The Daughters of the American Revolution, made up of women in the United States and around the world who are descended from patriots in the nation’s struggle for independence, was founded in Washington, D.C., on this day in history, the October 11, 1890.
Its motto is “God, home and country”.
The DAR “is a nonprofit, nonpartisan volunteer service organization for women, dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education of children,” the group says on its website.
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The organization counts as its most inspiring historical figure Hannah White Arnett of what is now Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The American patriot managed to shame a group of local men determined to bow to the crown when Lord Cornwallis and his Redcoats occupied the town in 1776 and demanded loyalty to Britain from its citizens.
Women with the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Wren-Darne Cemetery dedication ceremony July 14, 2018, in Falls Church, Virginia. (Jason Andrew for the Washington Post via Getty Images)
“Arnett burst into the room and accused the men of being cowards and traitors,” notes the New Jersey Women’s History website.
“Arnett even threatened to leave her husband if he deserted the revolutionary cause. Ultimately, the men refused the offer made to them by Britain and remained committed to the fight for American independence.”
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The headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution occupies an entire city block in Washington, D.C. – a testament to the durability of its foundation and mission.
The group says it is the largest collection of buildings of its kind in the world, owned and maintained exclusively by women.
The complex includes a prized collection of industrial decorative arts, the largest concert hall in the nation’s capital, and a free public library that includes one of the largest collections of genealogical records in the world.
Episode 309 of “Who Do You Think You Are?” » with actor Rob Lowe. Photographed at the Constitution Hall of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC (Nick Wass/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
“The DAR Library collection contains more than 225,000 books, 10,000 research files, thousands of manuscripts, and special collections on the history, genealogy, and culture of African Americans, Native Americans, and women,” reports the organization.
The headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution takes up an entire city block in Washington, D.C.
“Nearly 40,000 family histories and genealogies make up a significant portion of the book collection, many of which are unique or available in only a few libraries nationwide.”
The Daughters of the American Revolution were created following the founding of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1889.
“The following year, the Sons voted to exclude women from the group, thereby galvanizing a force for the creation of a new women’s organization,” the DAR reports of its origin.
Artists pay tribute to Smokey Robinson, recipient of the 2016 Gershwin Award for Popular Song, at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, DC on November 16, 2016. It is the largest concert hall in Washington, D.C. DC. (Evelyn Hockstein/for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Eighteen women and four supporters of the Sons of American Liberty gathered at the DAR’s first official meeting on October 11, 1890, at Strathmore Arms, the home of Mary S. Lockwood.
She is considered one of four co-founders of DAR, along with Mary Desha, Ellen Hardin Walworth and Eugenia Washington.
The Daughters of the American Revolution have 190,000 members in all 50 states and a dozen foreign countries.
At least one was inspired to follow in the footsteps of her heroic ancestors who risked life, limb, treasure and honor to separate an independent nation from the crest of the Empire monarchical British.
“DAR co-founder Ellen Hardin Walworth’s first visit to the Saratoga Battlefield, circa 1851, was a powerful connection,” the National Park Service writes.
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“Marching on the same ground on which her great-grandfather, Colonel John Hardin, fought in the Battles of Saratoga (1777), she called the tour “a landmark event in [her] young life.’ This visit fueled his lifelong dedication to preserving the site. »
Battle of Saratoga, British General John Burgoyne surrendering to American General Horatio Gates, October 17, 1777; painting from Yale University circa 1822-32. (Art images via Getty Images)
The Continental Army’s resounding victory at Saratoga constitutes one of the great turning points in the dramatic arc of national history.
This victory encouraged France to believe that the rebellion had a chance of succeeding.
King Louis XVI then provided his military support to this cause.
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Walworth also helped lead efforts to preserve George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
The Daughters of the American Revolution have 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and a dozen foreign countries, including Australia, Germany and Japan.
“God, House and Country” – Motto of the Daughters of the American Revolution
“DAR members contribute millions of hours of service each year in their local communities, including supporting active-duty military personnel and assisting veteran patients, awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial assistance each year to students, and supporting schools for underserved children with annual donations exceeding $1 million,” the group says of its activities.
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More than a million women have been members in the 132 years since the group was founded.
Membership, according to the DAR, is open to “any woman age 18 or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic origin, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution “.
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