The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (NSCDA/PA) For more information please visit the NSCDA website.
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About
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of forty-five corporate societies which belong to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The NSCDA, headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1891 and currently encompasses over 15,000 members. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America is dedicated to furthering an appreciation of America’s national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. Mission Statement
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is dedicated to preserving our State and National heritage through preservation of historic properties, conservation of antiquities and archives, education, scholarships, patriotism and respect for our Colonial ancestors whose distinguished service prior to 1776 and ideals are the foundation of our Country. Adopted by the Board of Managers

October 10, 2003

History
The Colonial style house and gardens serve as the Pennsylvania headquarters for The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The Society is composed entirely of women who are descended in their own right from some ancestor of worthy life who, residing in an American colony prior to 1750 rendered efficient service to his country during the Colonial period. The objects of the Society are to collect, preserve, educate and restore objets connected with the early history of our country. The Society awards scholarships to outstanding students of American history and nursing,and welcomes new citizens. In addition, the Societys historical research program is well known for its collection of historical data on Colonial times. The Pennsylvania Society also contributes to the preservation of several homes: Stenton Mansion, Sulgrave Manor, Gunston Hall, and Dumbarton House located in Washington D.C. and serves as our National Headquarters.

It was a lovely day at Latimer Street HQ!New Dame Cora Pluta discovered a portrait of her great-grandmother, Elizabeth B...
09/17/2026

It was a lovely day at Latimer Street HQ!

New Dame Cora Pluta discovered a portrait of her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Battles Newlin, on the President's wall.

Dr. Glenda Goodman shared the stories of two female amateur muscians from her book "Cultivated By Hand" and brought along her student to play live selections of music from the Early National Republic era.

And it was a stellar day for lunch in the garden!

Join us!
09/02/2026

Join us!

Happy September! We hope to see you at our programs and special events this month! Visit www.stenton.org/programs for more info and to RSVP.

September 9th, 6:30 PM - "For The Common Good: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation" Docuseries Screening at the Philadelphia Film Society. Free event, RSVP required.

September 12th, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Second Saturday Nature Adventure with In Coloring Birding and PHS Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at Stenton Museum. Free event, RSVP encouraged.

September 25th, 6:00-9:00 PM - The Logan Awards Dinner at The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania Headquarters. Ticketed event, please RSVP by September 11th.

The PA Dames visted HSP twice last week for two successful programs! "Out of the Archives" For the Common Good event on ...
08/31/2026

The PA Dames visted HSP twice last week for two successful programs!

"Out of the Archives" For the Common Good event on Wed. August 26:

Pictured here Stenton's Laura Keim and HSP's Justina Barrett discussing documents relating to Polly Norris Dickinson. (Polly's episode had its public premiere!)

And that small pocket diary? That's where Deborah Norris Logan wrote about Dinah's death. We get chills just looking at it!

"History on the Street" Sat Aug 30:

Rachel Corma shared Stenton and stories of Dinah with NHD Philly teachers and students.

Logania 250! Very exciting!
07/10/2026

Logania 250! Very exciting!

To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, Stenton presents 'Logania250: Stenton Collections Reassembled'. Placed throughout the house, the 'Logania250' exhibition reunites over fifty Logan and related family objects on loan from the City of Philadelphia’s Loudoun collection and the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel, including extraordinary portraits, furnishings, and personal effects that reinforce the palpability of the past at Stenton. Many of these objects have been in storage or out of public view for decades. Stenton is grateful to Theresa Stuhlman and the City of Philadelphia, the staff of the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel, the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, Freeman's auction house, and the The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America- Pennsylvania's Wetherill Fund for supporting this exhibition. Now on view.

Make sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages every Friday, beginning July 17th, as we highlight one of these objects!

We can't leave June without sharing more photos from our incredible "For the Common Good" event at Historic Rock Ford.Wh...
06/28/2026

We can't leave June without sharing more photos from our incredible "For the Common Good" event at Historic Rock Ford.

What a pleasure to partner with Christina McSherry, HRF staff and volunteers, who ensured "plan B" went off without a hitch during the unrelenting rains!

Thanks to the Lancaster/York/Dauphin County Committee for hosting a stellar cocktail party on the porch of the General Edward Hand Mansion. The rain didn't dampen our spirits!

The Langmuir Education Room provided a cozy space for viewing 3 FTCG episodes... popcorn included! Thanks to panelists Andrew Ferrett and Dr. Scott Gordon who joined Mickey Herr and HRF curator Sarah Alberico for an informative discussion.

We topped off the evening in the Snyder Gallery (home to a stellar collection of Lancaster Co decorative arts) to visit the newly installed Ann Wood Henry portrait.

We PA Dames have been SO busy these last few days, we are behind in posting updates! We had five events since the beginn...
06/16/2026

We PA Dames have been SO busy these last few days, we are behind in posting updates! We had five events since the beginning of June!

Our year-end activities always include a day-long annual board retreat, with current and past board members coming together to evaluate and strategize for the future, working to continue our mission: education, preservation, and service.

This year, we also enjoyed a special tour of Stenton with curator Laura Keim, who shared new items in the collection. We especially enjoyed Deborah Norris Logan's teapot and wedding buckles (on loan through the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.)

A highlight was participating in the Flag Day Naturalization Ceremony, welcoming new American Citizens, at the Federal Couthouse in Philadelphia. What better way to honor our Nation's Founding?

We took our "For the Common Good" project two more places... several Philadelphia Dames joined the Lancaster/Dauphin/York county committee, who hosted a lovely cocktail party on the (rainy-day) porch at Historic Rock Ford. We had a great panel discussion with FTCG Director Andrew Ferrett & Lehigh professor Dr. Scott Gordon. (More photos to come!)

We had a great time at the Colonial PA Farmstead sharing FTCG among the free-range sheep and lovely 18th-c atmosphere, the kitchen fire from the cooking classes provided amazing smell-a-vision ambience! We were amazed by the labor-intensive "from field to fabric" demonstrations around creating linen!

And not to be missed, the "Book Club for Curious Ladies" gathered for a year-end luncheon.

We'll be taking a much-needed July break. But stay tuned for reminders for upcoming August FTGC events at the Betsy Ross House (First Friday!) & the Historical Society of PA (Paths to Liberty.)

Until then, we send best wishes for a lovely summer and safe travels! Happy Fourth of July!

We are so proud of our Board President Gina Whelan, whose work is featured in this great article on Revolutionary Era cr...
06/16/2026

We are so proud of our Board President Gina Whelan, whose work is featured in this great article on Revolutionary Era craft work:

In the spirit of 1776, these shipwrights, printers and textile workers are commemorating George Washington’s legacy through 18th-century techniques.

Mark your calendar! The biennial Logan Awards Dinner is our most important fundraiser for Stenton and History Hunters.Fo...
05/27/2026

Mark your calendar!

The biennial Logan Awards Dinner is our most important fundraiser for Stenton and History Hunters.

For further info on our honorees, sponsorships, and all programming visit https://www.stenton.org/jameslogan-awarddinner

Stay tuned for updates!

05/27/2026
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Stenton Garden Party. We couldn't have asked for more glorious weather! (And the ...
05/08/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Stenton Garden Party. We couldn't have asked for more glorious weather! (And the rain stayed away!)

PA Dames President (and award-winning textile conservator) Gina Whelan was ecstatic to see Stenton's newest acquisition, a sampler created by Deborah Norris Logan's mother, Mary Parker, in 1746.

We heard heartfelt words from History Hunters participants and received a check from our sister Dames organization, CDA Chapter II, who generously contributed to the History Hunters program.

Address

1630 Latimer Street
Philadelphia, PA
19103

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