Happy Anniversary, DAR!
Nearly 950,000 women have joined the DAR since its founding in 1890 when a small group met in a Washington, D.C., living room. The four women traditionally considered to be the organization's founders were Mary Desha, Mary Smith Lockwood, Ellen Walworth, and Eugenia Washington. DAR has evolved into the world's largest patriotic lineage society and continues its mission of Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism.
Members from coast to coast will come together on October 11 to celebrate the anniversary and show their continued dedication to service by participating in the National DAR Day of Service.
Maybe you picture a bunch of stuffy women posing at a silver tea service? Not today's DAR members! Here in Minnesota, the Lake Minnetonka Chapter (of which I'm proud to be a member) will spend part of the day picking up trash along our adopted stretch of Highway 7. Our concern for the environment will override our personal comfort as we scurry up and down the steep road ditches, with temperatures predicted to be in the 80s!
Honk and wave if you're driving past us. As we work we'll likely talk about plans for our fourth annual "Plant a Flag for Freedom" Veterans Day event to be held November 11 at Heritage Park in Wayzata. This year in addition to honoring all veterans by planting flags and posting names on an honor board, we'll be giving special recognition to Vietnam-era veterans in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Some other Lake Minnetonka DAR chapter projects include:
- raising awareness annually of Constitution Week (Sept 17-23),
- restoring a memorial near the Sibley House which honors "Minnesota Pioneer Women, 1840-1860",
- sponsoring an essay contests in local schools,
- supporting the State Regent's project to help victims of domestic abuse,
- dressing in historical costume and telling their characters' stories at the Fourth of July Pancake breakfast (sponsored by Children of the American Revolution).
We also have a book club and occasional social outings. But whenever DAR members gather, discussion eventually turns to their latest genealogical findings. It might be a discovery about a Revolutionary Patriot's line but equally likely is excitement over a new fact about their German/Irish/Norwegian/etc. family history. Later this month members will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Lake Minnetonka DAR Chapter. You may actually see us sitting around drinking tea that day.
If you are a direct descendant of a person involved in the United States' independence, you could become a member of DAR or SAR (Sons of the American Revolution). Start by taking a look at the DAR website (www.dar.org/) which has genealogical research databases and much more.
