WVDAR Facts

The West Virginia State Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer women’s organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education.

Mission: To promote historic preservation, education and patriotism

Motto: God, Home and Country

NSDAR Members of Note back to top
Honorary President General: Presley Merritt Wagoner, a member of the Captain James Allen Chapter in Beckley, West Virginia served from 2004 to 2007 as President General of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution

• Clara Barton, Laura Bush, Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Mamie Eisenhower, Susan B. Anthony, Astronaut Rhea Seddon, and Anna Robertson Moses (the beloved “Grandma Moses”)

Membership back to top
Eligibility for Membership:  Any woman 18 years or older, regardless to race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible.


Committees back to top 
Most of the volunteer work of the DAR is accomplished under a committee system comprised of a national chairmen appointed by the President General and locally appointed chapter and state chairmen.

• Historic Preservation back to top
• American Heritage: We promote preservation of historic sites and American cultural tradition. West Virginia Daughters have placed hundreds of plaques to mark historic sites and erected hundreds of monuments to honor men and women who have contributed to the history and defense of our country. Several historic buildings and forts in West Virginia are maintained by local DAR chapters.
• Genealogical Records:  West Virginia Daughters have searched unpublished family, cemetery, and funeral home records. They have contributed hundreds of volumes to the over 18,000 volumes that have been copied and bound for the DAR Library in Washington, DC. This library is the second largest genealogical library in the world and is open to the public for research.
• Lineage Research: We assist prospective members in their research and conduct genealogy workshops for the public.
  

• Education  back to top
• American Indians: WVDAR Chapters have assisted American Indians with financial and scholarship aid since 1936.
• Children of the American Revolution: Founded in 1895 by the DAR, this committee provides training in patriotism and leadership to today's youth. There are several CAR Societies in West Virginia. Membership is the same as for DAR. Membership is open to boys and girls from birth until their twenty-second birthday.
• DAR Good Citizens: Chapters sponsor the Good Citizens contest in public, private and parochial schools in West Virginia. This program promotes dependability, service, leadership and patriotism among high school seniors with Chapter, State and National Awards.
• DAR Scholarship: Over $80,000 for NSDAR American History, Political Science, History, Government, Historic Preservation, Economics, Music, Nursing, Medical and Occupational Therapy scholarships are available annually. For information and applications, visit the DAR Web Site (www.dar.org). The WV State Society sponsore the Blanche L. Reymann Scholarship and several Chapters award scholarships annually. For information visit the WVDAR Web Site (www.wvdar.org) and contact a chapter in your area. 
• DAR School: Chapters in the West Virginia State Society support Kate Duncan DAR School in Alabama; Tamassee DAR School in South Carolina; Berry College in Georgia; Crossnore School in North Carolina; Hillside School in Massachusetts; and Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky. These schools are for special needs students and for students who need a safe place to live and learn. Students from any State are eligible to attend these schools.
• Junior American Citizens:  Chapters sponsor citizenship training programs for boys and girls, kindergarten through high school with JAC Clubs in parochial, private or public school, community centers, etc.
• Literacy Challenge:  Members work with adults and children to promote literacy through a variety of programs and activities.

• Patriotism back to top
  • Community Service Awards:  Medals are given to recognized local citizens for outstanding achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic and citizenship work in their communities.
  • Constitution Week:  WVDAR Chapters sponsor special programs during the week of September 17–23 to inform and educate the public about the United States Constitution.  This official celebration of the Constitution was initiated by the DAR in 1955 and adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956. Hundreds of pieces of patriotic literature and bookmarks are distributed to schools.
  • DAR Service to Veterans:  As a member of the National Veterans Administration Voluntary Service Advisory Committee, WVDAR has representatives and deputies in every Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in West Virginia. WVDAR members volunteer approximately 1,000 hours in VA, travel over 13,000 miles and donate approximately $18,000 in cash, gifts, and personal care items to VA Facilities in West Virginia annually. They also spend hours interviewing veterans for the “Veterans History Project”.
  • The Flag of the United States of America:  WVDAR Chapters distribute hundreds of flags, flag codes, certificates and other patriotic literature annually.  Chapters present programs on proper display of the flag.
  • National Defense:  WVDAR Chapters present Good Citizenship Awards to elementary through high school student.  Gold and bronze ROTC medals are presented to outstanding high school and college cadets.  The WV DAR  Patriot Award is presented annually to individuals or groups who give outstanding service in the defense and protection of our country. 
  • DAR Project Patriot:  WVDAR support troops involved in America’s worldwide war against terrorism.  In 2005 members sent 250 phone cards, $3,000 in comfort items, hundreds of books and magazines, and send hundreds of cards and letters to military personal stationed away from home.
  
  

National Headquarters back to top

• The DAR Headquarters complex occupies an entire city block, near the White House and includes three adjoining buildings, two of which are Registered national Historic Landmarks*. Memorial Constitution Hall* (1905); Constitution Hall* (1929); Administration Building (1920, 1950). 
• DAR Library: One of the largest genealogical research centers in the United States. 
• DAR Museum:  Thirty-one Period Rooms as well as permanent and changing exhibitions showcase American furnishings and decorative arts prior to 1830.Located at 1776 D Street, Washington, DC 20006.  Open to the public – Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except during the week of Continental Congress.

More Info: back to top

• Visit the DAR Web Site (www.dar.org) to read about steps to membership and to fill out a prospective membership form.
• Talk to a local DAR chapter member in your area
• Email inquiries to prospectivemembers@dar.org
• Call the Prospective Member Coordinator at (202) 879-3205
• Visit the West Virginia Society Web Site (www.wvdar.org) to find a Chapter contact in your area.
  

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  VIS Chairman and Webmaster: Jane Larke
  email: wvdar.jlarke@gmail.com

  Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.

  Last updated:June 30, 2011