About the National Society

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America promotes appreciation for the people, places and events that led to the formation and development of our country. We are an unincorporated association of 44 Corporate Societies in 43 states and the District of Columbia, with more than 15,000 members. The NSCDA has been a leader in the field of historic preservation, restoration and the interpretation of historic sites since its New York Society first undertook the preservation of the Van Cortlandt House in 1897. The National Society headquarters is located at Dumbarton House, a Federal period house museum in Washington, D.C.

Mission


The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America actively promotes our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects.

Objects of the Society


 

“The objects of this Society shall be to collect and preserve manuscripts, traditions, relics, mementos of bygone days; to preserve and restore buildings connected with the early history of our countryto educate our fellow citizens and ourselves in our country’s history and thus diffuse healthful and intelligent information concerning the past, to create a popular interest in our Colonial history, to stimulate a spirit of true patriotism and genuine love of country, and to impress upon the young the sacred obligations of honoring the memory of those heroic ancestors whose ability, valor, sufferings, and achievements are beyond all praise.”

From Article II of the National Constitution

The invitation you accepted didn’t come from a friend or relative...


…and it was not a social request. It was a “sacred obligation” to honor and preserve the history of our origins, and to foster interest and understanding, not among the few, but for the many. Not for the purpose of entertainment, but to “stimulate a spirit of true patriotism and a genuine love of country.”
We live in difficult times. So many of our citizens have forgotten what this country was built on. Cooperation has given way to division and love of country often takes a back seat to love of comfort and possessions. Our sisters and brothers are not misguided, just misinformed. The story of our origins still has the power to inspire good women and men, but only if our voice is louder, and our efforts further reaching.
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America works to inspire all people to understand and honor our origins as a nation. We understand that by promoting respect for the people, places and events that led to the formation of our country, we can inspire the patriotism of our fellow citizens. Our service honors the wisdom and valor of those whose sacrifices and achievements gave birth to our great nation.