Today's DAR
My great joy is to share that we will be launching a major restoration of Memorial Continental Hall in just a few short weeks! This project will be the main focus of the “Celebrate Stars & Stripes Forever through DAR Service and Friendship” Wright President General’s Project. Additionally, to help us raise the necessary funds to complete the desperately needed renovation, this restoration project will also be the focus of our #GivingTuesday campaign this year. Because there is much work to be done to bring our House Beautiful back to its original glory, we must start now!
This original structure of our National Headquarters, which was completed in 1910, has not undergone a significant full restoration project of this size in its history. This project will touch virtually all aspects of our National Historic Landmark – both interior and exterior.
On the exterior of Memorial Continental Hall, the marble façade will be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom. The cleaning will be done carefully with a water mist spray and light detergents when needed. All the black staining and mold that is sometimes visible in certain spots, will be removed. The marble has areas of damage in terms of cracks and missing pieces which will be repaired, and mortar joints will be repointed as well. All the wood windows and doors will be repainted the historic original colors and repaired as needed. This more extensive treatment is necessary because bad mortar joints and cracked stone affects the interior of Memorial Continental Hall with leaking and structural deterioration.
The interior restoration work on Memorial Continental Hall will bring back the historic colors from when the building was first completed including returning the faux gold accents back to real gilded gold. All hallways, the O'Byrne Gallery and main staircases will be restored during this restoration project. Most of the work in these spaces will include plaster repair, correcting water damage and painting. The interior will surely sparkle when it is fully restored.
Such specialized restoration requires experts who are intimately familiar with the intricate work necessary at Memorial Continental Hall. Who better to assist us than Worcester Eisenbrandt, a premier historic property renovation and restoration firm in the Washington D.C. area. We will be sure to continue sharing updates as the project progresses.
During your next visit to National Headquarters, you may see scaffolding erected outside and different areas inside closed to visitors – this is all because of your contributions at work! Thank you so much!
This restoration project is the centerpiece of my President General’s Project because, as all Daughters know, Memorial Continental Hall is more than just a building. It is more than just our Headquarters. It is a place where history and memories are made. It is our home. For this reason, our #GivingTuesday campaign is entitled, “If These Walls Could Talk,” to highlight the importance of preserving the exquisite structure, along with protecting the fascinating stories it holds within.
I will provide more details on our #GivingTuesday campaign in the coming days, but you don’t have to wait. You can make an early #GivingTuesday gift right now.
In the meantime, just know your support of the President General’s Project means so much to me. Your Executive Officers and the National Board of Management are pleased to be able to take on this massive project to restore the only monument to the American Revolution in Washington, D.C., and we are indeed fortunate to have you joining us in this important work!
