Our Unique History
Being in the history-rich District of Columbia, Daughters have placed hundreds of historical markers on buildings, gravesites, trails, and even trees across the District to raise awareness for preservation of these sites, as well as honor the significance where history was made.
DCDAR has submitted entries to the NSDAR Historic Sites and Properties Database as well as contributed materials and items to the NSDAR Museum and Americana Collection.
Members, past and present, have volunteered many hours to collect, digitize, and preserve historical, genealogical, and photographic records for future generations. DCDAR has an archive room at its chapter house where its history is stored and preserved.
The District of Columbia Boundary Stones
One significant project of DCDAR is the preservation and recognition of the District of Columbia Boundary Stones.
The Nation’s First National Monuments—our unique Boundary Stones: The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, as amended March 3, 1791, authorized President George Washington to select a 100-square-mile site for the national capital on the Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia, and Williamsport, Maryland. Major Andrew Ellicott, along with Benjamin Banneker, an astronomer and mathematician from Maryland, began surveying the ten-mile square on February 12, 1791. Over the period of two years, a total of 40 stones were placed forming the District of Columbia.
In 1915, in response to a lecture by Fred E. Woodward calling attention to the deterioration of the District of Columbia Boundary Stones, the District Daughters voluntarily assumed the responsibility of protecting the stones by erecting a tall iron fence around each one. For decades afterward, DAR members visited the stones periodically to perform routine maintenance and monitor the condition for signs further deterioration.
History
In 1791, after years of controversy and debate over the location of the permanent seat of government, President Washington issued a proclamation giving the exact boundaries of the “district for the permanent seat of government.” By late June of that year, all of the landowners had signed the necessary deeds.
The mile markers of the original boundary of the District of Columbia were put in place from 1791-1792 by Andrew Ellicott. Larger stones are laid at the north, south, east, and west corners of the original ten-mile square. The south corner stone was ceremoniously laid at Jones’ Point on April 15, 1791.
In 1846, the Federal Government returned to the state of Virginia the thirty-three square miles of land that Virginia had ceded to the Federal Government in 1789. Fourteen markers, or boundary stones, are still located in Northern Virginia, and twenty-six are located along the District of Columbia–Maryland boundary.
There has been a gradual deterioration of these historic boundary markers due to neglect and a lack of concern. Many of these stones have been buried or destroyed.
DCDAR's Contribution
On April 7, 1915, the DAR Committee on Preservation of Historic Spots and Records (for the District of Columbia) selected the reclaiming of the boundary stones as its project for the year. The committee passed a resolution which later was endorsed by the State Regent and adopted by the State Society:
“That the DCDAR take up for part of their patriotic work for the year, the preservation and protection of the old boundary stones on which are recorded the oldest records of the District, by placing an iron fence around each stone, to be done by Chapter or individually.”
Today, the DCDAR continues to preserve these historical monuments and create public awareness of their importance.
Other Historic Preservation Projects: DC War Memorial and DC Revolutionary War Statues
The District of Columbia War Memorial
The District of Columbia War Memorial honors the District's citizens who served in World War I.
Located on the National Mall along Independence Avenue, the District of Columbia War Memorial was erected in 1931, after being authorized by an act of Congress on June 7, 1924. President Herbert Hoover dedicated the memorial as part of a commemoration of Armistice Day November 11, 1931.
As the only local District memorial on the National Mall, it honors the citizens of the District of Columbia who served in World War I. Encased in the cornerstone of the structure is a list of the 26,000 DC citizens who served. The names of the 499 citizens killed while serving in the Great War are inscribed on the base of the monument. The National Park Service administers the memorial under the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit.
DCDAR's Contribution
On a regular basis, the District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution visits the memorial and honors the fallen World War I soldiers of the District of Columbia and all those who served through wreath-layings and memorial services.
An ongoing project of the DCDAR is the cataloguing of each name inscribed upon the monument, sharing the stories and sacrifices of the individuals honored. The names of the 499 killed are listed below. Biographical information and pictures will continue to be added to this site, so check back regularly.
Call Boxes
Ever wondered what these large iron objects on the street corners of D.C. are?
At the turn of the 20th Century, before the telephone was in common use, these iron sculptures served as call boxes in order to quickly reach emergency services through the use of telegraph. The two shapes and styles of the call box helped distinguish between police call boxes and fire call boxes. If there was a fire nearby, people could run to the nearest call box and report the incident. Police officers patrolling the neighborhood would use the call boxes to check in with their precincts.
The call boxes remained in place even during World War II when many cities collected scrap metal to support the war effort. They were in use for many decades, until advances in technology, such as the use of radios and better equipment, allowed emergency services to respond without using the call box system. When the call boxes were decommissioned in the 1970s, many were left in place, as they were costly to remove, eventually falling into disrepair.
Starting in 2020, the District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution have been working to restore several call boxes located on Capitol Hill. First, an assessment of the condition of the call boxes was conducted and DC Daughters documented whether the call boxes were in poor, fair or excellent condition. While some call boxes are a bit rusty with chipping paint, there are several that are missing pieces, and some where only the base is left.
Through this page, you can see the transformation of these call boxes from disrepair to restoration. Click below to learn more each call box.
Check out all the Call Boxes
3rd St @ D St NE (300 D St NE)
7th & C NE (300 7th St NE) - dedicated to Ms. Alice Lee Moqué
Massachusetts @ 7th St NE (210 7th St NE)
12th @ East Capitol (Lincoln Park) (1126 E Capitol St NE)
8th St @ G St SE (Commandant's House) (801 G St SE)
