The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to honor their ancestors, both men and women, who had supported the cause of liberty during the Revolutionary War. Along with paintings, ceramics, and silver, the DAR collected quilts, coverlets, samplers, clothing, and other domestic items long before most museums recognized their value. Over a century later, the DAR Museum continues to collect, preserve, and research these objects. The DAR Museum's quilt collection includes over 300 quilts, quilt tops, and embroidered counterpanes from the mid-1700s to the early 20th century. Over half the collection dates to before 1850, and at least two-thirds have a maker's name or some family history, making the collection an extraordinary resource for early American quilt history.
