Today's DAR
“This memorial was conceived in noble aspiration, has been created by constant effort, and is consummated in glorious achievement.”
“We have come home.”
Past President General Emily Nelson Ritchie McClean made this declaration during Memorial Continental Hall’s grand opening on April 19, 1909, five years to the day after the laying of the building’s cornerstone.
Just imagine for a moment what it must have been like to be a Daughter present on that day, witnessing the fulfillment of our Founder Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell’s vision for “a House Beautiful…the finest building ever owned by women.”
I call your attention to Mrs. McLean’s words today, 115 years later, because our home is in trouble. Time and extreme weather have taken their toll. Now we must rededicate ourselves anew to the “noble aspirations” of our Founders and restore Memorial Continental Hall to its original glory.
And what better day to demonstrate our commitment to our House Beautiful through charitable giving than #GivingTuesday which takes place on December 3rd?
As you may recall, last #GivingTuesday, our goal was to raise the necessary funds to restore the 17th street façade of Memorial Continental Hall, among other improvements, through the President General’s Project.
Thanks to your #GivingTuesday donations, and the expert minds and hands of our restoration team, together we accomplished this mission, as you can see from the gorgeous glistening façade displayed in the photograph above, which was taken just a few weeks ago.
And while I once again want to thank everyone who made this remarkable progress possible, much work remains.
This year, our #GivingTuesday goal is to raise $300,000 to enhance the historic charm of our House Beautiful. Your involvement in this campaign will help with two important projects:
- Restore the elegance of our entryways that grant access to Daughters, guests and employees to DAR; and
- Enhance the historic look of our National Landmark by adding a feature that has long since been removed — specially fabricated storm doors that enable us to protect our iconic French doors to our beloved O’Byrne Gallery and Genealogy Offices. Your involvement will preserve their beauty and prevent damage for generations to come.
This year, there is more urgency to complete this restoration work expeditiously. In addition to serving as our home, Memorial Continental Hall is the only memorial to the American Revolution in our nation’s capital. And as the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of American Independence through the multi-year America250! campaign, Memorial Continental Hall will take center stage.
Your #GivingTuesday gift will help make sure our House Beautiful is ready to meet this historic moment.
The doors of any home serve two primary functions. They open wide to welcome guests and friends and close tight to protect the things we love most. In our case, this includes the many American treasures entrusted to our care.
This #GivingTuesday, in this spirit of love and protection, please consider making a gift to DAR and help restore our home. In fact, if you are inspired to give now, you don’t even have to wait until December 3rd! You can make your gift today.
We are making a unique commemorative #GivingTuesday scarf available to all donors who contribute $35 or more by December 31, 2024, while supplies last. This scarf will forever serve as a reminder of your contribution and its lasting impact on the historic preservation efforts of DAR.
It is inspired by a lovely green damask wedding dress once owned by American Patriot Sarah Bradlee Fulton, known as the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party” for her heroic role in staging the signature protest of America’s fight for Independence.
In the early days of the American Revolution, Mrs. Fulton transformed her home into the headquarters for General John Stark’s New Hampshire regiment. Later, she tended to the wounded following the Battle of Bunker Hill and personally delivered messages from General Washington to the front lines.
Mrs. Fulton’s dress, a precious treasure in our Museum collection, is now entrusted to the care of our Museum staff and is safely stored inside Memorial Continental Hall. Also featured in the design of this elegant oblong scarf is an early DAR monogram that will again adorn the window transom above the 1776 D St. doors, thanks to your support! This original bronze piece is being restored to the building after being gone for decades, returning the entrance to its original splendor.
Thank you, as always, for your dedication, your generosity, and your Friendship. We cannot do this work without you!
