Girl Scout History Project

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Girl Scout Conventions–Discover Daisy in DC

The 58th Girl Scout National Convention convenes in Washington DC on July 20, 2026. This is the fourth time the convention has been held in the nation’s capital (after 1915, 1923, and 1975). I created a Girl Scout-themed walking tour of Washington DC for the occasion. Unfortunately, a lack of council support and subsequent construction…

Ann Robertson
3–5 minutes
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The 58th Girl Scout National Convention convenes in Washington DC on July 20, 2026. This is the fourth time the convention has been held in the nation’s capital (after 1915, 1923, and 1975).

I created a Girl Scout-themed walking tour of Washington DC for the occasion. Unfortunately, a lack of council support and subsequent construction closures around the White House kept it off the official schedule.

With two years of work invested, I incorporated the walking tour in a display at the Nation’s Capital Council headquarters. The office is located at 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, atop the Van Ness Metro station.

Walking in Her Shoes

The full tour has 18 locations, but I trimmed it to 13 for the display. Detail are below.

The new display also introduces “Miss Daisy” to Washington DC area Girl Scouts.

Museum display case showing a map, documents, awards, and photos on the left; on the right, a mannequin in a Girl Scout-style uniform sits on a chair with medals, a diploma, and photos displayed below.

Miss Daisy is a multimedia sculpture by artist and lifetime Girl Scout Merana Cadorette. Merana created the life-size sculpture for the Girl Scout Centennial in 2012, and together they traveled across the United States for various events.

A woman smiles in a convertible next to a mannequin dressed in a military uniform and sunglasses, reminiscent of a Girl Scout’s adventurous spirit.
Miss Daisy on the road with creator Merana Cadorette (courtesy Merana Cadorette)

The Nation’s Capital History Team is delighted that Miss Daisy will be spending the next few years with us. She lives full time at our History Center in Frederick, Maryland, but she enjoys visiting Service Units and various gatherings. (Contact ann@gshistory.com).

The Display Up Close

Juliette Gordon Low had connections around Washington DC.

Black-and-white photo of Juliette Gordon Low with Washington DC Girl Scouts, saluting. One Girl Scout holds a “Troop 1” flag. Caption notes Eleanor Putzki received her Golden Eagle of Merit in 1917.

The Munsey Building: First National Girl Scout Headquarters

Black and white photo of the Munsey Building, a tall office building with many windows. Text explains its location, history, and that it was razed in 1980 after being Washington’s largest office building. The description also notes the nearby headquarters of the Girl Scout organization during much of the Munsey Building’s prominence.

Washington DC Girl Scout House

A large, historic, white building with multiple windows and peaked roofs. Text describes its brief use as the Washington Girl Scout Club House in 1914, highlighting its important role in early Girl Scout activities and noting the reasons for the arrangement ending.

1915 Girl Scout Convention

The first Girl Scout National Convention was held at the old Raleigh Hotel, across the street from the National Post Office tower. After the official sessions, delegates moved to the National Zoo where local Girl Scouts demonstrated their skills in signaling, first aid, and more.

Vintage postcard of Raleigh Hotel on a busy street corner at night with the Washington Monument in the background, and informational text about its location, demolition in 1964, and the 1915 national Girl Scout convention.
Two photos: left shows three girls dressed in white, standing in front of a wreath; right shows a group of Girl Scouts at a 1920 zoo rally, with some Girl Scouts in costumes and others watching. Text describes the event and location.

Portrait of Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low

This famous portrait of Juliette Gordon Low hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, only blocks from the Washington Convention Center.

A painted portrait of Juliette Gordon Low in a pink gown is shown next to text about the National Portrait Gallery and details about the artwork, her legacy as the founder of the Girl Scouts, and a related porcelain doll.

The National Portrait Gallery also has paintings of various first ladies, many first ladies, including past honorary national presidents, like Michelle Obama.

Points of Light Pathway

Inspired by President George H.W. Bush’s “1,000 Points of Light” concept, this small trail highlights national volunteers, including Juliette Gordon Low.

Bronze plaque honoring Juliette Gordon Low on The Extra Mile Volunteer Pathway. Features her portrait, inscription, and details about her founding the Girl Scouts, highlighting her legacy as the original Girl Scout leader, along with a short quote. Text about G Street at 15th Street is beside it.

Girl Scout Little House

Washington was home to the very first Girl Scout “Little House” a model program that quickly spread across the United States.

Four women and one man stand on the steps of a house. Next is a historic photo of the same house. Text describes the Girl Scout Little House, highlighting its history, significance within the Girl Scout movement, and notable visitors between 1923 and 1945.

1923 Girl Scout National Convention

The 1923 (and 1975) Girl Scout National Conventions were held at the Wardman Park Hotel in the Woodley Park Hotel.

Delegates in 1923 and 2026 were offered excursions to Mt. Vernon.

Black and white photo of a crowd sitting on grass in front of a large building, with a historic postcard of the Wardman Park Hotel above text about the hotel's location and history, including its notable role as a gathering place for events like Girl Scout meetings.
A large white building with columns and a red roof sits surrounded by grass and people. Inset shows a newspaper clipping about a Girl Scout troop visiting Mt. Vernon in 1923.

The Ellipse

This park, behind the White House, has hosted numerous Girl Scout gatherings over the past 110 years. In 1917 local Girl Scouts were summoned to the Ellipse to prove they were hardy enough to march in the 1917 Inaugural Parade.

Two black-and-white photos of Girl Scouts: one shows Girl Scout members with flags on a lawn, while the other captures Grace Coolidge receiving cookies from a Girl Scout as others look on. Text describes Girl Scout events on the Ellipse, Constitution Ave.

Eastern High School

Juliette Gordon Low’s last wish was to host a World Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in the United States in 1926. Before delegates traveled to the new Edith Macy Training Center in Westchester County, New York, they came to Washington for a White House reception and a Girl Scout rally at this high school, directly east of the US Capitol.

Five women in coats and hats stand in front of a large U.S. flag at a stadium. The caption notes they are distinguished Girl Scout visitors attending a 1926 conference at Eastern High School in Washington, DC.

Washington Monument

The opening ceremony of the 1975 Girl Scout National Convention took place at the base of the Washington Monument. The site also hosted sing-a-longs in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. Hundreds of thousands of Girl Scouts participated.

A Girl Scout magazine, a commemorative Girl Scout patch, and a group of girls in uniforms and hats sitting on grass at a large outdoor event near the Washington Monument.

White House

During the century that First Ladies served as honorary national presidents (1917-2017), the Girl Scouts had privileged access to the White House.

Juliette Gordon Low thanked First Lady Edith Wilson for launching this remarkable partnership with a jeweled Thanks Badge.

Two images: one of a decorated brooch in a case, the other of Edith Wilson greeting Girl Scout members in uniform. Text describes Edith Wilson’s role as honorary National President and gifting the brooch to the Girl Scouts.
Historic photo of Girl Scouts with Edith Wilson, Girl Scouts gathered with Betty Ford at the White House, and a Girl Scout map, with text about their White House connection and address.
Collage of Girl Scouts at the White House, including the First Lady with a Girl Scout, girls in uniforms, scouts at an event, and a Girl Scout gathering on the White House lawn with the building in the background.

Finishing Touches

The display also includes relevant items from the Nation’s Capital collection.

A display features a Washington, D.C. map, two panels about First Ladies and the White House, Girl Scout memorabilia, and a doll in a peach dress, all arranged on glass shelves with green string decorations.
Display details (author’s photo)

A porcelain version of the Edward Hughes Juliette Gordon Low portrait features alongside souvenirs from 1975, the first time a patch was created.

A display case with Girl Scout memorabilia, including Girl Scout booklets, magazines, a plaque, a necklace, and a program with a blue and red star design. Items are arranged neatly on a flat surface.
Selections from the Nation’s Capital Collection (author’s photo)

Clockwise from back left: Brochure about Girl Scouts issued from the Munsey Building, report on 1915 convention, report on 1923 convention, Wardman Park Hotel guide to Washington (1945), Daisy magazine coverage of 1975 convention, 1975 convention program, Raleigh Hotel guide to Washington (1927); plaque from the former Little House; and a reproduction of Edith Wilson’s jeweled Thanks Badge.

I hope to see you at the Washington Convention Center for the 2026 National Council Meeting!!

© 2026 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian, but NOT a Girl Scout employee.

3 responses to “Girl Scout Conventions–Discover Daisy in DC”

  1. Margaret Seiler Avatar
    Margaret Seiler

    Ann, thank you so much for all these details! I can’t remember if I wrote to you but I hope to see you. I’ll only be in town Thursday and Friday nights. My cousins Margot Iwanchuk and Mac Gordon and Mac’s wife, historian Carolyn Stefanco, and I will be on the Gordon Family history panel Friday morning at 9:15. I’m sorry I cannot get out to Frederick MD but hope to do that another time!

    Reply
  2. Nina Muller Avatar
    Nina Muller

    Thank you for putting this interesting and valuable virtual hike together! I learned about many of these sites for the first time. You are a GS treasure!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Luster Avatar
    Michelle Luster

    Thank you for the walking tour and excellent, historical article. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Reply

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