On April 15, 161 local women will mark the 120th anniversary of a very select organization. They are all members of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution -- the first chapter in Georgia and the second oldest in the United States.
“I don’t know of a chapter with as much history as ours,” said Joyce Patton, the chapter’s regent, who lives in Buckhead.
At one time, the Atlanta DAR had more than 400 members who hailed from the city’s elite families -- Woodruff, Candler and High, to name a few.
“They were the movers and shakers of their day,” said Patton. “During World War I, they formed a Red Cross unit, and every day, the ladies made articles of clothing. When the United Nations flag was flown over the city of Atlanta, our Daughters went to City Hall, wrote letters explaining why no other flag should fly over Old Glory, and a bill was passed because of their action. It’s amazing to list all the things they did. Even when they didn’t have the ability to vote, they could get anything accomplished.”
Today, Patton and her fellow DAR members, who range in age from 23 to 80-plus, are on a mission to educate everyone about the country’s history.
“We make sure students learn about American history, the father of our country and the value of the U.S. Constitution,” said Patton. “We promote various contests in the schools about the Constitution, good citizenship and the importance of veterans. That’s one of the main reasons I believe this organization needs to continue; American students need the DAR.”
Along with a focus on education, the DAR provides ROTC medals for 13 local high schools and colleges. They’ve donated educational materials for U.S. Immigration offices and robes for patients at the local veterans’ hospital, and have raised money to buy wash tubs and scrub boards for troops in Afghanistan. The group hosts fund-raisers, socials and luncheons to collect contributions.
Recently, the Atlanta chapter donated $35,000 to replace windows in the reception room of the DAR headquarters in Washington. They also contribute toward the upkeep of the Augusta home of George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
“Many of the chapter’s dollars go to the maintenance of the home,” said Patton. “This is one of the very few homes in existence of these signers, and a rare part of history to be shared with the youth and families of America.”
The Atlanta chapter, one of 111 DAR groups in Georgia, is open to all women who can document a connection to a Revolutionary War patriot or civil servant. Once accepted, a member can pass the pertinent forms onto her relatives so they can join as well. Chapter historian Karen Watkins of Sandy Springs has only been a member for five years, but she’s safeguarding her documentation for the future.
“I hope to pass it along to my two granddaughters so they can join, too,” she said.
Lisa Simpson of Roswell joined in 1998, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and two sisters.
“My mother gave me my grandmother’s papers,” she recalled. “I wanted to get involved because I’m very proud of my heritage.”
Patton and the chapter’s officers safeguard a wealth of artifacts that have been passed down from member to member. Some of the group’s most prized possessions are a quilt signed by past members, and silver flatware sets and elegant serving pieces that have been used at many DAR functions over the years. On Saturday, many of those items will be on display as the chapter marks its milestone anniversary with a luncheon at the Ansley Golf Club. Approximately 100 guests are expected to share a slice of an enormous birthday cake and look forward to another 120 years.
“The DAR will go on because it is a wonderful organization that is all about God, home and country,” said Patton. “We’re all about preserving the history of our country.”
"Milestones" covers significant events and times in the lives of metro Atlantans. Big or small, well-known or not -- tell us of a Milestone we should write about. Send information to hm_cauley@yahoo.com; call 404-514-6162; or mail to Milestones, c/o Jamila Robinson, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30346.
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