Who are the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)? The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on Oct. 11, 1890. We are a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization, with our national headquarters in Washington, D.C. The DAR was founded during a time that was marked by a revival in patriotism and intense interest in the beginnings of our country. Currently, there are more than 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally.
In 2017, the Georgia State Society noticed there were several women in the Acworth area who were looking to join a DAR chapter closer to home that met on the weekend. The Liberty Hill Chapter was confirmed on Dec. 5, 2017, with 18 members, and held its organizing meeting the following month at Rosenwald School Community Center. Those in attendance at that first meeting included Mayor Tommy Allegood, representatives from patriotic organizations, DAR members, prospective members and guests.
DAR women are dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the American Revolutionary War. Members volunteer countless service hours annually, in their local communities, including supporting active duty military personnel and awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid to students.
From the beginning, members of the Liberty Hill Chapter have embraced the DAR motto, “God, Home and Country.” During our monthly meetings, speaker topics have included women in American history, DNA, Acworth’s history, cemeteries and beach, preserving family heirlooms, Georgia heroes of the American Revolution, and cadaver dogs locating 18th century burials. Speaker honorariums are given to local, state and national organizations of their choice.
In just a few years, the Liberty Hill Chapter’s members have served the community through numerous service projects.
• Assembled care packages with thank you notes for overseas military members.
• Attended funeral services for seven World War II veterans.
• Cleaned the Liberty Hill Cemetery, with flag maintenance, and the Old Allatoona Cemetery.
• Collected items for women at a local homeless shelter.
• Collected worn American flags for a local funeral home, to be placed with veterans during cremation.
• Contributed toward trees in Kennworth Park on Arbor Day.
• Donated to the Save Acworth History Foundation for its continuing effort in preserving the history of Acworth.
• Presented a Constitution Week packet to local schools, which included the city proclamation.
• Presented the annual Liberty Hill Chapter First Responder Award to a student at the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School.
• Presented the Flag Code, and provided refreshments to 150 naturalized citizens from 45 countries at a naturalization ceremony.
• Presented the NSDAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Award and medal to the Kennesaw State University Archives and to
Thomas Scott.
• Recognized high school good citizen students with a scholarship.
• Recognized high school JROTC students with a medal and certificate.
DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible to join. Joining the DAR does not require an interest in genealogy, but it helps to have some knowledge of one’s ancestry. DAR has teams of volunteers who can assist you, if you need help with your research.
The Liberty Hill Chapter currently has 45 members. Today’s DAR is your mother, your daughter, your grandmother, your friend and your colleague. For more information, email LibertyHillDAR@gmail.com.
– Patricia Hein is the honorary regent for the Liberty Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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