DAR Museum

Sneak peek! 👀 This counterpane (bedspread) will be featured in our 2027 textile exhibition.

It was made from a popular late 18th-century fabric: “America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty Medallions of her Illustrious Sons.” And one of those sons? Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben.

The “Drillmaster of the Revolution,” Steuben gave the Continental Army its discipline at Valley Forge — and his “Blue Book” guided the U.S. Army through 1812. This month and every month, we honor his role in our nation’s founding.

“Counterpane” c. 1800, images courtesy of the DAR Museum.

What to know when planning your visit to the DAR Museum this month!

✨ Behind the scenes: two of our period rooms are coming back better than ever!

After months of restoration, the Indiana and New York period rooms in Memorial Continental Hall are nearly ready to welcome visitors again — just in time for Congress. From plaster repairs and refinished floors to stunning new wallpaper, swipe through to see the transformation! 🪑🖼️ 

Stay tuned for final reveal images coming next week!

Note: This carousel shows before photos of NY and IN, followed by progression photos throughout restorations.

👔 “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.

https://www.facebook.com/events/923511797405861

📅 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 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.

📍 Come see them at the DAR Museum.

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!