National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), commonly known as the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is a non-profit, lineage-based membership service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education, and patriotism. It was founded on October 11, 1890, by Mary Smith Lockwood, Eugenia Washington, Ellen Hardin Walworth, and Mary Desha, in response to the Sons of the American Revolution not allowing women to join their organization[1][2].

Membership and Eligibility

Membership in the DAR is limited to women who are direct lineal descendants of soldiers or others who aided the American Revolution. Members must be at least 18 years old and fulfill specific genealogical requirements to prove their lineage[1][2].

Objectives and Activities

The DAR focuses on three main objectives:

• Historical: The organization stresses the study of U.S. history and the preservation of Americana. It operates a genealogical library at its headquarters, providing resources for family research[1][2].

• Educational: The DAR supports schools for underprivileged youth and Americanization training. It offers scholarships and sponsors various educational programs[1][2].

• Patriotic: The society fosters true patriotism and love of country, participating in activities such as Constitution Week celebrations and naturalization ceremonies[1][3].

Community Service

DAR members are actively involved in community service, particularly in support of veterans. They provide over 200,000 hours of volunteer time annually to U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals and contribute to other civic projects[1].

Chapters and Outreach

The NSDAR has over 2,975 chapters in the United States and twenty-two international chapters[4]. Local chapters often engage in historical preservation projects and community initiatives specific to their regions[3][4].

Publications

The organization publishes Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine and American Spirit Magazine to disseminate information about its activities and historical content[1][2].