Founding History
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (NSCDA/PA) was founded in 1891 by a group of Philadelphia women who, as descendants of colonial ancestors, wished to form a women’s organization dedicated to honoring the colonial history of the United States. Following on the heels of the United States Centennial in 1876, they built upon renewed interest in America's past, working to “inspire…. a genuine love of country” through preservation of historic collections and buildings, as well as education, and to promote interest in the stories of our nation’s founding and development.
“Celebrating 125 Years of Stenton Stewardship”
The Pennsylvania Society founders were a group of women who set out to make a difference. Notes historian Sandra M. Lloyd, "These were women who did things, driven by a desire to preserve the past, while engaging the present, yet keeping a clear eye focused on the future" (1999). The organization became involved in the preservation of Stenton in 1899, believing, in the words of Mary Chew, an elder stateswoman of the Society at the time, that the "fine old mansion [would] prove to be an important acquisition, not only to The Colonial Dames, but to the city of Philadelphia." Despite the great challenges, financial and otherwise, the Dames signed an agreement with the Logan family on December 9, 1899, and the museum's Opening Day was held on May 23, 1900.
Over the last century of custodianship at Stenton, the Dames have developed into leaders in the field of historic preservation, restoration and the interpretation of historic sites. In November 2000, the national organization (NSCDA) received the prestigious Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of historic sites from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Founding Dames
Here in Pennsylvania, it all starts with two ladies, Elizabeth Gillespie and her dear friend Fanny Arnold. It’s the summer of 1890 and the two ladies are vacationing at a big Victorian hotel in Mt. Desert Maine. Fanny and Elizabeth have been talking amongst their friends about the possibility of founding a new lineage society. Also in Mt. Desert are a group of their New York friends who have already decided on how they think things should be set up and are calling their group the Colonial Dames of America. The New York ladies were busy encouraging their Philadelphia friends to join in with them.
One night, as she tossed and turned in bed, pondering the invitation from the New York ladies, Elizabeth Gillespie got up, padded down the hallway, and knocked on the door of her friend Fanny’s room. She said,
“Fanny, I cannot get to sleep for thinking over the story of those women and I just want you to know I’ll never be a tail to the New York kite, and now goodnight.”
As the great-granddaughter of none other than Benjamin Franklin himself, this was a serious response to the New York ladies’ invitation. Elizabeth wasn’t having it!
Neither lady was satisfied by what their New York friends had in mind, but they WERE interested in setting up what they planned to call the Philadelphia Society of the Colonial Dames of America, which they agreed would not run under the auspices of the New York group.
Back in Philadelphia—in response to continued pressure from the New York contingent to join their group, Fanny Arnold had enough. She called a meeting at her townhouse at 1301 Locust Street. Handwritten notes were sent out to illicit sponsors, followed by printed invitations.
On April 8, 1891, about 30 attendees arrived in Fanny Arnold’s parlor. Among them were several
Philadelphia ladies who joined in as representatives of the New York contingent, as they hoped to
finally convince their friends to join their Dames group. They, however, were quickly dispatched from the meeting. And the rest, as they say, is history. (There’s a bit more to this story, as the use of the “Colonial Dames” name became a court case that reached the NY Supreme Court!)
The ladies who remained in Fanny’s salon quickly got to work. Calling themselves the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames, they elected their officers. Fanny Arnold did not wish to hold an office; she is on record stating she was happy to be the host and catalyst. Most importantly, this group of ladies believed that Pennsylvania was only the start. They hoped that every Colonial State would step up and create their own society, to become a loose confederation of state societies, each with a constitution and “vested with power to act,” versus a centralized body. Which is exactly what happened. Within three short years, the Pennsylvania Society’s vision had gained tremendous support, and the NSCDA had grown to 14 state societies representing the 13 original states and the District of Columbia.
Officers Elected on April 8, 1891 (photos below left to right)
President: Julia Rush Biddle
First VP: Elizabeth McKean
Second VP: Elizabeth Duane Gillespie
Treasurer: Ellen Waln Harrison
Secretary: Anne Hollingsworth Wharton
Officers as listed on Founding Charter in June 1891
President: Deborah Brown Coleman
First VP: Elizabeth McKean
Second VP: Elizabeth Duane Gillespie
Recording Secretary: Rebecca Winsor
Corresponding Secretary: Lily Sturgis Mifflin
Treasurer: Mary Lardner Starr
Historian: Anne Hollingsworth Wharton
Additional Managers: Hitty Markoe Zantzinger, Harriet Odin Carpenter, Fanny Hollingworth Arnold, Ellen Waln Harrison, Maria Dallas Sanders, Marianne Biddle
The PA Founding Dames
(PA-1) Fanny Hollingsworth Arnold
(PA-2) Anne Hollingsworth Wharton
(PA-3) Harriet Odin Carpenter
(PA-6) Rebecca Clifford Fox
(PA-7) Ann Poultney Large Mifflin
(PA-8) Elizabeth Camac Chapman Winsor
(PA-19) Elizabeth Waln Harrison
(PA-28) Lydia Thompson Morris
(PA-36) Rebecca Chapman Winsor
(PA-52) Maria Dallas Sanders
(PA-125) Hannah Lewis Scott
(PA-127) Elizabeth Wharton McKean
(PA-174) Julia William Rush Biddle
(PA-259) Emily Redwood Lyman
(PA-266) Elizabeth Duane Gillespie
(PA-283) Sophia Bache Irwin
(PA-323) Hitty Markoe Wharton Pepper Zantzinger
New Subscribers (as listed on Charter)
All 17 of the original Founding Dames signed the Charter as subscribers, along with the following additional ladies:
(PA-4) Lily Sturges Mifflin
(PA-9) Deborah Brown Coleman
(PA-175) Marianne Biddle
(PA-182) Ellen Emlen
(PA-64) Mary Lardner Starr
Trivia tidbit
The colors of the NSCDA are blue and gold.
The PA Dames got their inspiration from Philadelphia’s official city flag (the first of its kind) which features blue and gold in honor of our city’s original Swedish settlers who arrived before William Penn in 1638.
Invitation sent by Fanny Arnold. Of the ladies listed on this invitation, two did not end up joining the PA Society, Mary Ellen Jackon Frazier and Elizabeth Norris.
Arnold Residence, 1301 Locust Street, demolished, Phila City Archives.
Original Charter held at Latimer Street Headquarters. Witnessed in June 1891, signed by city officials between 13th and 22nd of July 1891. Photograph by Joe Painter.
Mrs. G. Dawson Coleman's Insignia
Sources:
NSCDA-PA Digital Archive, Member Lineage Papers
Original Charter of The Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America (incorporated 13 Jun 1891), held at NSCDA-PA headquarters
A History of the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America, April 1891-1951, (Historical Research Committee, NSCDA-PA 1952), pp 7-13, 25-26
Lamar, Mrs. Joseph Rucker, A History of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, From 1891 to 1933 (NSCDA 1934), pp 19-27