Massanutton Chapter, NSDAR

What Is DAR

The NSDAR  is an organization of women directly descended from persons who aided in establishing American independence. Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. A chief goal of the DAR is to teach and promote good citizenship among youths, adults, and immigrants. Its programs promote appreciation of the past, patriotic service in the present, and educational training for the future. The DAR helps preserve monuments that keep alive the memory of persons who won American independence. It encourages the study of American history, and maintains relics and records of early America.

The organization supports two schools in remote mountain areas of Alabama and South Carolina that are cut off from regular school systems. It also aids six other schools and colleges. It publishes the DAR Manual for Citizenship to help foreign-born residents of the United States in becoming citizens. NOTE: The DAR Manual for Citizenship is currently out of print, pending a major revision by the the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Applicants who are studying to become naturalized citizens can read the DAR Manual for Citizenship online in its entirety on the NSDAR website. The DAR sponsors Junior American Citizens clubs for schoolchildren, provides scholarships for American Indians, and conducts an annual DAR Award and Scholarship Contest for high school seniors. The organization's official publication is called "American Spirit."

The DAR was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1890. It was chartered by Congress in 1896, and must report to Congress each year. It has chapters in the United States and other countries.

The headquarters of the DAR consists of three adjoining buildings at 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006-5392. Memorial Continental Hall houses one of the largest genealogical libraries in the United States. The building also contains 28 state themed rooms that are furnished in historic American styles. The administration building houses the society's business offices and a museum. Constitution Hall is an auditorium where the society holds its annual Continental Congress, and where many of Washington's cultural events are held. Both Memorial Continental Hall and Constitution Hall are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Would you like to know more about the DAR?

Today's DAR is available on Facebook. In addition to information about the National Society, you will find photos of DAR Memorial Continental Hall and our museum including period museum rooms and current exhibits. Photographs of recent events are included as well as speakers for the most recent annual Continental Congress.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, has posted a series of videos on YouTube, celebrating our organization's historic preservation, educational, and patriotic work. These videos provide a brief introduction to the work of Today's DAR and will introduce you to some of the dynamic women who are part of our extraordinary service organization. More than sixteen videos on the DAR are featured on YouTube, with plans to add more as they become available.

Please visit dar.org for more details on membership.