COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA

a patriotic body of American women, dating from 1891 and 1892. It was founded to preserve the traditions and records of the Colonial period and the Revolution, as embodied in manuscripts, relics and buildings; to promote the celebration of historic events; to ventilate information regarding American history; to perpetuate the heroic deeds and worthy memory of the colonists; and to cultivate part riot ism. Members must have at least one ancestor who lived in America before 1750 and who rendered worthy service to the colonies. The organization is composed of a Colonial Society from each of the thirteen original States, a society from the District of Columbia, and an a ociate society from each of the non-colonial states. The Colonial Dames have been instrumental in restoring churches and colonial houses of historical portance; marking historical sites with tablets; and promoting prize e ays on patriotic and_ historical subjects by pupils of public schools and colleges, Its members number about 9,000.