5.23.20 – CDA Celebrates 130 Years
The Colonial Dames of America
Founded May 23, 1890
130th Birthday | 1890-2020
On a spring day on the bluffs of Weehawken, New Jersey, overlooking New York City, Maria Denning “May” Van Rensselaer (Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer) proclaimed “Let us found a patriotic society of women descended from colonial ancestry.”
The Colonial Dames of America was founded on May 23, 1890, and became the first colonial lineage society for women in the United States. 2020 marks the 130th anniversary of this now-international Society, today comprised of dozens of chapters across the United States and Europe.
Over the past 130 years, members have dutifully fulfilled the Society’s mission to honor American History through preservation and education. Today’s Dames remain committed as ever to undertaking projects in keeping with this mission.
More about the Society’s historic preservation projects
More about scholarships and public education
More about CDA Book Awards
More about the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
More about CDA chapters and their projects