Sons of the American Revolution

Sons of the American Revolution. The organization was founded on April 30, 1889, by John Austin Stevens, William Osborn McDowell, Alexander Hamilton Stevens, Frederick Watts Stevens, and William Nelson Pendleton, with the goal of preserving the history and legacy of the American Revolutionary War. The SAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, historic preservation, and education, and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, near the Frazier History Museum. The organization has members who are descendants of Patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.

● History

The Sons of the American Revolution was established to commemorate the American Revolution and to honor the Patriots who fought for American independence from Great Britain. The organization's founding was inspired by the Centennial celebrations of the United States, which included the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The SAR has its roots in the Society of the Cincinnati, founded by Henry Knox in 1783, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890 by Eleanor Washington, Mary Desha, Mary Lockwood, and Eva Parker Ingham. The SAR has worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Park Service, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, to preserve historic sites and documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

● Organization

The Sons of the American Revolution is a non-profit organization with a national headquarters and local chapters, known as State Societies and Local Chapters. The organization is governed by a National Board of Trustees, which includes the National President, National Vice Presidents, and Trustees from each State Society. The SAR has a close relationship with other patriotic organizations, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Children of the American Revolution, and the Society of the Cincinnati, and often collaborates with them on historic preservation projects, such as the restoration of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The SAR also works with Historic Sites such as Mount Vernon, Valley Forge, and Yorktown Battlefield to promote historic preservation and education.

● Membership

Membership in the Sons of the American Revolution is open to men who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot who supported the American Revolution. Members must provide documentation of their ancestry, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates, as well as proof of their ancestor's service to the Patriot cause. The SAR has members who are descendants of famous Patriots such as Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams, as well as lesser-known Patriots who fought in battles such as the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Members of the SAR can participate in local and national events, such as the annual Congress in Washington, D.C., and can also join Committees focused on historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

● Activities

The Sons of the American Revolution engages in a variety of activities to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The organization sponsors Essay Contests and Oratory Contests for students, as well as History Awards for outstanding achievements in historic preservation and education. The SAR also participates in Patriotic Events such as Parades, Ceremonies, and Reenactments, including the annual Fourth of July celebrations at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization has worked with other organizations, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Army Center of Military History, to promote historic preservation and education, and has also partnered with Historic Sites such as Gettysburg National Military Park and Colonial Williamsburg.

● Notable Members

The Sons of the American Revolution has many notable members, including Presidents of the United States such as Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman. Other notable members include Generals such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, as well as Historians such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. The SAR also has members who are descendants of famous Patriots such as Patrick Henry, John Jay, and Roger Sherman, and who have gone on to become notable figures in their own right, such as John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. The organization has also honored notable individuals with awards such as the Gold Good Citizenship Medal, which has been awarded to individuals such as Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and Colin Powell.

● State and Local Societies

The Sons of the American Revolution has State Societies and Local Chapters throughout the United States, which are responsible for promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism at the local level. These societies often work with other local organizations, such as Historical Societies and Museums, to promote historic preservation and education, and may also participate in local Patriotic Events such as Parades and Ceremonies. The SAR has State Societies in all 50 states, as well as Local Chapters in many cities and towns, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The organization also has International Societies in countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, which promote historic preservation and education about the American Revolution and its legacy. Category:Patriotic organizations