Today's DAR
The American Heritage Committee seeks to celebrate our rich cultural traditions in the arts and crafts, as well as music, literature and drama. While the committee began in 1963, it traces its roots to our first President General, Caroline Scott Harrison. Mrs. Harrison enjoyed painting and often painted orchids and other flowers. As part of the DAR centennial celebration in 1990, a set of four hand painted fine porcelain mugs in 12kt gold were created as a tribute to Mrs. Harrison. The flowers on the mugs were reproductions of some of her watercolor flowers. The mugs are on display in the President General’s Assembly Room on the 2nd Floor of the DAR administration building.
Learn More about the American Heritage Committee
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, our beautiful America 250! quilt was presented at Continental Congress. Just as the colonies, commonwealths, territories, and republics came together to form our country, beginning 250 years ago, each state block of our quilt united with all to become a rich tapestry of our country’s heritage. The Quilt will be on display in Memorial Continental Hall at various times leading up to the semiquincentennial.
Our creative and talented Daughters can participate in American Heritage by entering our contest. There are seven contest fields: Art and Sculpture, Crafts, Fiber Arts, Literature and Drama, Jewelry, Music or Photography. The “Book of Winners” on the American Heritage webpage showcases the winners and their entries. The September 15th episode of the DAR Today Podcast highlights some of them as well, take a listen to find out more about some of these amazing creations. Details for entering the contest can be found on the committee webpage and in the NIP. The 2024 contest theme is Celebrating Stars and Stripes – Forever in Our Hearts Through the Arts! The historic clothing period is the Belle Epoch era. We cannot wait to see your ideas come to life!
Maybe you have two thumbs when it comes to fiber arts, or you glue your fingers together when you try to craft, or you can’t carry a tune; that doesn’t preclude you from taking part in American Heritage. The Women in the Arts Recognition Award allows you to recognize an outstanding woman in a non-performance art. So, find someone in your community to honor. Another way to participate in American Heritage is to present a program to your chapter. The Reporter General’s webpage offers a myriad of programs on the subject that you can download. There are many activities you can take part in as well. Go on a field trip to an exhibit at the local art museum. Take in the county fair and see all the quilts. Visit a local arts and crafts show. Take a barn quilt tour. Go antiquing and see what art treasures you can find. Join our page on the DOC for more ideas.
Art unites and connects us all, just as DAR unites us in the bonds of friendship and service. So find new and fun ways to make American Heritage sparkle!
