In each issue, the bimonthly DAR magazine, American Spirit, highlights an object from the DAR Museum collection in its "National Treasures" feature. These objects always have a story to tell about American history.
National Treasures
These three Late Victorian valentines chosen from more than 40 in the DAR Museum collection are lavishly romantic and in pristine condition. Lacy cutouts frame all three examples: a young girl reading...
This dapple-gray wooden rocking horse was probably made in either the United States or England in the second half of the 19th century, when the carved toy became most prevalent. Folklore holds that...
The cleaning and stabilization of a portrait almost always enhances its beauty. Occasionally a date, name or notation previously obscured may appear as cleaning proceeds. However, seldom is a portrait...
England’s Coalport Porcelain Factory made these elaborate ice pails around 1815. Founded in 1795 by John Rose, Coalport is now owned by Wedgwood. Coalport bone china was famous for the bold “British...
The sleeves and gathers of this little dress have been altered from their original appearance, but its charm is undiminished. The cheerful turquoise blue wool blend is set off by multicolored floral...
Lydia Russell’s silk embroidery is not only a beautiful example of schoolgirl art, but also a documentation of her family around 1809. Family records became popular in early-19th-century America in...
This unusual timepiece, dubbed a banjo clock because of its resemblance to the instrument, evolved from earlier English clocks of a similar form. Famous clockmaker Simon Willard of Grafton, Mass...
With no electric blankets or heating pads to warm up cold beds during 18th-century winter nights, comfort was often provided by a bed warmer. At the end of its long handle, the warmer held a metal pan...
Map experts generally agree that the Fry/Jefferson map is the most important 18th-century map of Virginia. It was the first map to accurately depict the Blue Ridge Mountains and Colonial roads, and it...
This elaborate epergne, or centerpiece, was made in England out of earthenware between 1780 and 1800. During the 18th century such an item would have been called a grand plat ménage, meaning a pile of...