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Entrusted With History’s Future

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) actively promotes our national heritage through preservation of historic properties, patriotic service projects and educational programs. The NSCDA, founded in 1891, is an unincorporated association of 43 Corporate Societies with over 15,000 members. The National Society headquarters is located at Dumbarton House, a Federal period museum in Washington, DC.

The Illinois Society was founded in 1895. The Helen and Bryan Lathrop House, owned by The Fortnightly of Chicago, serves as our state Society headquarters.

Illinois Dames are especially proud of their underwriting and volunteer support for the USO at the Naval Station Great Lakes, Chicago Veterans Ruck March and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. We take great pride in serving those who serve our nation.

Clarke-Ford House remains the focus of the our historic preservation efforts and provides tangible connections to Chicago’s past.  We were honored to be recognized as an official Illinois Biencentennial partner. Our Book Club offers members the opportunity to learn history through the eyes of scholars and historians. Tours and programs are a key part of Dames activities, providing member and intellectual engagement.

Our educational scholarships and awards are available for students in high school as well as those in advanced graduate/professional studies. We are pleased to partner with the Workshops Foundation, a leading experiential learning program in Washington, DC. Each year, the NSCDA provides scholarships for local students to visit our nation’s capitol to learn about the important role citizens play in a democratic society. Our essay contest provides an opportunity for Illinois student winners to see the “inside” of Washington and meet with our local Congressional delegation, as well as representatives from the judicial and executive branches of government.

History’s Keepers since 1891

During the NSCDA’s long existence, its members have been champions, caretakers, stewards, and rescuers of history. Saving a 158-year old, eight-sided house from demolition by moving it across the street? We’ve done that. Creating a national campaign to restore the home of an ancestor of George Washington and make it a museum? We’ve done that. Re-discovering and researching the site of an 18th-century fort and trading post, and turning it from an empty field to a lively outdoor historical site? Yeah, we’ve done that, too. Through projects in preservation, patriotic service, and education, the 44 Societies of the NSCDA have been promoting America’s national heritage since 1891.

We believe that America has a big story to tell, and we launched Great American Treasures as a unique way to share those stories with you.

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Dames Discovery

Dames Discovery is a biannual magazine of activities and important news happening both at the National and Society levels. It is edited and published by the NSCDA.

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