Daughters of the American Revolution are committed to volunteerism

TICONDEROGA | The enduring cord of 18th-century patriotism has survived 250 years, its reach extending and ever-present in modern day. For a group of women who are able to trace their lineage back to the founding days of the United States of America, their ancestors remain aspirational figures, inspiring not only a spirit of nationalism, but also community-minded endeavors. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are unwavering and are looking to grow their ranks. "DAR is a non-profit service organization," explained Margaret Scuderi, Registrar for the Ticonderoga DAR chapter. "God, home, and country is the motto. Our interests are preservation, education, and patriotism. Veterans are a big one with the Ticonderoga chapter." The late 19th century in America was a time marked by a revival in patriotism and immense interest in the country's beginnings. Fraternal organizations were formed to perpetuate the memory of those who fought and died for liberty and independence. Just like their male counterparts, women also felt a strong desire to express their patriotism. Frustrated and disenchanted by their exclusion from these new institutions by the patriarchy, a pioneering group of four ladies in the nation's capitol decided to take matters into their own hands; the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on Oct. 11, 1890 (The Ticonderoga DAR chapter was organized in 1911, and chartered in 1922). The newly formed DAR even decided to have its own official headquarters in Washington, D.C., purchasing what was known as "the cow pasture" at the time. "They were ridiculed in the papers," Scuderi said. "They were mocked and laughed at. Today, it is the most expensive piece of real estate owned solely by women in the whole world, taking up an entire block." Encompassing an entire downtown city block, DAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation's premier genealogical libraries, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington's largest concert hall, and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints. Scuderi said money is also raised by renting the building for movie sets. "If you were to stand on the Washington Monument and face Lincoln's Tomb in Arlington, it's right down at the bottom of the hill," Scuderi added. "They have tours and a worldwide library that is online for you to find your ancestors; there are many resources available, some of the documents are available online for public research." Any female (designated as such on their birth certificate) over the age of 18, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, is eligible to join DAR as long as her lineal descent from a patriot can be proven. A Patriot was a colonist in the original 13 colonies who supported American independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution (1775-1883). Patriots opposed British rule and unfair taxation and lack of representation. Patriots advocated for self-governance and a new nation that would be founded on principles of republicanism, freedom from unfair taxation, and lack of representation. "Being a Patriot wasn't necessarily just being a soldier," Scuderi remarked. "If people offered financial assistance, served in the new government as any officer, or even offered food to the American forces or any other type of aid, they are considered a Patriot." According to Scuderi, vital records or an old town history, church records, baptism records, and land records like deeds and wills would constitute proof of a Patriot lineage. Scuderi herself is a perfect example how just how embedded patriotism is in the country's tapestry- in addition to David Thompson from C (who was the patriot that got Scuderi's mother admittance into DAR in the 1950s), there was Timothy Wakefield from VT, General Benjamin Wait, Beriah Sherman from MA, Jonathon Folsom from NH, Paul Hayes (Junior and Senior) from NH, and Captain Mark Winkley from NH in Scuderi's bloodline. "Dar.org has a listing of all of the patriots that have been proven to have a descendant," Scuderi revealed. According to the website, as one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts nearly 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Annually, DAR members volunteer millions of service hours across the country, assisting veteran patients, supporting active duty military personnel, and also award thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid to students yearly. Their annual donations to underserved schools typically exceed one million dollars. In Ticonderoga, there are 32 members, but currently, there is a skeleton crew of eight that carries the weight of the organization's initiatives. "Sandra Trepanier and Tina Huestis volunteer at LARCH, Kama Ingleston at Penfield Homestead Museum, many other places, and Carol Koehler and I do genealogy class," Scuderi said. Most recently, the Ticonderoga Chapter participated in the 124th Solemn Cemetery on Memorial Day in Crown Point, with the Regent serving as a key speaker at one location. The Chapter was invited to participate in a Ceremony honoring founding father Reverend Joseph Cook, and presented a wreath for the occasion. "Later, we were invited to speak at the 100 th Celebration of the dedication of the monument near the Hancock House and again presented a wreath," Scuderi said. The Chapter also purchased two American Elm Trees for Artillery Park in the Village. The ladies also participated in a grave cleaning at Forest Dale Cemetery. "We are not done with the grave cleaning; that was the trial run," said Scuderi. "We use D2, which is $100 a gallon. We are planning on doing more cemetery stones. We buy our plastic spatulas and wooden skewers to get into the lettering. We started with the dirtiest headstones we could find, that ones that had suffered extreme neglect and needed the most attention." The Ticonderoga DAR Chapter has also sewn quilts for the VA and hosted a veterans luncheon. In the past, they awarded history awards to graduating eighth graders and graduating seniors. They also regularly support and donate to Best Fourth in the North, and display posters for Constitution Week every September." "DAR supports the ROTC, and at our State Conference, DAR honors local history teachers and women in service in many different areas, not just the military," Scuderi shared. "We honor women who have contributed to the betterment of our nation in many forms." DAR also gave $10,000 to the State Archives to preserve a tractor truckload of documents from the early Dutch settlement that was found in the attic of a courthouse." "Those are now in the archives on Madison Avenue in Albany in a temperature-controlled environment," added Scuderi. For women who have interest in enlisting in DAR, Scuderi encourages them to call her or text her at 518-461-9264, or email her at widgetscud@gmail.com. For more information on National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, please visit dar.org.

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