Patterns and Shapes in Quilts (Grades K - 2)

This interactive program introduces young children to the museum by showcasing part of our unique collection of colorful historic quilts and textiles. Each child has a chance to design his or her own quilt pattern. (Duration: about 45 minutes)

This tour is also available during the summer for school camp groups and homeschoolers.

Colonial Child (Grades K-8)

Take a close look at what life was like for children in the early days of our country's history. Hands-on activities explore clothing, food, schooling, games, and preparation for adult life. (Duration: about 1 hour 15 minutes)

This tour is also available during the summer for school camp groups and homeschoolers.

The Many Faces of the American Revolution (Grades 4 - 8)

Get acquainted with some of the people who helped establish this country by looking at the political, social, and economic roles they performed. Through activities focusing on period objects and primary source material, students will gain a fuller appreciation of the wide range of contributions to the cause of independence made not only by generals and statesmen, but also by women and slaves. (Duration: about 1 hour 15 minutes)

Colonial Traveling Trunk (Grades K-8)

The Colonial Life Traveling Trunk program is intended as an outreach tool for schools that are unable to bring students in to visit the museum.

The trunk includes five lessons that will immerse students in the social and cultural history of Colonial America. Each lesson offers suggested activities including worksheets, games, and music. The highlights of the trunk are reproduction objects, toys, games, music, clothing and other items used during the colonial era. The trunk and its activities are designed to complement studies of Colonial America and the American Revolution for students in grades 4-8, but is suitable for kindergarten History standards and grades 3 and 5 English standards.

Journey Through American History
School Self-Guide (Grades 4-8)

This school self-guide covers select period rooms dating from the 1680s to the 1860s. The guide is designed to engage students visually as they look at American decorative objects and stimulate discussion on early American history and life today; includes Touch of Independence hands-on area. Division of the class into smaller groups is recommended. One self-guide will be provided for each group by request only, or you may download a copy of the self-guide below. As a courtesy we require notification of the date, time, school name, and group size prior to your visit.

Download the School Self-Guide

For school program information or reservations, please call the Curator of Education at (202) 879-3240 or email museum@dar.org.

Colonial Adventure (Children ages 5 - 7)

Colonial Adventurers will experience life as a colonial child by dressing in reproduction clothing, playing colonial games, and enjoying a make-believe tea party. A separate tour is provided for adults. This free program is held the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, September - May, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Reservations are required; please call (202)879-3240.

Folk Arts

Explore many examples of various decorative folk arts created in early America and discuss how they were made and used. View different crafts, such as quilts and toys, and make your own 6" quilt square. (Fulfills 4 of the requirements for the “Folk Arts” badge.)

My Heritage

Learn about family history by looking at antique objects, using DAR library resources to research the meaning of your name, finding out how genealogists learn about the past, and making a family tree. (Fulfills three of the requirements for the "My Heritage" badge.)

Colonial Adventure

Brownies will experience life as a colonial child by using their imagination to travel back in time to the 18th century. They will explore period rooms, dress in reproduction clothing, play colonial games and enjoy a make believe tea party. (This program incorporates parts of the “Let’s Pretend” and “Listening to the Past” Try-its.) There is no fee for this program.

Colonial Doll

This program is offered only in conjunction with 1:30 p.m. Colonial Adventure on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Brownies have the opportunity to make their own clothes pin doll like children did in earlier times. (This fulfills part of the “Puppets, Doll, and Plays” Try-it.) The fee is $6 per Brownie (no charge for adult chaperones); includes a DAR Museum patch.

Performing historical or object research in preparation for exhibitions

Working on inventory and cataloguing of objects in the museum's collection

Assisting with updating slide and tour programs

Designing self-guides for school and homeschool programs

Producing Family Guides and other written materials to accompany exhibitions

Colonial Camp
Camp I: July 20 - 24, 2009
Camp II: July 27 - 31, 2009
Ages 8-12

Step back in time with the American Ladies for a “Revolutionary” experience at the DAR’s eighth annual Colonial Camp. During this one-week long camp, campers will wear historically accurate costumes and explore Colonial-American life through food, song, dance, stitchery, and a field trip. Camp cost includes field trip expenses, snacks, and costume. Boys receive a shirt, waistcoat, haversack, and Tricorne hat. Girls receive a shift, gown, apron, and cap.

Fee: $450 Colonial Camp ($425.00 if paid in full by 5/1/09) Includes costume to keep

Quilt Camp
Camp: August 3 – 14, 2009
Monday – Friday
Time: 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Ages 10-17

The DAR Quilt Camp follows a 2-week format where campers select their own fabrics to create a 24” quilted wall hanging based on a square from a quilt DAR Museum collection. Campers will learn the art of hand quilting and appliqué, view quilts in the museum collection, and take related field trips, if time permits. Basic hand sewing experience is recommended. Last summer, in addition to their own quilted wall hanging, campers contributed to the Quilters Unlimited “Quilt of Valor,” which was sent to Bagdad to support our troops. Thank you to the 2008 Camp Sponsors - Fairfax Quilters Unlimited, Burke Quilters Unlimited, Everybodys Quilt Guild, Quilters Unlimited, Vienna Quilters Unlimited, and Emily Nelson Chapter DCDAR.

Fee: $375 Quilt Camp* ($350.00 if paid in full by 5/1/09) *Scholarships available