The DAR Library was founded in 1896 as a collection of genealogical and historical publications for the use of staff genealogists. Shortly after 1900, the growing collection was opened to the public and has remained so ever since.
Today, the Mission of the DAR Library is to support and enhance the National Society’s membership application process and to further the goals of the National Society by acquiring and preserving historical materials related to genealogical research, primarily American genealogical research, and by acquiring and preserving records related to the American Revolutionary War period. This focus has made the DAR Library one of the nation’s premier genealogical research centers based on the uniqueness of its resources. The Library’s book collection exceeds 225,000 volumes. Approximately 3,000 new titles enter the Library each year, many of which are works printed in limited quantities.
Many thousands of volumes of genealogical compilations, record abstracts, and other materials are available only at the DAR Library. DAR members and the public have contributed these sources, building a collection of great research depth covering all periods of American history. The period of the American Revolution is naturally a major focal point, but the colonial era and the nineteenth century receive detailed coverage as well. Through the efforts of local DAR members and chapters nationwide, almost 20,000 volumes of Genealogical Records Committee Reports have entered the Library and constitute a unique source for family histories, cemetery record transcriptions, and Bible records.
The microform holdings of the Library’s Seimes Technology Center, numbering over 53,000 items, provide a major supplement to printed materials in the Library proper. The focus of the Center’s collection is on Revolutionary War records of the federal and state governments and collections of land and court records from various states.
The Library also offers genealogical education opportunities through lectures and educational programming.
Note: The DAR Library does not loan or sell any of the books listed in its catalog, nor will the Library make photocopy reproductions of entire books. The Library resources are free to all visitors. Persons who cannot visit the Library may wish to contact the DAR Library Search and Copy Services for assistance.