National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and educating future generations about the founding principles of the United States. It is the largest male lineage society in the U.S., with members tracing their lineage to patriots of the American Revolution.

History

The SAR was organized on April 30, 1889, the centennial anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as the first U.S. President. It evolved from earlier groups, including the Sons of the Revolutionary Sires, formed in California in 1875 to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. The SAR was formally chartered by an Act of the U.S. Congress on June 9, 1906, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the organization[1][3].

Mission and Activities

• Promoting Patriotism: The SAR honors Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism and civic engagement.
• Community Service: Members serve their communities through historical preservation, educational programs, and public service[5].
• Education: The SAR educates future generations about the founding principles and history of the American Revolution. It supports scholarships and awards for students, including the Eagle Scout scholarship[1][3].
• Historical Preservation: The organization works to preserve historical sites and documents related to the American Revolution. It was instrumental in the establishment of the National Archives to store and make available Revolutionary era documents[1][5].

Membership and Structure

Membership is open to any male aged 18 and older who can prove direct descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The SAR has over 37,000 members across more than 590 local chapters in the United States and internationally[3][5]. Prominent members include several U.S. presidents, senators, and foreign dignitaries[5].

Chapters and Events

The SAR hosts two annual Leadership Meetings and one National Congress. Chapters often have color guards participating in civic events like Veterans Day and the Fourth of July. Local chapters also mark and catalog Revolutionary War patriot graves[1][5].