The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) is an organization devoted to furthering an appreciation of our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. The NSCDA was founded in 1891 and exists today as an unincorporated association of 44 corporate state societies with over 15,000 members nationwide. The NSCDA’s motto is “Virtutes Majorum Filiae Conservant”; Daughters conserve the virtues of their ancestors.

The NSCDA purchased the property at 2715 Q Street, NW, Washington, DC, now known as Dumbarton House, in 1928. The NSCDA began a major restoration of the property in 1931 under the direction of local architect Horace Peaslee and architectural historian Fiske Kimball. This restoration strove primarily to restore the property to its early 19th century character. It was also at this time that The NSCDA renamed the property Dumbarton House, to more accurately reflect the history of the land on which the home had sat for over 100 years. Shortly after the restoration was completed in 1932, Dumbarton House opened its doors to the public as an historic house museum.

Most recently, in 1986, The NSCDA Biennial Council voted to restore and expand Dumbarton House as part of its Centennial Celebration of 1991. Under the guidance of architect Martin Rosenblum and landscape architect Meade Palmer, The NSCDA added to its grounds a park and a large Palladian-inspired room which opens onto a terraced courtyard.

For more information about The NSCDA, please visit its Web site at www.nscda.org.

For links to other properties owned by The NSCDA, please click here.