DAR Headquarters will be closed from March 16 to March 20. We will reopen on March 21. 

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DAR National Headquarters
1776 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
www.dar.org
Research at DAR Library Now Free to the Public

WASHINGTON, DC – The DAR Library, one of the country’s premier genealogical research facilities, is now FREE to all researchers. In October, the entrance fee for use of the Washington, D.C. family history library was eliminated as part of ongoing efforts to make the extensive DAR genealogical resources more accessible to the public.

“We are so pleased to be able to now offer the DAR Library resources free of charge,” says Eric Grundset, Director of the DAR Library. “We invite and encourage anyone who may have been deterred in the past by the usage fee to come visit and explore our vast holdings. You never know what you may be able to discover about your family at the DAR Library.”

From novices to professionals, the DAR Library offers a wealth of unique materials for researchers of all levels. Since its founding in 1896, the DAR Library has grown into a specialized collection of American genealogical and historical manuscripts and publications, as well as powerful on-site databases. The DAR Library collection contains more than 225,000 books, 10,000 research files, thousands of manuscript items, and special collections of African American, Native American, and women’s history, genealogy and culture. Nearly 40,000 family histories and genealogies comprise a major portion of the book collection, many of which are unique or available in only a few libraries in the country.

For those who live in the region or are planning a visit to the nation’s capital, the DAR Library is a must-see even for those who aren’t interested in availing themselves of the research material. Memorial Continental Hall, home of the DAR Library, is a Registered National Historic Landmark built in 1905 and located just blocks away from the White House and Washington Monument. The decorative beaux-arts ornamentation and the sun streaming through original glass ceiling take visitors breath away upon entering the grand DAR Library. Surrounding the exterior of the Library, the original offices of the building have been transformed into DAR Museum period rooms that depict the early-American experience through objects and art of the home. The historic building and the Library itself have also been featured as the backdrop of many popular movies and television shows.

While visiting the DAR Library in person is unmatched, there are other ways people can utilize DAR Library resources. People can search the Online Library Catalog and other DAR genealogical databases through the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) at www.dar.org/grs. The GRS is a free online resource provided by the DAR to aid general genealogical research and to assist with the DAR membership process. The Online Record Copy Service is a way to purchase previously verified DAR membership applications to acquire established genealogical information and details on Revolutionary War ancestors. The DAR Library also provides search and photocopy services as well as documentation requests. Publications and guides compiled by the DAR Library are also valuable resources that can be purchased through the DAR Store.

Free and open access to the DAR Library and its resources are possible due to the generosity and support of DAR members. 

The DAR Library, located at 1776 D St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, is open to the public for free Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Group visits are always welcome. To register a group, call the DAR Library at (202) 879-3229 or email [email protected]. The DAR Library is closed Sundays, Federal holidays, and for one week during the DAR annual meeting during the summer. For more information on the DAR Library, visit www.dar.org/library.

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The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to winning American independence. The objectives of the DAR are to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.  Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. With more than 177,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Encompassing an entire downtown city block, DAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation’s premier genealogical libraries, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington, D.C.’s largest concert hall, and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.

 

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