In this episode of the DAR Today Podcast, we shine a light on the 135th Continental Congress as Daughters from across the nation gather in fellowship, service, and shared purpose. Continental Congress is more than a meeting—it is a living expression of who we are as Daughters and where we are headed together, for America 250. This is a time to reflect on legacy, celebrate the work being done across our chapters and states, and honor the mission that continues to guide us: historic preservation, education, and patriotism. In the spirit of illuminating our legacy, this episode recognizes the beauty of coming together in one place while carrying stories, service, and sisterhood from every corner of the country. Whether you are attending in person, following from home, or simply wanting to better understand what Continental Congress means to our Society, this episode offers a heartfelt look at why this gathering matters. It is a reminder that each Daughter has a place in this work, and that what we do today helps carry our shared legacy forward for the generations to come.
135th Continental Congress 2026
June 24 - 28, 2026
Join more than 3,500 Daughters from across the country and overseas as we convene in our nation’s capital each June. Continental Congress provides members with an opportunity to be inspired about the ideals, spirit, and work of the DAR. National, State and Chapter leaders as well as other members from across the world meet at DAR Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends. The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, social functions, and is topped off with formal evening ceremonies: Opening Night, Education Awards Night and National Defense Night.
At Continental Congress, you will:
🌸 discover new ways to promote the work of the DAR in your community,
🌸 attend heartening evening sessions,
🌸 marvel at the beauty of our national headquarters,
🌸 enjoy social events,
🌸 make new friends, and
🌸 renew old acquaintances.
Before the gavel sounds, before the ceremonies begin, and before Daughters gather once more in our nation’s capital, there is a story unfolding behind the scenes.
It is a story of service, preparation, and purpose.
And today, we are bringing you inside that story.
Something special is ahead for our Daughters this year.
The 135th Continental Congress is more than a gathering. It is a moment.
This is your lamppost moment, Daughters — a guiding light for Congress. And here is what you need to know: what to bring, what to wear, and where to look, so you can enjoy the week with confidence.
In the middle of all the movement and excitement, legacy is in bloom — in conversations, in ceremonies, in shared moments, and in the stories Daughters carry with them.
This is our moment to come together in our nation’s capital to celebrate service, sisterhood, and purpose, and to step into the first Continental Congress of President General Mrs. Ginnie Storage.
Today, on DAR Today, we are talking about what Daughters can expect, what they will not want to miss, and how this Congress helps illuminate our legacy.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the DAR Today Podcast.
I’m True Lewis, your National Chair and host, and I am delighted to bring you this special episode centered on the 135th Continental Congress in 2026.
Whether this is your first Congress or one of many, this episode is for you.
We are talking preparation, experience, inspiration, history, legacy, and the excitement awaiting Daughters in Washington, D.C.
Daughters, we are now at our 100th episode of the DAR Today Podcast, and it made us want to pause and consider 100 years of history. So our National Vice Chair, Writer, and Editor Haley came up with this research, and we wanted to share it with you.
Because Congress is more than an event.
It is the moment where we carry the torch of service, memory, and mission together.
At the 35th Continental Congress, which opened on April 19, 1935, President General Laura Haynes Cook, our Pennsylvania Daughter, presided. It was the largest gathering of Congress ever held. And as the Society grew, so did the demand for more space.
It was at this gathering that land for Constitution Hall was dedicated.
President General Cook noted the 151st anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which also took place on April 19. She told the assembled crowd:
“On this day, reminiscent of Lexington and Concord, if our faith in the high purpose of our national ideals has weakened or wavered, let the recollection of the courage and devotion of the men of 1775 teach us anew that an ideal vowed is never lost.
May we draw inspiration from that recollection to reconsecrate ourselves to the observance of the law, both in spirit and in deed.
And may we not only resolve to be, but in very truth become worthy citizens, united in effort to make our communities the dynamic units of self-government they were intended to be, and can become, with a definite purpose and will to perform on your part and mine.”
I don’t know about you, Daughters, but I still feel Mrs. Cook’s call today.
And I know many of you feel the same when you stand in Constitution Hall and see that flag drop on opening night.
That night of Continental Congress, President Calvin Coolidge addressed the audience. He offered interesting statistics about voter turnout since the passing of the 19th Amendment, urging higher voter turnout and get-out-the-vote campaigns as a fundamental part of our representative government.
He told members:
“This is not a partisan question, but a patriotic one. Your Society, which is organized to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, may well take a leading part in arousing public sentiment to the peril that arises when the average citizen fails to vote. The women of the country ought to be especially responsive to an appeal from you.”
Today’s DAR heard that appeal.
And for 100 years, we have carried that torch of service into naturalization ceremonies, Constitution Week events, Good Citizen Award ceremonies, and so much more.
We hope you are going into the 135th Continental Congress with joy — ready to share the light of our mission with old friends and make memories with new ones.
And that is our special segment for 100 episodes and 100 years of DAR history.
Daughters, I am going to share a few of my own personal tips.
Now, I know a lot of people out there have more and better advice, but these are some things I have used over the years as I hit the ground running when I get to Congress.
We wanted to give you just a few helpful reminders to make your experience smoother, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.
First, of course, I hope you have registered early. Early registration helps you plan your schedule, secure your materials, and feel prepared before arriving.
But if you have not done so, you still have time, and you may also register on-site at the Hall.
Know where to check in and where to pick up your registration materials. When you arrive, make sure you know where to receive your materials and your badge.
And your badge is one of the most important things.
Please remember, you will need it to enter Constitution Hall and to attend many Congress activities. Keep it with you at all times, and treat it like your keys to Congress.
Now, let’s talk clothing.
Continental Congress includes business sessions, evening events, committee activities, luncheons, and many special programs. Make sure you bring clothing that is appropriate, comfortable, and polished.
And your shoes — they have to be comfortable. That is a must.
There is a lot of walking, standing, and moving between events. So bring shoes that are both appropriate and kind to your feet.
And the most important thing for me — and I know you will probably all agree — do not forget your gloves.
For formal occasions, especially when wearing white or participating in official Congress events, gloves are always needed. Pack them ahead of time so you are not searching at the last minute.
I know for me, I keep them everywhere. It is funny — it is almost like hand sanitizer. They are in my car, in the living room, and I have no idea why, but it is just part of me now. I have to have the white gloves everywhere.
And remember the Ladies in White.
When you see them on-site, those Daughters dressed in white represent one of the most beautiful traditions of Continental Congress.
To our Pages, our Ladies in White, we thank you in advance.
They are always helpful. And just like we always say, look for the helpers. Those are the ones you look for — our Daughters, our Pages, and our Ladies in White.
Also, look for your Tiers Committee members.
If you need help inside the Hall, the Tiers Committee members are there to assist you. They can help guide you, answer questions, and support the flow of seating and movement during Congress.
So be kind to your Tiers Committee members. They are there to help you, to keep things moving, to keep the lanes clear, and to help you find your seating in the tiers.
Bring what you need for long days.
Consider carrying a small bag with your badge, phone charger, a notebook, your America 250 journal, a pen, tissues, water, light snacks, and any medications you may need.
And give yourself extra time.
Arrive a little early for meetings and sessions. Elevators, hallways, seating, and check-in areas can become very busy, especially during major events at the Hall and at the JW Marriott.
Whether this is your first Congress or your fifteenth, there is always something new to learn.
Do not hesitate to ask another Daughter. That is how I met so many Daughters during Congress — by asking questions when I was lost or when I did not know a procedure.
It is always helpful to ask another Daughter, a committee member, or one of our Congress volunteers. They are there to help.
Most of all, come ready to participate, learn, serve, and enjoy the fellowship of Daughters from all across our Society as we gather together in this meaningful season of DAR history.
Again, make sure you bring your journal or use a notebook for your America 250 DAR stories.
You can also find the America 250 journal in the DAR Store. That committee worked very hard on it, and I do not know why, but so far in this season, it has become my little personal secret treasure in DAR.
This is not just another Congress.
We are gathering during the season of America 250, and each and every Daughter is part of that story.
So write down what you see, what you feel, who you meet, what inspires you, and the moments you do not want to forget.
Here is my personal tip: at the end of each day, take five quiet minutes and write down three things:
A moment that moved you.
A Daughter who inspired you.
And one thing you want to take back home to your chapter.
Over the years, every time I have gone to Congress, the most fulfilling things I carry home are what I learned and the new friendships I made.
I have tried to keep in touch with many of those Daughters over the years, and those friendships have become some of the most trusted and fruitful friendships in my DAR life.
And I have always loved coming back to my chapter and sharing what happened at Congress — whether I attended alone, with one other Daughter, or with several.
You can use your notes for your chapter newsletter, too. Submit them to the person who edits your chapter newsletter. Let your chapter hear what you saw, what you learned, and what inspired you.
I hope some of these tips are helpful.
Years from now, those notes may become part of your chapter history, your family story, your America 250 reflection, and your own legacy record.
So bring the shoes that will carry you through the halls.
Bring the gloves for the traditions we honor.
Bring your badge so you can enter Constitution Hall.
And bring your heart and your curiosity, because your DAR story matters too — especially in this season of America 250 and as we illuminate our legacy.
I hope those tips help you, Daughters.
And just like that, Daughters, the excitement is building, the path is lit, and Congress is calling.
A reminder: do not forget your Constitution Hall pin and your 9/11 pin for the 25th anniversary of September 11.
As we look forward to Continental Congress, may we remember that this gathering is more than a schedule of events.
It is a living expression of who we are as Daughters — women of service, remembrance, education, patriotism, and purpose.
Whether you are attending for the first time or returning once again, may this Congress renew your spirit, strengthen your chapter work, and remind you that each of us has a place in illuminating our legacy during America 250.
So as you prepare for this unforgettable week, let this be your reminder: everything you need to know is here through DAR Today, from our website at dar.org to the Congress app.
Do not forget the Daughters Online Community app and the live streams on our YouTube channel.
From Experience America 250 to the ongoing landmark experiences, the full Congress experience is waiting for you.
And come see your podcast committee on Friday at Illuminating Our Service Night at the JW Marriott. That is where we will be.
Come ready to learn. Come ready to connect.Come ready to celebrate.
Come ready to walk in all those special moments that remind us who we are, what we carry, and why this work still matters today — from 1890 to 2026.
May the lamppost guide your way. May the torch remind you what we carry forward. And may legacy continue to bloom in every ceremony, every conversation, every landmark, and every Daughter who gathers in this special season of remembrance and purpose.
I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my National Vice Chairs for all you do in service to this work and in support of this podcast.
Thank you to Mrs. Pace, our Liaison and Curator General, and to our beloved President General, Mrs. Ginnie Sebastian Storage, for your leadership, your vision, and your steadfast support as we continue to illuminate our legacy together.
Daughters, we are so excited, we are ready, and we cannot wait to experience it all with you.The lights are coming down, the doors are opening, and Congress awaits.
See you in Washington, D.C., Daughters. It will be a beautiful sight to behold. When we gather, we will illuminate our legacy. Safe travels, and see you soon.