Tomorrow I’m off to Washington, D.C., to attend my second DAR Continental Congress. Consequently there will be another short lapse in blog postings.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is comprised of women who can prove lineal descent from a Revolutionary patriot. Its three goals are as timely now as they were in 1890 when the organization was founded:

• Historic Preservation
• Education
• Patriotism

My chapter recently completed restoration of a monument on the grounds of the historic Sibley House property in Mendota. The marker on the restored planter says, “Honoring Pioneer Women of Minnesota 1840-1860.”

The project was fraught with complications and delays. In the meantime, the chapter had the idea to collect stories from our members about their female ancestors who pioneered in the state in the years 1840-1860. We published these stories in a book. While the names and stories contained in our book represent a narrow time and place, they stand as examples of the incredible hardships endured by pioneer women and their many contributions to the westward expansion of our country, in many other places and time periods.

We understand a few stories from our book will be featured in “Minnesota History with Curt Brown,” in the Sunday, June 24th edition of the Minneapolis StarTribune.

Copies of our book can be purchased by contacting the chapter at LakeMtkaDAR@gmail.com.