The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United St
ates and internationally. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background-who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually in their local communities including supporting active-duty military personnel and assisting veteran patients, awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and supporting schools for underserved children with annual donations exceeding one million dollars. The objectives laid forth in the first meeting of the DAR have remained the same in 125 years of active service to the nation. Those objectives are:
Historic Preservation- to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence;
DAR members participate in an array of projects to help preserve our cultural heritage, including:
Restoring and maintaining historical sites
Locating, restoring and marking Revolutionary War patriot gravesites and headstones
Organizing and contributing to major restorations, commemorations and memorials
Placing monuments around the world to memorialize people and events throughout American history
Preserving genealogical records, artifacts and historical documents and making these items available to the public at DAR Headquarters
Education - to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…"
DAR members are passionate about educating the youth of America and contributing to schools and student programs in a variety of ways, including:
Providing scholarships and awards to outstanding students throughout the country
Promoting education and citizenship through youth programs such as Children of the American Revolution, DAR Good Citizens and Junior American Citizens
Sponsoring American history essay contests for youth in grades 5 through 8
Offering educational summer camps and cultural programs through the DAR Museum
Watch this short video of DAR’s involvement in education efforts over the past 125 years. Patriotism- to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty. DAR Members’ love of country is evident in the multitude of patriotic endeavors they pursue, including:
Providing more than 200,000 hours of volunteer time annually to veterans in Veterans Administration hospitals and non-VA facilities
Offering support to America’s service personnel in current conflicts abroad through care packages, phone cards and other needed items
Sponsoring special programs promoting the Constitution during its official celebration week of September 17-23
Participating in naturalization ceremonies
Presenting patriotic awards to deserving individuals including:
Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award
DAR Good Citizens awards and medals
ROTC medals
Community Service awards.
