DAR Museum Achieves Subsequent Accreditation
from the American Association of Museums

WASHINGTON, DC– The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum has again achieved the highest recognition for a museum by being granted accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM).  Initially accredited in 1973, the DAR Museum is required to undergo a subsequent review at least every ten years to maintain accredited status. By awarding the museum’s third re-accreditation, AAM recognizes the DAR Museum as one of an elite group of top-tier museums in the country operating according to the highest standards and practices in the field.

“We are honored to receive re-accreditation from the AAM,” said Diane Dunkley, Director and Chief Curator of the DAR Museum. “This recognition serves as confirmation that the DAR Museum continues to be a leader in the museum community.”

AAM Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community.  It is a seal of approval and strengthens individual museums and the entire field by promoting ethical and professional practices.  Being accredited enables museum leaders to make informed decisions, allocate and use resources wisely, and maintain the strictest accountability to the public they serve. 

“The DAR Museum’s well-deserved re-accreditation is the result of years of hard work and perseverance by our committed museum staff and from the strong support of our DAR membership,” said Presley Merritt Wagoner, DAR President General.

Of the nation’s nearly 16,000 museums approximately 750 are currently accredited.  It is a rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations.  Subsequent accreditation is equally thorough as museums go through the same process while keeping pace with the evolving high standards of the museum field. 

As the national service organization representing the American museum community, the American Association of Museums addresses the needs of museums to enhance their ability to serve the public.  For more about AAM and the Accreditation program please visit www.aam-us.org.

Home to one of the most historic decorative arts collections in the United States, the DAR Museum was established in 1890, the year the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded. The collection comprises 30,000 decorative and fine arts objects made or used in America before the Industrial Revolution (circa 1830). The items are displayed in two galleries and 31 period rooms, which trace the development of home, business and social life in early America and reveal how lifestyles have changed over 300 years. The DAR Museum is located between The White House and the Washington Monument at 1776 D Street NW in Washington, D.C. The museum is free and open to the public Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information on the DAR Museum, including tours and special programs, visit www.dar.org, or contact (202) 879-3241 or [email protected].