5.23.20 – CDA Celebrates 130 Years

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.