Rise and Shine – Until We Get Her Over the Finish Line!

Denise Doring VanBuren, President General

February 12, 2021

It is the largest and most comprehensive restoration ever undertaken in the history of DAR Constitution Hall – and it will result in an auditorium that will marry the highest standards of historic preservation with modern technology in order to create a grand experience for the visitor. And, ladies, I am overjoyed to report that we have turned a corner from large structural components in order to begin work on the finer elements of completing this monumental undertaking. Yes, thanks to YOU, we are entering the final phases of construction! Huzzah!

I am immensely grateful for your confidence and courage in undertaking this project – and so it is especially joyful for me to provide you with this “behind-the-scenes” tour of the progress of restoring your Hall. I hope that you will enjoy this short video and the half-hour conversation that follows with the Project Architect and Project Engineer, as they describe the challenges and rewards of working on DAR Constitution Hall Phase III: The Next Act: https://youtu.be/dzp_cvGGUmM 

Among the major work accomplished since we began last June: the removal of all seating in the auditorium so that the deteriorated concrete floor could be demolished and replaced; the installation of all new electrical wiring; completion of much-needed plasterwork throughout the entire Hall; and abatement/removal of significant amounts of lead paint and asbestos-containing materials. The installation of new, brighter and more historically appropriate ceiling fabric has been completed, along with the upgrade of the sprinkler system and installation of extensive, long-overdue attic steelwork to provide better structural support for decades to come.

Make no mistake: there are still large aspects that still need to be undertaken. But because we have now largely completed what was described in an earlier blog (https://blog.dar.org/dar-constitution-hall-renovation-marches-forward), we are ready to move into the closing months of construction toward our goal of completion in mid-April. Remaining projects include finalizing plaster work, painting and the installation of seating, carpeting, lighting and a massive safety catwalk in the attic.

Finally, the most exciting part of the project lies directly overhead, where a historic laylight that has been covered for more than seven decades will in coming months be brought back to the spirit of its original design using modern technology to replicate natural lighting, including overhead starlight at night! Your generous support in December of our Giving Tuesday campaign to bring the night sky back to Constitution Hall sent me “over the moon” with happiness. Many, many thanks – and especially so to the constellation of outstanding “Shooting Stars,” who served as fundraising leaders for the successful effort. You all shone so brightly – thank you!

In fact, none of this progress would be possible without your generosity and your vision for this monumental project. We have together thus far raised approximately $7.5 million toward our goal of $10 million (for a Phase III that will ultimately total approximately $14). Thank you to the thousands of donors who continue to step forward; to the chapters that meet their $7.50-per-member contributions; to the members who purchase President General Project merchandise in the DAR Store; and to all those who continue to pray for the success of this massive undertaking. I remain immensely proud of our buildings and the women who own and maintain them – and I know that we will Rise and Shine to get our project over the finish line!

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