COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA, The National Society of. An ancestral and patriotic organization of American women, founded 19 May 1892, and composed of one Colonial Society from each of the 13 original States, one society from the District of Colum bia and one associate society from each of the non-colonial States. The objects of the Na tional Society are: To preserve colonial his tory, traditions, manuscripts, records, relics and buildings; to perpetuate the brave deeds and glorious memory of the colonists, and to en gender and encourage patriotism. To be eligible to membership a woman must be descended from some worthy ancestor who rendered valu able service to the colonies and who became a resident of America previous to 1750. Mem berships are obtained only upon invitation from those already enrolled, and must be procured through admittance into the Colonial Society, of the ancestral State, where the service of the ancestor was rendered. The work of the Society has been patriotic. During the Cuban war nurses and supplies for the sick were sup plied; at the close of the war a splendid monu ment, in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D. C.,
Ito the memory of the soldiers and sailors, who gave up their lives in the late war with Spain,'" was erected by the Society oin the name of the Women of the Nation.* One of the most valuable and interesting collections of colonial relics and furnishings is under the control of the New York Society at the old Van Cortlandt manor house in Van Cortlandt Park Churches and colonial houses of historical im portance have been restored; historical sites marked with tablets; prizes awarded for essays on patriotic and historical subjects to pupils of public schools and colleges. A complete list of the soldiers and sailors who fell in the Cuban campaign form the contents of a Record Book compiled by the Society. Great credit is due this organization for preserving many historical places which otherwise might have been destroyed. The Society numbers (1918) 9,000 members. It holds a biennial council in Washington, D. C.