The Colonial Dames of America
Mission Statement:
CDA honors American History through preservation and education.
Vision Statement:
CDA strives to be a relevant international resource which promotes the study of American history and the best practices of historic preservation.
About CDA
Founded in 1890, The Colonial Dames of America (CDA) is the first women’s colonial-focused lineage society dedicated to honoring American history through preservation and education. With nearly 40 chapters across the United States and in Europe, CDA is proud to be an international community of women committed to protecting the past and inspiring the future.
What We Do
The official Objects of the Society guide our work:
- To maintain its headquarters as a museum, and to maintain other restorations, for educational purposes;
- To provide educational opportunities and scholarships;
- To collect for preservation manuscripts, traditions, relics, and mementoes of American history;
- To commemorate the great historical events of the thirteen original Colonies; and
- To diffuse scholarly information and create popular interest in American history.
Through these objectives, CDA sustains a wide range of initiatives: historic preservation projects nationwide and abroad, annual scholarships and fellowships, the CDA Book Award program, and commemorations that deepen public understanding of America’s past.
Our Museum
CDA’s headquarters in New York City include the The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (MVHM&G), one of Manhattan’s few surviving 18th-century buildings. The museum is open to the public and offers a unique glimpse into life in early New York. Every CDA member is also a member of the museum, and chapters help support it through fundraising, promotional efforts, and service on the Council of Proprietors.
Our Community
Membership in CDA is by invitation only, for women who can trace their ancestry to colonial forebears who served in public office, as commissioned military officers, or in other qualifying roles listed in the Society’s Eligibility List. Candidates join through one of our chapters and, once admitted, become part of a community united by shared history and purpose.
Looking Ahead
More than 135 years since its founding, CDA remains dedicated to preserving historic sites, fostering education, and cultivating a community committed to ensuring that America’s past remains meaningful and accessible for generations to come.
