August 8, 1890, is a significant date in history as Caroline Harrison, the wife of President Benjamin Harrison, founded the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This new women’s organization had a clear mission: to honor those who fought in the American Revolution and to preserve the legacy of liberty. However, membership came with a requirement: it was only open to women who could prove a direct descent from a patriot of that war.

Why it Matters

• DAR was born in the age of lineage pride. The late 19th century saw a surge in hereditary societies. Americans were digging into their roots to claim status—and moral high ground.
• It wasn’t just about ancestry. The DAR quickly turned its attention to civic causes, including the preservation of historic sites, the promotion of American history education, and the encouragement of patriotism. In 1895, Congress granted it a charter, giving it national recognition.

But patriotism, it turns out, was complicated.

Good, Bad, and Ugly

As DAR grew, so did its reputation—for better and for worse.

• The good: The organization funded scholarships, supported soldiers during wartime, and helped conserve historic landmarks nationwide.
• The bad: DAR developed a fiercely conservative identity. It rejected progressive movements and international alliances. It opposed the League of Nations, the United Nations, and even the New Deal.
• The ugly: In 1939, DAR infamously denied Black opera singer Marian Anderson the use of Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., for a concert. That decision sparked national outrage and led First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to publicly resign her DAR membership.

In later decades, DAR doubled down. It accused UNESCO of spreading socialism through schools and condemned textbooks it deemed “unpatriotic.” In the 1950s, it blacklisted Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and slammed “dangerous” novels like Brave New World and Hiroshima.

Despite its controversies, the DAR has endured. Today, it continues to promote genealogy, education, and historic preservation, adhering to its founding ideals even as the world around it changes.