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Museum News

Current Exhibition Press Releases

By, For, and Of the People:
Folk Art and Americana at the DAR Museum
October 7, 2011 - September 1, 2012



The DAR Museum’s first-ever exhibition devoted entirely to folk art showcases a facet of the collection that evolved largely by accident. The DAR Museum was never intended to be a repository for folk art, but over time, as DAR members donated family heirlooms to the collection and the popularity of American folk art increased, a varied selection of folk art objects came to be represented among the museum’s holdings. “By, For, and Of the People: Folk Art and Americana at the DAR Museum,” on display October 7 through September 1, 2012, illustrates the talent and imagination of those who turned everyday objects into works of art.

View a slideshow of objects from "By, For, and Of the People: Folk Art and Americana from the DAR Museum."

While there are many different definitions for “folk art,” generally folk artists tend to be untrained in the “fine arts” or have made utilitarian objects decorative. Many of the objects on display are made by unknown craftsmen or artisans, but the exhibition also features work by celebrated folk artists. Beloved Grandma Moses, who only took to painting in her seventies, personally donated the landscape she painted when she was 93 years old, “The Battle of Bennington,” to the DAR a year after becoming a member. Decorated stoneware by master potter John Bell showcases how taking the time to make a utilitarian piece beautiful set him apart.

The unique exhibition’s varied yet cohesive presentation offers something for every visitor. Collectively, the items on display portray a sampling of American tastes and cultures of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Typical household items salute the American craftsmen who united utility and innovative design, from the chair makers, tinsmiths and potters who enlivened their wares with painted flourishes to the blacksmiths who transformed simple iron trivets into decorative kitchenware.

The growing demand for portraits in the 19th century propelled many people, regardless of their background or training, to take up the trade. In addition to traditional portraits, the exhibition contains a selection of profile portraits and silhouettes, less expensive pieces often rendered by aspiring artists just beginning their careers. On display are works by artists from the Prior-Hamblin School, Ruth Henshaw Bascom, and John Brewster.

All of the pieces featured celebrate home and family. Samplers illustrate typical schoolgirl art, family records demonstrate beautiful calligraphy and decorative motifs, and children’s toys recall the simple joys of early American youngsters.

After examining the DAR Museum exhibition’s array of delicate detailing, memorable housewares, industrious ingenuity and captivating designs, visitors will walk away with a greater appreciation for the artistic merit of functional as well as decorative objects made by, for, and of the American people.

More Museum News

DAR Museum Receives Highest National Recogntion
Awarded Re-Accreditation from
the American Association of Museums


WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the museum-going public. DAR Museum was initially accredited in 1974. All museums must undergo a re-accreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.

“It is an honor that the dedication of our DAR Museum staff and member volunteers to provide a high quality cultural institution has once again been recognized with reaccreditation from the American Association of Museums,” said DAR President General Merry Ann Wright. “As one of only a few historical decorative arts museums in Washington, D.C., we are proud of the outstanding exhibitions and programming that we offer to the community and visitors to our Nation’s capital.”

Founded in 1890, the DAR Museum collection has grown to feature more than 30,000 examples of decorative and fine arts. The collection includes furniture, silver, paintings, ceramics, quilts and costumes, reflecting the artistry and craftsmanship of America prior to the Industrial Revolution. These objects are showcased in the museum’s main gallery as well as in 31 period rooms depicting scenes from early American life which are located around the organization’s National Historic Landmark headquarters building in downtown Washington, D.C.

Re-accreditation signifies that a museum meets and often exceeds the standards and best practices of the museum field. The DAR Museum is one of 779 accredited museums in the United States. Only 4.5% of the estimated 17,500 museums in the country are accredited.

“Accreditation is emblematic of a museum's overall excellence and its commitment to public service," said AAM president Ford W. Bell. "In a city of great museums, the DAR Museum ranks as one of the finest. Moreover, AAM accreditation marks the DAR as one of the best museums in the country."

AAM Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability.

Accreditation is a rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, consider the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as long as three years.

Visitors to the DAR Museum can enjoy its period rooms which are on display to the public year-round. Rotating exhibitions are presented two times a year in the main gallery. Through February 26, 2011, visitors can enjoy the current exhibition, “‘A True North Britain’: The Furniture of John Shearer, 1790-1820.” The exquisitely detailed furniture of craftsman John Shearer is noted not only for its form but also for the politically charged symbols inlaid in many pieces. The furniture helps to explore early America’s cultural ties to Great Britain during the most contentious period in the two nations’ shared history.

DAR Museum's Quilt Camp Sends Quilt to Soldiers in Iraq



The DAR Museum’s Quilt Camp, in conjunction with the Fairfax, Virginia chapter of Quilters Unlimited, was honored to send a “Quilt of Valor” to comfort injured troops in Iraq. The Quilt of Valor program, which works with one of the Emergency Department hospitals in Baghdad, gives a quilt to each soldier admitted.

The DAR Quilt Camp for 10- to 17-year-olds meets in two-week sessions each summer. Campers learn about quilt crafts and create projects inspired by pieces from the museum’s collection. Last summer, they helped appliqué hearts on the quilt, which was created by Kathy Gray, Debbie Repass and Elaine Stemetzski from Quilters Unlimited.

The quilt is also decorated with signatures and words of gratitude and encouragement from the campers and the DAR Museum’s education team. "It’s good to know that we were able show support for our troops and bring a touch of home to them," said DAR Museum Curator of Education Raina Boyd.

Past Exhibitions