The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America

06/04/2021

We are thrilled to announce that Carol Cadou has accepted the position of Executive Director NSCDA and National Headquarters Dumbarton House.

To read the full press release, visit: https://nscda.org/the-national-society-of-the-colonial-dames-of-america-announces-new-executive-director/

Photo by Maria DeForrest, Courtesy of Winterthur.

We are thrilled to announce that Carol Cadou has accepted the position of Executive Director NSCDA and National Headquarters Dumbarton House.

To read the full press release, visit: https://nscda.org/the-national-society-of-the-colonial-dames-of-america-announces-new-executive-director/

Photo by Maria DeForrest, Courtesy of Winterthur.

05/18/2021

At the Women in Preservation Symposium this past April, we learned that the right to express yourself and be heard--on your terms--is sacred.

The first amendment (the freedom of speech) of the American Constitution uniquely extends to language as well. Our institutional support of language preservation, at places like the Smithsonian and by experts like Mary Linn, are important cornerstones of our field.

At the Women in Preservation Symposium this past April, we learned that the right to express yourself and be heard--on your terms--is sacred.

The first amendment (the freedom of speech) of the American Constitution uniquely extends to language as well. Our institutional support of language preservation, at places like the Smithsonian and by experts like Mary Linn, are important cornerstones of our field.

05/10/2021

When asked to share advice with emerging preservation professionals at this year's Women in Preservation Symposium, Shannon Brogdon-Grantham at Smithsonian delivered.

"Prepare to be a lifelong learner," she said. Your education doesn't end in grad school, preservation challenges you to find new solutions, seek out new teachers, or invent new techniques for every unique object that comes your way.

When asked to share advice with emerging preservation professionals at this year's Women in Preservation Symposium, Shannon Brogdon-Grantham at Smithsonian delivered.

"Prepare to be a lifelong learner," she said. Your education doesn't end in grad school, preservation challenges you to find new solutions, seek out new teachers, or invent new techniques for every unique object that comes your way.

05/01/2021

Preservation is not achieved by one person. Successful efforts are community-driven endeavors.

With the support of social media, our communities can amplify a need or propel action.

At our April Women in Preservation Symposium, Marion F. Werkheiser, of Cultural Heritage Partners encouraged us all by noting "the more you get the public engaged the better the outcome."

Preservation is not achieved by one person. Successful efforts are community-driven endeavors.

With the support of social media, our communities can amplify a need or propel action.

At our April Women in Preservation Symposium, Marion F. Werkheiser, of Cultural Heritage Partners encouraged us all by noting "the more you get the public engaged the better the outcome."

04/30/2021

We've all discovered just how hard it is to make a personal connection over a screen. With so many of our social outlets shut down during the pandemic many preservation professionals have turned to colleagues for the support and guidance more experienced mentors formerly gave.

But this advice is just as valuable. "Peer-to-peer mentoring is real," said Milan Jordan at our April Women in Preservation Symposium.

Check out the NSCDA's peer-to-peer museum network, our Great American Treasures.

We've all discovered just how hard it is to make a personal connection over a screen. With so many of our social outlets shut down during the pandemic many preservation professionals have turned to colleagues for the support and guidance more experienced mentors formerly gave.

But this advice is just as valuable. "Peer-to-peer mentoring is real," said Milan Jordan at our April Women in Preservation Symposium.

Check out the NSCDA's peer-to-peer museum network, our Great American Treasures.

04/29/2021

In this challenging year, preservation professionals have been challenged to learn new skills to reach old audiences while navigating a historic pandemic. We can all attest that we've found it hard to reflect and recharge.

At our Women in Preservation Symposium in April, Sarah Marsom reminded us all how important it is for leaders of a movement to practice self-care.

What are you doing to radically support your needs?

In this challenging year, preservation professionals have been challenged to learn new skills to reach old audiences while navigating a historic pandemic. We can all attest that we've found it hard to reflect and recharge.

At our Women in Preservation Symposium in April, Sarah Marsom reminded us all how important it is for leaders of a movement to practice self-care.

What are you doing to radically support your needs?

04/29/2021

This April Sarah Marsom, a featured presenter at the Women in Preservation Symposium and the Power in Preservation exhibition at our national headquarters, @ [53546364029:274:Dumbarton House], shared that preservation advocates are best cultivated "through activity."

Join our movement on May 4th for her Tiny Activist Doll virtual workshop: https://dumbartonhouse.ticketleap.com/tiny-activist-doll-workshop-with-sarah-marsom/

This April Sarah Marsom, a featured presenter at the Women in Preservation Symposium and the Power in Preservation exhibition at our national headquarters, @ [53546364029:274:Dumbarton House], shared that preservation advocates are best cultivated "through activity."

Join our movement on May 4th for her Tiny Activist Doll virtual workshop: https://dumbartonhouse.ticketleap.com/tiny-activist-doll-workshop-with-sarah-marsom/

04/28/2021

Our very own President, Katherine Cammack kicked off this April's Women in Preservation Symposium.

In her opening remarks, Cammack shared the NSCDA's goal of empowering "this generation and the next, with the complicated and impactful wisdom of our past."

See the NSCDA's preservation in action at any of our 64 Great American Treasures sites this summer!

Our very own President, Katherine Cammack kicked off this April's Women in Preservation Symposium.

In her opening remarks, Cammack shared the NSCDA's goal of empowering "this generation and the next, with the complicated and impactful wisdom of our past."

See the NSCDA's preservation in action at any of our 64 Great American Treasures sites this summer!

04/27/2021

Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian sat down with his friend, former colleague, and Dame, Nell Payne this past April at the Women in Preservation Symposium.

When she asked Bunch how preservationists should interpret the past, he responded sagely: "inclusivity saves you from the monopoly of wisdom."

Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian sat down with his friend, former colleague, and Dame, Nell Payne this past April at the Women in Preservation Symposium.

When she asked Bunch how preservationists should interpret the past, he responded sagely: "inclusivity saves you from the monopoly of wisdom."

04/27/2021

Lonnie G. Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian, shared his hard-earned wisdom on Day 1 of the Women in Preservation Symposium. (A massive, joint endeavor between the @NSCDA and the Smithsonian Institution!)

He challenged the preservation professionals watching to lean into their strengths, that we all "master" our craft.

Lonnie G. Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian, shared his hard-earned wisdom on Day 1 of the Women in Preservation Symposium. (A massive, joint endeavor between the @NSCDA and the Smithsonian Institution!)

He challenged the preservation professionals watching to lean into their strengths, that we all "master" our craft.

04/26/2021

Diverging passions or opinions may not sway someone else's opinion. Sharing your differences might be just as effective at showing the value of respecting your own, says Ember Farber, the American Alliance of Museums Advocacy Director.

At our April Women in Preservation Symposium Ember remarked that "you don't have to agree with people in order to be heard."

Diverging passions or opinions may not sway someone else's opinion. Sharing your differences might be just as effective at showing the value of respecting your own, says Ember Farber, the American Alliance of Museums Advocacy Director.

At our April Women in Preservation Symposium Ember remarked that "you don't have to agree with people in order to be heard."

04/25/2021

Ember Farber may be the American Alliance of Museums super-advocate. But at our April Women in Preservation Symposium, Ember emboldened us all.

She remarked that "your passion is your superpower."

Ember Farber may be the American Alliance of Museums super-advocate. But at our April Women in Preservation Symposium, Ember emboldened us all.

She remarked that "your passion is your superpower."

04/24/2021

On Day 1, Elizabeth Kostelny of Preservation Virginia reminded us all why we gathered at the Women in Preservation Symposium in early April.

She noted, "We all share that moment we all understood that historic places matter."

On Day 1, Elizabeth Kostelny of Preservation Virginia reminded us all why we gathered at the Women in Preservation Symposium in early April.

She noted, "We all share that moment we all understood that historic places matter."

04/23/2021

Thank YOU for making the Women in Preservation Symposium such a success!

We're thrilled so many joined us from across the United States and the world. We are working hard to edit the recorded presentations into discrete videos with closed captioning. This laborious but important process will take several weeks.

Once completed, we'll post them to our YouTube page. Until then, we'll share some highlights from the event.

Thank YOU for making the Women in Preservation Symposium such a success!

We're thrilled so many joined us from across the United States and the world. We are working hard to edit the recorded presentations into discrete videos with closed captioning. This laborious but important process will take several weeks.

Once completed, we'll post them to our YouTube page. Until then, we'll share some highlights from the event.

04/07/2021

We're thrilled so many have joined us for the Women in Preservation Symposium, here on Facebook Live!

Unfortunately, we will not be able to stream Janice Ellis's video about the Conservation of The Jefferson Bible. It will be available on the full recording that will be posted on the NSCDA YouTube page in several weeks.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Be sure to tune back in at 12:15 p.m. to listen to our final keynote and concluding talk with the President of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Leslie Greene Bowman.

04/07/2021

It's difficult to believe our 2021 Women in Preservation Symposium is almost over! We're honored to share our final day learning about the painstaking work that goes on in the archives at the @Smithsonian Institution, the exacting labors of preserving the Jefferson Bible, and finally a lecture by the current president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. We're so honored by your attendance, and hope you enjoy our final day of WIPS!

Catch us on Facebook live with closed captioning available!
#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

It's difficult to believe our 2021 Women in Preservation Symposium is almost over! We're honored to share our final day learning about the painstaking work that goes on in the archives at the @Smithsonian Institution, the exacting labors of preserving the Jefferson Bible, and finally a lecture by the current president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. We're so honored by your attendance, and hope you enjoy our final day of WIPS!

Catch us on Facebook live with closed captioning available!
#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

04/06/2021

Our second day at the 2021 Women in Preservation Symposium covers the historical gamut, from protecting cultural heritage to learning about women’s preservation organizations from the past to present! You won't want to miss it, so join us on Facebook Live! Closed captioning available.

#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

Our second day at the 2021 Women in Preservation Symposium covers the historical gamut, from protecting cultural heritage to learning about women’s preservation organizations from the past to present! You won't want to miss it, so join us on Facebook Live! Closed captioning available.

#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

04/05/2021

The wait is over! The Women in Preservation Symposium is starting in less than two hours. If you didn't register, it's not too late to take part. Join us on Facebook Live this morning at 9:00 for the first session, "HerStory in Preservation."

We’re committed to making the Women in Preservation Symposium accessible to all! Closed captioning is available through Facebook Live.

#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

The wait is over! The Women in Preservation Symposium is starting in less than two hours. If you didn't register, it's not too late to take part. Join us on Facebook Live this morning at 9:00 for the first session, "HerStory in Preservation."

We’re committed to making the Women in Preservation Symposium accessible to all! Closed captioning is available through Facebook Live.

#AmericanWomen #WomenInHistory #TheFutureIsFemale

04/04/2021

Hey there! Have you signed up to attend the 2021 Women in Preservation Virtual Symposium?

There's still time to claim your virtual seats for over twenty-five exciting presentations, ranging from a bundle of historians, preservationists, and other guardians of history. Registration is free and easy 👇
https://nscda.org/wips2021/

Hey there! Have you signed up to attend the 2021 Women in Preservation Virtual Symposium?

There's still time to claim your virtual seats for over twenty-five exciting presentations, ranging from a bundle of historians, preservationists, and other guardians of history. Registration is free and easy 👇
https://nscda.org/wips2021/

04/04/2021

Join us for a presentation by Leslie Greene Bowman, president of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the third president's beautifully-restored estate in the mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia. Bowman has propelled the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s path forward into national and global dialogue, propelling restoration, dialogue and programs that offer an honest, complicated and inclusive view of our past – common ground for all Americans.

We hope you'll join us for this grand finale to our three-day symposium!

Join us for a presentation by Leslie Greene Bowman, president of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the third president's beautifully-restored estate in the mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia. Bowman has propelled the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s path forward into national and global dialogue, propelling restoration, dialogue and programs that offer an honest, complicated and inclusive view of our past – common ground for all Americans.

We hope you'll join us for this grand finale to our three-day symposium!

04/04/2021

Few American books have caused as big a stir in American philosophy as the Jefferson Bible, Thomas Jefferson's personally edited compilation of Scriptures.

We're joining Ms. Janice Ellis of the National Museum of American History, who led the restoration efforts of this text in 2009 that led to the documentary Jefferson's Secret Bible.

Few American books have caused as big a stir in American philosophy as the Jefferson Bible, Thomas Jefferson's personally edited compilation of Scriptures.

We're joining Ms. Janice Ellis of the National Museum of American History, who led the restoration efforts of this text in 2009 that led to the documentary Jefferson's Secret Bible.

04/04/2021

Did you know that a group of women helped to preserve Julia Child’s kitchen so that future gourmands could learn all about the famous female chef? Learn more in this flash talk!

Did you know that a group of women helped to preserve Julia Child’s kitchen so that future gourmands could learn all about the famous female chef? Learn more in this flash talk!

04/03/2021

Our final day begins with one of the fundamental elements of a historian's profession: protection of artifacts and records from time and nature.

We're joining Nora Lockshin, senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution Archives; Ms. Janice Ellis, Conservator at the National Museum of American History, and Ms. Lindsay Jones, owner of Blind Eye Restoration LLC, and several others in a discussion of how everyday efforts help immortalize the past for generations to come.

Our final day begins with one of the fundamental elements of a historian's profession: protection of artifacts and records from time and nature.

We're joining Nora Lockshin, senior conservator at the Smithsonian Institution Archives; Ms. Janice Ellis, Conservator at the National Museum of American History, and Ms. Lindsay Jones, owner of Blind Eye Restoration LLC, and several others in a discussion of how everyday efforts help immortalize the past for generations to come.