We are excited to share that the 2026 DAR Library Restoration Project is nearly underway! The important work to restore our beloved Memorial Continental Hall, which began under Pamela Wright’s administration, has continued through the Storage administration, and we are thrilled to announce the next phase of this historic effort.
Beginning after Continental Congress in July 2026, restoration work will commence on our treasured DAR Library. We are all very excited to restore our historic DAR Library and to complete the important preservation work. We are deeply grateful for your continued support of the DAR Library over the years and now.
DAR Library Restoration FAQ
The DAR will be undertaking a major restoration of the historic Library beginning in July 2026. The entire contents of the Library - including all of the books - will be moved to off-site storage for the duration of the project, which is expected to last approximately 12 months. The Seimes Technology Center will remain open to onsite researchers wishing to use our online digital resources while the renovation is ongoing, but there will be no access to the physical collections during that time by anyone, including staff.
We understand that this will be a significant disruption for our patrons. If you had planned to do research during the restoration period, we encourage you to contact [email protected] as soon as possible to discuss how to use our search or photocopy services to assist your research before the work begins in July of 2026.
If you are a member or are applying to join the DAR, we do not anticipate any significant disruption to the DAR Application or Supplemental process. The Library staff has been working closely with the Genealogy staff to ensure we will continue processing papers to the absolute best of our ability.
This renovation is the final phase of the Memorial Continental Hall restoration work begun during the Wright Administration. As with the rest of the MCH work, we anticipate a great deal of plaster repair and replacement, general repairs, painting, and restoration of the bookcases as well as cleaning and repairs to both the floor and the lay lights. This will involve a significant amount of dust and dirt, as well as the scaffolding that needs to be built to reach the upper areas of the room. For that reason, the book collection and the furniture and computers must all be removed from the space for safety.
Why are you restoring the DAR Library?
Why are you restoring the DAR Library?
The restoration of Memorial Continental Hall began during the Wright Administration in 2023, when the exterior of the building, the O'Byrne Gallery, some of the period rooms, and many of the hallways were completed. In the Storage Administration, the focus is on completing the restoration of the remaining period rooms, and the Library.
What spaces are part of the DAR Library restoration?
What spaces are part of the DAR Library restoration?
The main Library itself and the side offices in Memorial Continental Hall will all be impacted. The O'Byrne Gallery will remain open. The Library staff will shift operations into the Seimes Technology Center on the first floor of the Administration Building which will remain open for the duration of the restoration project.
What DAR Library services are going to be affected during the restoration?
What DAR Library services are going to be affected during the restoration?
Online functions will remain the same, so purchasing Record Copies and Supplemental Documentation online will continue as normal. Search services and photocopy requests for information in books will not be possible during the restoration work, as the books will not be accessible to Library staff while they are in storage. And visitors will not be able to go into the Library itself or look at books while the area is an active construction site.
I have research I need to do for a DAR Application, but I can’t get to DC before July. What should I do?
I have research I need to do for a DAR Application, but I can’t get to DC before July. What should I do?
The Library offers several services for people who can’t come to Washington, DC, in person. You can contact [email protected] if you need assistance. If you have a specific item in mind that you need copied or scanned, please use our Photocopy Services. If you need someone to look through the Library’s collections for information about a particular person or topic, you can use our Search Services. Information on these services can be found here: https://www.dar.org/library/services/search-services
I have a DAR Application pending, will it be affected by the restoration work?
I have a DAR Application pending, will it be affected by the restoration work?
We do not anticipate any significant disruption to the DAR Application or Supplemental process. The Library staff has been working closely with the Genealogy staff to ensure we will continue processing papers to the absolute best of our ability.
What exactly is being restored in the DAR Library?
What exactly is being restored in the DAR Library?
The plaster in the walls will be examined, and any cracks or damaged plaster will be removed and replaced. Places where holes have been cut for wiring and lighting that are no longer needed will be filled in and covered, as will any damaged areas. The entire Library interior will be repainted. We are also going to freshen up the banisters and railings, and the first floor bookcases will be shored up, re-stained, and have new lighting installed.
How long will the DAR Library restoration take?
How long will the DAR Library restoration take?
We anticipate the project will take at least a year. Due to the size of the Library, it's difficult to estimate how much work will be needed on the upper parts of the wall. Until the workers can build scaffolding and get up close to the upper walls, we won't know exactly how much repair work needs to be done. Follow the DAR Library on Facebook (@NSDARLibrary) for updates on the project and timeline.
When will the DAR Library restoration start?
When will the DAR Library restoration start?
In July 2026, following the conclusion of the DAR annual convention, Continental Congress.
Is the DAR Library closing?
Is the DAR Library closing?
No, the DAR Library is NOT closing. A major restoration project on the physical space of the DAR Library is starting in July 2026, and the Library is shifting operations to the Seimes Technology Center. To ensure the safety of the collection, the books need to be packed and sent to off-site storage for the duration of the restoration work. The Seimes Technology Center will remain open and available throughout the restoration and visitors will still be able to use the GRS website to do research.
Why can't you do the restoration work in phases and keep most of the books in place?
Why can't you do the restoration work in phases and keep most of the books in place?
Most of the repair work in the Library will involve removing and replacing plaster from the walls. Plaster dust will be everywhere. Leaving the books in the same space as this work would risk damaging the collection. To preserve the collection, the books need to be removed.
Why can't you just move the books somewhere else in the building?
Why can't you just move the books somewhere else in the building?
The DAR Library contains around 140,000 individual books. There is no space anywhere in the DAR complex large enough to hold the collection.
Are the lay lights above the DAR Library being removed?
Are the lay lights above the DAR Library being removed?
No. There are some minor repairs and cleaning to the lay lights (the glass panels in the Library ceiling), but we are not taking any of the panels down. The skylight over the lay lights is also being repaired.
Will the DAR Library still be taking book donations during the restoration?
Will the DAR Library still be taking book donations during the restoration?
Yes, to an extent. The Library will still acquire new books that we do not already have in the collection, particularly new publications. However, we will not be able to review donations that are replacements for existing books until the collection returns.
Will the donation competition at DAR Continental Congress still happen?
Will the donation competition at DAR Continental Congress still happen?
Yes, Continental Congress in 2026 will include the donation certificates. The Library will still be acquiring books during the renovation but the pace will be slower, so the 2027 Congress competition may be impacted.
For updates, please follow the DAR Library on Facebook at @NSDARLibrary where we will be posting reminders, helpful tips, and progress reports on the project.