DAR Library

09/11/2024

Last week we talked about First Ladies as DAR Patriots. Today we'll cover the five Presidents that are also DAR Patriots- George Washington (A121962), John Adams (A000585), Thomas Jefferson (A061895), James Madison Jr (A073058), and James Monroe (A081100), shown today clockwise from the far left. Of the five, Washington and Monroe are the only two with military service. Adams and Jefferson both signed the Declaration of Independence; Madison has Patriotic Service as a delegate to Continental Congress and the Virginia Assembly. The rest of the Presidents have Patriotic Service as delegates to Continental Congress as well, except for Washington. Photo Credit: Washington, Adams, & Madison, National Gallery of Art; Jefferson & Monroe, National Portrait Gallery

09/06/2024

Did you know that the three first First Ladies are also DAR Patriots? Martha Washington (A121970), Abigail Adams (A217634), and Martha Jefferson (A216914) are shown in today's image from left to right. All three ladies are credited with Patriotic Service. Martha Washington gathered supplies and nursed troops. Abigail Adams sheltered refugees and fed soldiers, and Martha Jefferson joined fundraising efforts for the Continental Line. Photo Credit: Washington & Adams, National Portrait Gallery; Jefferson, 1965 portrait for "First Ladies Cookbook"

09/04/2024

Welcome to September, known in the Library world as National Library Card Sign-Up month! The DAR Library is a research library, and as such we don't circulate materials or distribute library cards, but we do love a good local library. Many local libraries also have genealogy resources available, whether it's a collection of books and periodicals, microfilm of local papers, or an institutional subscription to Ancestry or Newspapers.com. Not sure where to find your closest library? The Library Finder can help with that: https://libraryfinder.org/

09/02/2024

DAR Headquarters, including the DAR Library, is closed today in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 8:30 am.

08/30/2024

DAR Headquarters, including the DAR Library, will be closed Monday, September 2nd, in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 8:30 am.

08/28/2024

On August 28, 1917, 10 women were arrested outside the White House. They were members of the Silent Sentinels, a suffragist group that had been picketing for womens' right to vote since January of that year. This wasn't the first arrest of the Sentinels, and it wouldn't be the last either. About 125 women were arrested in 1917 on charges of obstructing traffic, unlawful assembly, and disorderly conduct. Protests continued until Congress ratified the 19th Amendment in 1919. If you'd like to learn more about Suffragist history, including the DAR members involved, check out our research guide at:https://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/Suffragists%202022.pdf

08/23/2024

On Wednesday we showed you how the balconies looked during the early days of the library being in Memorial Continental Hall. Today, the DAR Library balconies host our biographies and general history books, as well as some more specific categories like GEN HERALDRY and GEN PENSIONS, which you can see in the photo. While there are no longer staff offices on the balconies, there are still tables and chairs open to Library researchers. The balcony also hosts special DAR volunteer groups, like the Balcony Volunteers during the annual Continental Congress.

08/21/2024

When the DAR Library first moved into Memorial Continental Hall, we only occupied the first floor of the space, which means the upper-level auditorium seating was left in place. Meanwhile, the Library Staff office was in what is now the O'Byrne Gallery, which was also being used as a hall to access other offices, now period rooms. Eventually, the Library outgrew the first floor, and the seating was removed to add more shelves. This left the lower balcony available to use as staff workspace, as shown in today's photos. Stay tuned later this week to see what the balconies look like now!

08/16/2024

What's missing in these photos? As part of the ongoing restoration work in Memorial Continental Hall, the Library is restaining our tables and having the historic lamps cleaned and repaired. If you've visited the Library recently, you may have noticed some of these missing items as we cycle them through the restoration process. In the first photo you can see how much lighter and brighter the restored tables are. We appreciate your patience as we work to complete this project.

08/14/2024

Summer is coming to an end, and that means that many DAR Chapters are resuming meetings after their summer break. Your chapter can get a head start on the new year with a quick and easy task - consider donating an item off the DAR Wishlist! Departments from around DAR Headquarters place items on the Wish List, available here: https://www.dar.org/giving/dar-wishlist. If you'd like to focus on giving books, you can select "DAR Library" from the menu to the right of the screen. Thank you for your support!

The items on the Wish List directly help NSDAR achieve our mission. Your support of the items on this list allows us to honor, learn from, and preserve the past for future generations. Funding these items helps us conserve objects in the DAR Museum’s extensive collection, acquire important texts f...

08/09/2024

08/07/2024

Do you have French ancestors? We're mid 2024 Olympics in Paris, so now is the perfect time to check your family tree for French Heritage. France joined the American Revolutionary Cause on February 6, 1778. Service performed between then and November 16, 1783 may qualify your ancestor as a DAR Patriot, whether they served in the Colonies, or in Europe. To learn more about how to research your French Revolutionary War history, check out our how-to guide on French service, and the DAR Lineage Research Committee's brochure on French Patriots. Both are available here:

The DAR Library has compiled a variety handouts and instructional videos on specific topics related to using the DAR Library for genealogical research.

08/05/2024

250 years ago, on August 1-6, 1774, the First Revolutionary Convention met in Virginia after Royal Governor Dunmore disbanded the House of Burgesses. The First Convention met at Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg. Among other actions, they elected new state officers, banned trade and payment of debts to Britain, and voted to pledge supplies to the Revolutionary cause. Peyton Randolph (A206378) was elected as President of the Convention. He would later serve as the President of the First Continental Congress as well. Today, Raleigh Tavern is interpreted as part of Colonial Williamsburg. To learn more, visit:

07/31/2024

Please note that the DAR Buildings, including the DAR Library, are closed today for a private event. We will reopen to the public at 8:30 on Thursday, August 1.

07/29/2024

Please note that the DAR Buildings, including the DAR Library, will be closed Wednesday, July 31st for a private event. We will reopen to the public at 8:30 on Thursday, August 1. We apologize for any inconvenience.

07/24/2024

Never fear, the Minnesota flag is here! The timeline was tight, but we were able to get the new MN flags ordered and installed in time for Congress' opening night. Today's photos show the Minnesota flag hanging in the Library, and being carried in the flag processional (on the right) during the 133rd (2024) Continental Congress.

07/22/2024

Attention! Due to a private event, the DAR Library will operate out of the Seimes Technology Center today through Wednesday, July 24. The library is open, but all books will need to be requested and viewed in the Seimes Center. If you would like Library Staff to pull items for you ahead of your visit, please email [email protected]. Please note, staff will only pull a maximum of 10 items per patron at once.

07/19/2024

Attention! Due to a private event, the DAR Library will operate out of the Seimes Technology Center Monday, July 22-Wednesday, July 24. The library is open, but all books will need to be requested and viewed in the Seimes Center. If you would like Library Staff to pull items for you ahead of your visit, please email [email protected]. Please note, staff will only pull a maximum of 10 items per patron at once.

07/19/2024

This closeup of the refurbished Insignia shows what a difference a good scrubbing, some fresh paint, and new lightbulbs can make. Our new Reference Desk is much larger than the previous one, which allows us more room to work during large events like Congress when we have multiple staff members at the desk at once. The desk has also been moved to the middle of the room to mirror the original desk's placement in 1949. More updates are planned for the library in the coming months, so follow us to keep up with the renovations!

07/17/2024

This week we'll be showing you some of the most recent updates to the DAR Library. As part of the larger Memorial Continental Hall renovations, the DAR Insignia that hangs in the front of the Library was recently cleaned, polished, and refitted with softer lighting for easier reading. We've also replaced the Library's Reference Desk. Today's photo shows the progress on these updates. Stay tuned this week to see what the space looks like now!

07/12/2024

By the late 1920s, the DAR had grown so much that all the delegates could no longer fit in Memorial Continental Hall during Continental Congress. On June 22, 1928, workers broke ground for Constitution Hall, giving the Society room to grow to today's Continental Congress attendance of several thousand DAR members. Today's Continental Congresses span the entire DAR building complex, but moving the business sessions and evening events hasn't made Memorial Continental Hall - or the Library - any less popular, as seen in today's photo from this year's 133rd (2024) Continental Congress.

07/10/2024

Memorial Continental Hall wouldn’t be completed until 1908, but the DAR began holding Continental Congress in the space in 1905. With a temporary tarp as a roof, and birds still nesting in the rafters, this photo shows President General Emily R. McLean opening the 17th Continental Congress on April 20th, 1905. Temporary wiring was strung across the hall to illuminate the space, and bunting covered the unfinished walls and theater boxes. One thing has remained the same since 1905 - we still have the DAR Insignia on the front wall of the Library, and thanks to a recent cleaning during the ongoing Memorial Continental Hall renovations, it's shining brighter than ever. Check back later this week to see what this year's Congress looked like! Photo: DAR Archives

07/08/2024

Attention! The DAR headquarters buildings, including the Library, will be closed July 10th due to road closures for the 2024 NATO summit. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday July 11th. We apologize for the short notice.

07/04/2024

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 Remember, the DAR Buildings, including the DAR Library, are closed today and tomorrow. We will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 6th, at 9:00 a.m. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy your family picnics, cookouts, and barbecues!

07/03/2024

Folks, be alert for fake accounts!

Unfortunately a fake Facebook profile is purporting to be "Pamela Wright" and sending out friend requests. If you have accepted one from this profile, please unfriend it and report the profile as fake. To make a report, click the three dots on the profile to bring up a menu that offers the option to make a report.

07/02/2024

Attention! The DAR headquarters buildings, including the Library, will be closed July 4-5th for the holiday. We will reopen at 9am on Saturday July 6th.

07/01/2024

The DAR Library staff would like to thank everyone who came to this year's Continental Congress! We had a great time learning about your families and exploring the wide world of genealogy with you all. Remember, as you look back on your notes and copies, if you have any questions, or if you think you forgot something in the Library, you can contact us at [email protected].

06/28/2024

Remember that the DAR Buildings, including the DAR Library, are closed this weekend unless you are a registered DAR member attending the 133rd Continental Congress. We will reopen to the public at 8:30 on Monday, July 1. Please also be aware that we will be closed Thursday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday.