CDA Insignia History
History of the CDA Insignia
Development
Soon after CDA’s founding in 1890, it was decided that the organization should have a badge for members to represent themselves. Originally intended to be mandatory for members, the badge was designed to be emblematic of the heritage that CDA members hold so dear, as well as a fine piece of jewelry that any lady would be happy to adorn herself with. Mrs. May King Van Rensselaer took it upon herself to correspond with designers at Tiffany & Co. by then a well-established design and jewelry house. Surviving letters detail her correspondence with J.H. Whitehouse at Tiffany’s, working closely with him on the development of the design. One letter in particular indicates that Mrs. Van Rensselaer supplied her own likeness for their use, though it is unclear whether or not this likeness was utilized in the final design.
The price for the dies in a letter from 1890 was quoted as $200 (approximately $7,123 today), with the price for each badge coming out to $25 (approximately $890 today) whether in gold or enamel. A letter from 1919 details a price increase to $36 for gold, and $12 for silver gilt.
Our Badge is Born
From the 1904 Colonial Dames of America Yearbook:
“Our gold badge, with bars, clasp and ribbon, was adopted after much debate. The original design of the Colonial lady, with fan, was sketched by Mr. Whitehouse, in his studio at Tiffany’s. Mr Seward suggested the Latin motto. The badge ribbon of The Colonial Dames of America is intended to be a pale blue, and as much like the colors of the Society of the Cincinnati as possible. The ribbon is manufactured in France for Tiffany & Co. expressly for our Dames. The silver-gilt badges are precisely the same as the gold, in form and design.”
Insignia of the President General
The insignia of the President General of the society is transferred along with the role, passed down from President to President. Though the badge image remains the same, there are slight differences, namely that the Presidential Insignia goes around the neck, rather than the standard pin. Additionally, the badge is framed by twenty-two diamonds. In 1892, when the first number chapter was formed, Chapter I – Baltimore, they donated a small diamond to adorn the Society’s Presidential insignia, which was designed in 14k yellow gold by Tiffany & Co. It is engraved on the back:
The Colonial Dames of America
President General
1890
The tradition continued with subsequent chapters, gifting these diamonds to encircle the Presidential Insignia. The final participant in this tradition was Chapter XXII – Michigan.
In honor of CDA’s 130th anniversary, President General Brantley Knowles designated Chapters I-XXII as “Diamond Chapters of the Society” to remember the special tradition they created.
The President General wears her unique insignia with pride to all CDA events, functions, and official duties, as a reminder to herself and others of her role and the organization she represents.
Insignia Policies and Procedures
Policies
- Each insignia should be recorded at CDA headquarters with information including the member’s name and custom issuance number (These are not member numbers).
- Only members of the Society are permitted to wear the insignia.
- Insignia may be worn in only the following ways, in keeping with the preservation of Society traditions and the exclusive nature of The Colonial Dames of America:
How to Wear the CDA Insignia
- The insignia must be placed above the heart on the left side, above the breast. It is to be sewn onto a folded ribbon (standard folded length: 5″; can be longer to accommodate multiple ancestor bars or pins) of official CDA cerulean and cream silk ribbon (see photo at right).
- No brooch or any type of jewelry may be worn above or immediately adjacent to CDA insignia. Other pins should not be affixed to the insignia ribbon except the official ancestor/supplemental bars, CDA gold and diamond stars of Past Presidents General, CDA gold and sapphire stars of Past Chapter Presidents, CDA gold and ruby stars for current or past Board service (Society or Chapter level), the Van Rensselaer Award pin, or the Council of Proprietors pin.
- At no time is the insignia, pin or badge of another organization – or a “branch bar-type pin” – to be worn at the same time as CDA insigniaAlthough the insignia is purchased by a member and remains hers for her lifetime, CDA considers insignia to belong to the Society. Insignia may not be sold except by the Society
- A member of the Society is encouraged to wear the insignia during her lifetime and, upon her death, will it to a daughter or family member who is, or is eligible to become, a candidate for membership. If there is no such person, the insignia should be returned to The Colonial Dames of America for recording, and potential reissuance.
- Insignia is worn to official CDA meetings, events and gatherings, or when one is representing the Society at a special function or funeral. At no time is insignia to be worn in public otherwise.
Chapter Presidents
The insignia, when worn by a Chapter President, is pinned above the end of a mitred length of official CDA cerulean and cream silk ribbon (standard length 36”) and worn around the neck (see photos below).
Pins and Precedence
The order of precedence of bars and pins on the official CDA ribbon below the Founder’s Date Bar and above the pendant badge are:
- Ancestor and Supplemental Bars
- Past President General’s Star
- Past Chapter President’s Star
- Chapter and Society Board of Managers’ Star
- Van Rensselaer Award
- Council of Proprietors Pin
Miniature Insignia
A member may purchase a miniature official CDA insignia to be worn sewn onto a narrow length of official CDA cerulean and cream silk ribbon. This smaller insignia was originally designed to be worn with formal and evening attire
Bars and Pins
The Registrar General is the final authority on the placement of supplemental ancestor bars.
Ancestor and Supplemental Bars: For every proven qualifying ancestor, whether from the original membership application or a supplemental application, a bar engraved with the respective ancestor’s name may be added to the insignia. There is no limit to the number of supplemental applications submitted or bars worn. For accommodating multiple ancestor bars, a longer insignia ribbon may be ordered.
Past Chapter President Pin: The gold and sapphire stars may be worn by Past Chapter Presidents.
Board Service Pin: The gold and ruby star may be worn for current or past Board service at either the Society or Chapter level.
Van Rensselaer Award Pin: This pin is bestowed upon recipients of the Van Rensselaer Award for Distinguished Service (VRA) for outstanding service to their respective chapter, local community, and/or to the Society.
Council of Proprietors Pin: Each chapter may designate a Museum Proprietor who serves as an ambassador for the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, wholly owned and operated by CDA. The custom-designed Council of Proprietors Pin is handed down from outgoing Proprietor to incoming Proprietor within each chapter.
Non-Insignia Items
CDA Medallion Charm: May be worn at any time and in any fashion such as on a necklace, bracelet or pin.
CDA Recognition Star Pin: When the Society was founded in 1890, members wore either official insignia or the recognition pin. The latter may be worn at times when it is inappropriate to wear insignia, such as in public.
