget our national effort to restore our own historic and iconic DAR Constitution Hall through The Next Act! Every member can star in this ambitious project by contributing. The Historic Preservation Committee is proud to have sponsored a Rosette Medallion with our collective donation. Join us by supporting this very important project to preserve our own House Beautiful.

There are many ways DAR chapters can be involved in historic preservation in their hometowns by sponsoring grants and presenting awards. Please protect, preserve and promote historic preservation. Get involved as we Rise and Shine for America!