The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization, started in 1890. The hundredth anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1876 had inspired people to celebrate and preserve our national history, as the participants in the American Revolution were no longer present to give first-hand accounts. The first such organization was the Sons of the American Revolution. Women were denied membership so formed their own organization — the DAR.

DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education. Membership is open to all women over the age of 18 that can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. There are nearly 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the world.

The first DAR chapter in our area was the Rhoda Hinsdale Chapter in Shullsburg. It was founded in 1909. Members of the chapter enjoyed social gatherings and service work to support education, patriotism, and historical preservation. They erected the granite historical markers at The Berry Tavern, and in Blackhawk Memorial Park, near Woodford. In 1919 the chapter had grown enough to warrant creating a second chapter, the Benjamin Harrison Chapter in Monroe. The Shullsburg chapter disbanded in the 1960’s but the Monroe Chapter is still going strong with 27 members from both Lafayette and Green Counties.

The Chapter engages in service to both counties administering the “DAR Good Citizen Award” to outstanding senior students in the 15 high schools and supporting historical preservation by sponsoring grant applications to DAR national that have funded many community efforts including the Octagon Building Restoration, The Driver Opera House windows, and the Darlington Area Veterans’ Memorial. They also hold meetings, enjoy social events, and occasional day trips to historical sites.

It is no coincidence that several DAR members are volunteers at the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society (LCHGS). Both organizations combine genealogy, history and education.

They are celebrating America’s 250th birthday in several area events:

● June 26, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) presented a plaque for the Lafayette County courthouse that connects us with the Marquis du Lafayette of the American Revolution. DAR Chapter members will be in attendance, and Barb Nemec will contribute a reading from the Declaration of Independence.

● July 2, the DAR Chapter is hostess for a party and program at the Monroe Public Library. Monroe’s Whipple family are descendants of William Whipple — a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Tom Mitchell will do a historical presentation on William. And there will be a dramatic presentation on Abigail Adams. Refreshments will be served.

● July 6, the SAR will present a plaque about President James Monroe for whom the city is named.

● July 21, at 10 a.m. the DAR Chapter is installing a sign by Shook’s Prairie Cemetery on County Rd C just east of Argyle. A veteran of the Revolutionary War, Robert Bailey, is buried there. He had come to Wisconsin after the war and died here. There are informational signs in the cemetery, but the new sign will be visible from the road to let drivers know of the significance of this small country cemetery. The chapter raised the funds for the signage. Refreshments will be served.

All of these events are open to the public and a wonderful way to understand how the Revolutionary War and birth of the nation is connected to all of us.

Additional information about DAR can be found at the Lafayette County