Reflections from the Executive Officers: Librarian General

What an amazing three years our DAR Library has had during the Wright Administration and it’s been my great honor to serve as its Librarian General. The Library, as the most visually stunning part of Memorial Continental Hall, celebrated its 75th Jubilee Year in what had been the former DAR Auditorium. We often think of libraries as just a collection of books. However, how the DAR Library is so much more!

Our Library houses the collections of our family histories; the maps detailing the lands and expansion of our country; our family trees noting those that came before us settling into this great nation; and, most importantly, the contributions and accomplishments of our Patriot ancestors who suffered many sacrifices while participating in the founding of our beloved country.  That said, our Library is not a stagnant place just living in the past, and it’s my pleasure to proudly share some of the accomplishments, projects, and updates which have taken place during our three years.

Our Daughters and guests now sit on comfortable, custom handmade chairs, matching the original 1910 chairs, and the study tables have been professionally restored and retrofitted for those using electronic equipment. Finally, the study lamps were also retrofitted with LED bulbs for better lighting and new shades were added matching those original to the space.

The Library was beaming for our 75th Jubilee Commemoration held on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.  Members of the National Board of Management, Daughters and guests joined in this celebratory event which included our guest speaker, Monica M. Woods, Chief of Staff, of the National Archives, representing the Archivist of the United States Congress.

Throughout these three years, the Library and its incredible staff have been extraordinarily busy hosting special events such as the 250th Celebration of the Boston Tea Party, the Library 75th Jubilee Commemoration and the 150th Commemoration of the DAR Hospital Corp formed by Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee.  Our staff has also presented over 22 programs both online and in-person and hosted 20 group visits to our library.  One of the most popular events, for both participants and staff, has been hosting the Genealogical Research Institute (GRI) each of the three years.

In closing, my thanks to you for allowing me the incredible opportunity to serve our National Society in this capacity, and I look forward to hopefully seeing you soon in the Library!