Countdown to the 135th Continental Congress!

The 135th Continental Congress is just a few days away! Before you travel to National Headquarters in Washington D.C., to reunite with fellow members from near and far, please review these important reminders:

• Check-in and on-site registration are available starting Monday, June 22 from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. in the We the People Dining Hall on the lower level of the Administration building. See the rest of the week’s registration hours in the Congress Schedule.
   
• Please be aware that you MUST have your registration badge with you to enter any of the DAR buildings. Upon your arrival, please head straight to the We the People Dining Hall on the lower level of the Administration Building to check in and receive your badge and registration materials.
   
• Be sure to download the Congress App via the App Store or Google Play to your smartphone or tablet to have all the Congress information at your fingertips. Click here for more information.
   
• Review the Congress Insider’s Guide to access the State of the Society, the Congress Herald and more useful Congress Information!
   
• Take a look at the Congress schedule for an overview of all the exciting events throughout the week.
   
• We are thrilled to have a record numbers of members registered for Congress to join us in celebrating America 250! Please welcome first timers and plan ahead for large crowds of members during the week.
   
• Discover the various America 250! experiences occurring in Washington, D.C. during Continental Congress, including some special events just for DAR members!
   
• Additionally, please be aware that there are city-wide events happening during Congress week and this may result in road closures and restricted access to areas near DAR Headquarters. We encourage you to allow extra time when planning your transportation and walking to DAR Headquarters. Enable push notifications in the Congress App to get any alerts or updates on timely information.
   
• We have a very special line up of awardees this year! Click here to learn about our featured award winners for our evening ceremonies.
   
• With the expected high number of attendees at Congress, we also recommend those with assigned seats (i.e. voters) try to be in your seats by 7 pm for the evening ceremonies and by 8:30 am for the business sessions. Open seating begins 20 minutes before the sessions start when all unclaimed seats are open for general seating for those without assigned seats.
   
• Summer in D.C. is here! Be ready for cool indoors and hot and humid outdoors. Please keep in mind that sometimes DAR Headquarters can get chilly. Because it is a historic building trying to cool down from the summer heat, some areas in the building are colder than others. So, it is a good idea to bring a light jacket, sweater, or wrap. Wearing layers is key for a comfortable Congress!
   
• This week you can find terrific gifts and other special items for sale! In the Constitution Hall Lobby, you will find the DAR Insignia Store, the Junior Shoppe, the Museum shop, and the President General’s Project Sales. Additionally, the President General’s Project Sales will be located in the JW Marriott lobby. In the Texas Lone Star Lounge at Constitution Hall, you will also find the Congress Shops with their wide array of specialty vendors. Finally, don’t miss the DAR Store on the lower level of the Administration Building.
   
• Feeling hungry and looking for a place to share a bite to eat with friends? There are plenty of convenient options for food near Headquarters – see dining recommendations here.
   
• Explore the DAR Museum’s special America 250! exhibits, Revolution in their Words which explores the American Revolution through the everyday writings of the people who lived through it, and Preserving Patriotism: The Declaration of Independence and It’s Legacy at the DAR, which is a collection of signatures from all 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
   
• Fill out a Continental Congress Press Release Request form so that your local media can be alerted to your members’ presence at Congress.
   
• Follow along with Congress Social Media on Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtags #TodaysDARCC #ShareMyDARCC26 #DARCC26 when posting about Congress.
   
• Take time to learn more about the 135th Continental Congress Candidates for National Office. This year we will hold elections for the Office of Vice Presidents General and Honorary Vice President General.
   

• If you are unable to make it to Washington, DC this year, you can learn about Congress activities and news during the week by reading the Congress Herald. DAR is also pleased to offer livestreaming of Continental Congress Evening Ceremonies, the Memorial Service and Installation Ceremony. The Daytime Business Sessions are only open to registered DAR members attending the session in-person.

   

I truly cannot wait to see your passion for our Society illuminate the 135th Continental Congress! If you are unable to make it this year, you can follow along with the Congress Herald and the Congress evening ceremonies via our livestream. Just a few more days until we can all celebrate together!