DATE: 1897 - 2001
CREATOR: National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Missouri
SCOPE: Consists of administrative papers from the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri including meeting minutes from national and state meetings, National Constitution Acts, procedures manuals, conference proceedings, etc. dating from 1897 to 2001. The collection holds information on the historical properties in the state of Missouri held by the NSCDA, including training guides, tour information, special events, insurance evaluations, inventories, garden plan, and restoration. Materials on other historical houses including Gunston Hall and Hanley House are contained within this collection. The collection contains materials published by NSCDA committees and the membership records of deceased members of the NSCDA in the State of Missouri.
The original organization of this collection has been maintained. Membership records are arranged alphabetically.
EXTENT: 19 boxes
HISTORY: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America was founded in 1891. It includes 45 Corporate Societies and has over 15,000 members. The NSCDA is a genealogical society, composed of women who are descendents of individuals who resided within the American Colony in some capacity of service, whether military or political, prior to 1775. Members of the organization are actively involved in projects pertaining to historic preservation and patriotic service. The organization also maintains a scholarship program and museums. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri own and operate two historic homes, the Louis Bolduc House and Bolduc-LeMeilleur House. The first members of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri were admitted in 1894.
The material in this collection was donated to the St. Louis Mercantile Library by the National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Missouri in January 2002.
ACCESS: Access to portions of this collection may be restricted to ensure the confidentiality of personal data and financial information relating to the organization. Please contact the staff in advance of your visit to coordinate access to these materials for research purposes.
When available, This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material in Special Collection M-147 may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition. For collections marked limited access, researchers are advised to contact the library at least three business days in advance of their visit to submit a request to view the physical material.
A finding aid for this collection is available for download:
Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building.
In observance of security procedures, certain services may not be available shortly before the daily closing time.
Preferred Citation: When citing the material from this collection, the preferred citation is: From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Other Resources:
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America: Eligibility Lists of the Colonial States Societies. [S.I]: Printed for the Society, 1914. Print.
Lamar, Clarinda Pendleton. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Its Aims and Achievements. [Pennsylvania]: The Pennsylvania Society, 1923. Print.
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri. National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri. [St. Louis, Mo.: National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri], 1973. Print.
