As the nation draws closer to its historic 250th anniversary, DAR provides critical tools to teach the public about the Patriots of the American Revolution and the ideals that inspired them.
TEACHING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION THROUGH IMMERSIVE EDUCATION
DAR’s American Revolution Legacy Grant program educates students of all ages about America’s founding through one-time grants of up to $5,000 made available to schools, public libraries, community centers, institutions of higher learning, cultural events, and other places of learning. In 2023 alone, DAR awarded $100,000 of these grants to 31 teachers and administrators in 19 states.
To provide an example of how these funds are invested, Étoile Academy Charter School in Houston, Texas, used its grant to pay bussing and admission costs for its 5th graders to visit Houston Christian University and its replica of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.
According to Kayleigh Colombero, Superintendent and Founder of the school, “The interactive nature of the field trip allowed our students to delve into the historical events of the American Revolution, gaining a deeper understanding of its impact on contemporary society,” while “broadening the horizons” of participating students and “creating lasting memories.”
The American Revolution Legacy Grant program is just one of many DAR education programs that demonstrate our commitment to educating the public about America’s founding.
TAKING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ON THE ROAD
In 2024, DAR launched a traveling exhibit in collaboration with American Battlefield Trust to bring an education in America’s founding to communities across the country.
These multimedia exhibits focusing on the American Revolution are adaptable for use in various environments. They feature display panels and interactive digital kiosks that leverage storytelling, illustration, technology, unique artifacts, and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with Patriots of the past. The exhibits remain on location for up to 30 days, providing ample opportunity for members of each host community to engage with the material.
The first traveling exhibit launched in January 2024 at the Texas Public Library in Pottsboro, Texas, followed by the second exhibit hosted by the Harmon Library in Lebanon, Ohio. A third display traveled to the Quick Center for the Arts in Rochester, New York. These American Revolution educational displays are in high demand. To date, 293 DAR chapters have requested to use the displays in their local communities.
While DAR is delighted to take its education programs on the road, DAR also shares the story of America’s Founding at its National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
PRESERVING DAR’S TWO NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS
DAR’s National Headquarters, which is located just blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C., is comprised of two National Historic Landmarks—Memorial Continental Hall and Constitution Hall.
Memorial Continental Hall is the only monument to the Patriots of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C. It has been home to Daughters of the American Revolution for 115 years, and houses thousands of historic documents and priceless treasures.
Designated as a National Historic Landmark for its role in hosting the Conference on Limitation of Armaments, which reduced Naval power on a global scale following World War I, Memorial Continental Hall serves as a place of learning for students who come to be educated and inspired and a place of discovery for people looking to connect to their own Patriot past through DAR’s world-class genealogy library.
In October 1928, then-First Lady Lou Hoover laid the cornerstone for DAR’s second National Historic Landmark, Constitution Hall, with the same trowel used by George Washington to lay the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol in 1793. Today, Constitution Hall is the largest concert hall in the nation’s capital.
Throughout its history, Constitution Hall has hosted the world’s most renowned performers, including Gladys Knight, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Lucciano Pavarotti, Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Jay Leno, and Chris Rock, among many others.
YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Your CFC contributions to DAR help preserve and operate its two National Historic Landmarks, fund the organization’s educational activities, and so much more. With your support DAR will continue to preserve America’s treasures, teach our Founding values, and inspire Patriotism now and for generations to come. Please visit our official CFC page to donate to DAR. DAR’s CFC Number is: 15918.
