The American Heritage Committee contest theme for 2026-2027
“Interpretation of the Flag of the United States of America”
Historic Dress: “Historic Dress of 1912”
The American Heritage Committee was established to preserve our rich American heritage in the fields of art and sculpture, crafts, fiber arts, literature and drama, music, jewelry, and photography. There are three ways Daughters may Illuminate Our Legacy by participating in the American Heritage Committee!
American Heritage Annual Contest. First, members may create an entry to submit into the annual contest. The theme for 2026-2027 is “Interpretation of the Flag of the United States of America.” June 14, 2027, marks the 250th anniversary of the Flag of the United States of America. There are many interpretations of the colors in our flag. The Flag, with its red, white, and blue, is a potent symbol of the nation's values, history and aspirations. Each color is often associated with ideals that resonate deeply within the American Spirit. What is your interpretation of the colors and the legacy that the Flag of the United States of America holds in your heart?
The historic clothing era will be “Historic Dress of 1912.” Characterized by sophistication, women's fashion in 1912 featured layered styles and marked a shift from the Edwardian era's S-shaped silhouettes to far more natural lines. Dressed in your finest, you plan to join others gathered at the Tidal Basin to see First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda plant two cherry trees. A gift from the people of Japan to the People of the United States of America, the cherry trees symbolize friendship, goodwill, and peace. As you stroll along the northern bank on this beautiful day in March, what are you wearing as you head to witness this ceremony? Describe your ensemble and your experience.
Prior to entering the contest, please take time to review the entry form which may be found in the Member’s Section of the NSDAR Website, under Forms – Committee Resources - American Heritage, and also on the American Heritage Committee page of the NSDAR website. You may submit only one individual entry each year but may also work on one other group entry with two or more individuals who were members of DAR at the time the work was created. For example, you may not enter something as an individual in both Literature & Drama and also in Fiber Arts. Choose one contest only for individual entries.
All entries must be submitted electronically. Depending on the category, photos or music are required to be submitted along with the American Heritage contest entry form. Fiber arts entries must be emailed between January 2 and January 15, 2027 to the Virginia State Chair at drkim.dar@gmail.com. Art and sculpture, crafts, jewelry, literature and drama, music and photography entries must be emailed to the appropriate National Vice Chair between January 2, 2027, and February 15, 2027. Email addresses for the National Vice Chairs may be found on the 2027 contest entry form, and on the American Heritage Committee page on the NSDAR website. Please send a copy of entry forms for all categories to the state chair so Virginia DAR has a record of member entries submitted each year. First, second, and third place national winners are invited to an awards ceremony during Continental Congress. They are also eligible to purchase a beautiful American Heritage National Winner pin for their winning category from the Insignia Store by submitting their awards certificate as documentation
First, second, and third place national winners are eligible to purchase a beautiful American Heritage National Winner pin for their winning category from the Insignia Store by submitting their awards certificate as documentation.
Women in the Arts Recognition Award. The second way to participate in the American Heritage committee is to present an award to honor a woman who has made significant achievements in her artistic field. This award is designed to recognize worthy women for outstanding accomplishments in the non-performance arts including fiber arts design and creation, fine arts, sculpture design and creation, music composition, literature and drama authorship, artisan design and creation including, but not limited to, jewelry, metalwork, decorative painting, pottery, jewelry and photography. This is a non-competitive, non-performance art award. There is no timeline for applications; states and chapters are invited to honor women (DAR members or non-members) with this award throughout the year. The application form (AHE-1005) may be found on the American Heritage Committee page of the NSDAR website. The completed form and all required documentation are to be submitted to the National Vice Chair for approval. Upon approval, a certificate and medal may be purchased for the awardee from the DAR Store.
American Heritage Programs. Need a program for a chapter meeting or event? The third way to celebrate our rich American Heritage is to present an American Heritage program. Click on the red tab on the American Heritage Committee home page on the NSDAR Members’ Website to view over 100 programs listed in seven categories: Art and Artists; Colonial Life; Education and Preservation; Holidays; Literature, Drama and Poetry; Music and Musicians; and Skits/Plays. The offered programs may be presented to help your chapter experience our rich heritage in the arts and many of the essays may be added to your chapter newsletters to inform members about our heritage and this committee.
During the Storage administration, you are invited to Illuminate Our Legacy by participating in one or more ways in the American Heritage Committee!
If you have questions or need clarification about any of the American Heritage Committee opportunities, please contact the Virginia State Chair at drkim.dar@gmail.com