DAR Museum

DAR Museum Explore, discover and investigate the American home with 31 period rooms, 3 galleries and rotating exhibitions at the DAR Museum. Free and open to the public.

The Daughters of the American Revolution created DAR Museum in 1890 to further its mission: promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Museum admission is FREE. For visitor or events information, please visit www.dar.org/museum.

👔 “Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men” with Chloe ChapinThe American Revolution didn’t ...
05/29/2026

👔 “Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men” with Chloe Chapin

The American Revolution didn’t just happen through documents and declarations — it also evolved on the backs of men. Before 1776, elite colonists dressed to emulate European aristocracy: colorful silks, gold lace, jeweled buckles. As revolutionary fervor grew, men like Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin deliberately traded opulence for plain, dark wool. Chapin traces how this shift from “peacocks to penguins” was a deeply political act — and how the modern suit was born out of rebellion as a material translation of the Declaration of Independence.

🎓 Chloe Chapin is a historian and costume designer with a Ph.D. in American Studies from Harvard. A former Broadway costumer and Fulbright Scholar, she has held research fellowships at the Smithsonian, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the American Antiquarian Society.

đź“… Tuesday, June 9 | 12:00 PM ET | Virtual
🎟️ Register through the link in our bio!

John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the only signer’s name on early ...
05/27/2026

John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the only signer’s name on early printed copies. It’s how his name became a word we still use today.

This 1776 military commission issued to Joseph Smith, now on view in “Preserving Patriotism: The Declaration of Independence and Its Legacy at DAR,” carries that famous signature. It’s one of dozens of letters, legal documents, and receipts from all 56 signers in the DAR’s Americana Collection, offering a look at the everyday lives of the men who shaped the nation.

For the first time, these documents are all on display together, timed to America’s 250th anniversary.

đź“Ť Come see them at the DAR Museum.

05/22/2026

We’re pleased to share that the DAR Museum was featured in ’s 2026 films🎬

Our film explores how our two landmark exhibitions are bringing the Revolution to life as the nation marks 250 years. See the full 6-minute film at the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/QS-R8IA_dxs?si=YW7HKCry_ejy9m6y

Today we welcomed a group of cultural heritage professionals from Hungary to the DAR Museum as part of the U.S. Departme...
05/12/2026

Today we welcomed a group of cultural heritage professionals from Hungary to the DAR Museum as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. It was a pleasure sharing our collections with such a thoughtful and accomplished group!
 
Planning a group visit? We’d love to have you — link in bio to learn more and book!
 

📜 In 1776, the Declaration wasn’t yet a cherished symbol — it was urgent news, racing from printing presses to soldiers,...
05/04/2026

📜 In 1776, the Declaration wasn’t yet a cherished symbol — it was urgent news, racing from printing presses to soldiers, diplomats, and ordinary people across a nation at war.

Dr. Sneff takes us back to that moment of uncertainty, tracing how the Declaration traveled across the new nation and around the Atlantic world — through printers, translators, and diplomats who carried its words into the unknown.

Join us VIRTUALLY on May 12 at noon for our Tuesday Talk: ✨ When the Declaration of Independence Was News

🎓 Dr. Emily Sneff is an early American historian and leading expert on the Declaration of Independence. She earned her Ph.D. from William & Mary and serves as a consulting curator for America 250 exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution and Historic Trappe.

đź“… Tuesday, May 12 | 12:00 PM ET | Virtual
🎟️ Register now — link in bio!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1bAiKJwj/

🌸 What an evening at the DAR Museum! Last night’s program kicked off with a tour with Museum Director and Chief Curator ...
04/24/2026

🌸 What an evening at the DAR Museum!
 
Last night’s program kicked off with a tour with Museum Director and Chief Curator Jennifer Johnson, who led attendees through our current exhibitions “Revolution in Their Words” and “Preserving Patriotism: The Declaration of Independence and Its Legacy at DAR.”
 
From there, Diana Parsell took the floor for her talk on “Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington’s Cherry Trees,” and she did not disappoint. The unvarnished story behind how Washington’s beloved cherry blossoms came to be planted is one that deserves to be told every single spring.
 
A heartfelt thank you to President General Mrs. Storage for honoring us with opening remarks, and to all the DAR executives who joined us for the evening. 🥂
 
If you missed it, pick up a copy of Diana’s book. It belongs on the reading list of every cherry blossom lover in DC and beyond. Available in person at the DAR Museum Shop and online (link in our bio)!
 

📣👥 This week is National Volunteer Week, and we’re taking a moment to recognize the docents who keep the DAR Museum goin...
04/21/2026

📣👥 This week is National Volunteer Week, and we’re taking a moment to recognize the docents who keep the DAR Museum going. These dedicated volunteers lead tours, share history, and make every visit a memorable one — all on their own time. We’re grateful for each and every one of them!🏛️
 
Images (left to right):
1. Cathy Jabara, Susan Baranowski, Aryssa Damron, Kathryn West (First Vice President General), Karen Britton (Museum Specialist, Visitor Experience), Mary Mortimer, Lori Prendergrast, Kimberly Suringa
2. Jennifer Johnson (Museum Director and Chief Curator), Mary Mortimer, Cynthia Strassberg, Kimberly Suringa, Lori Prendergast, Susan Baranowski, Carrie (Curator and Registrar), Marilyn Welschenbach, Wanxin, Beverly Tomb
3. Paula Eichenbrenner (National Chair, Museum Outreach), Marguerite French (Organizing Secretary General), Beverly Tomb, Mary Mortimer, Cynthia Strassberg, Cathy Jabara, Susan Baranowski, Marilyn Welschenbach, Kimberly Suringa, Gayle Lovato, Stephen and Angela Eichenbrenner
 

🌸 Join us this Thursday, April 23 for an unforgettable evening as DAR Museum Director and Chief Curator Jennifer Johnson...
04/20/2026

🌸 Join us this Thursday, April 23 for an unforgettable evening as DAR Museum Director and Chief Curator Jennifer Johnson leads a tour of our new America 250 exhibitions, followed by a book talk from author Diana P. Parsell on her biography of Eliza Scidmore. A trailblazing 19th-century journalist, Scidmore was instrumental in bringing Japanese cherry trees to the nation’s capital.

A former journalist herself, Diana has written for National Geographic and The Washington Post. Her deep dive into Scidmore’s remarkable life is a must-read, and you can pick up a copy at the DAR Museum Shop and have it signed by the author that evening!

Light refreshments will be served. 🥂

📅 Thursday, April 23 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM ET
đź“Ť DAR Museum, Washington, DC
🎟️ FREE, but registration is required! Save your spot: https://www.facebook.com/events/939860515697929

🎂🎉Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Birthday Party for America! From exploring our brand-new “Revolution in Th...
04/18/2026

🎂🎉Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Birthday Party for America!
 
From exploring our brand-new “Revolution in Their Words” exhibit to meeting Martha Washington, it was a truly memorable morning steeped in history and patriotic spirit. Whether you came with family, a love of history, or simply a curiosity about our nation’s past, we’re so glad you were part of it. 📸 Scroll to check out some of our favorite moments!
 

DAR Celebrates America 250! - Birthday Party for AmericaToday, April 18, 10am - 12:30pm All are welcome to join in on FR...
04/18/2026

DAR Celebrates America 250! - Birthday Party for America
Today, April 18, 10am - 12:30pm
 
All are welcome to join in on FREE, family-friendly activities in the DAR Library and DAR Museum, while enjoying cupcakes and refreshments to celebrate America’s Birthday.
 
Click the link in our bio for the full lineup of offerings today!

Address

1776 D Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(202) 879-3241

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