Daughters of the American Revolution
The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.
As the most inclusive lineal society in the country, DAR boasts 165,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally.
Founded in 1900, DAR of Michigan has approximately 3000 women members aged 18-100+. DAR of Michigan actively seeks new members for its 52 local chapters!
Membership in our State Society provides many opportunities to cherish our American Heritage, to preserve family and local histories, to promote the celebration of our national holidays, to support our national defense, and to form friendships with others who share our love of God, Home, and Country.
DAR of Michigan
In the first year DAR was organized, 818 members’ papers were approved, admitting them as charter members of the National Society. The process of approving papers of prospective members has remained unchanged in DAR’s 125 years. According to the Records of Michigan Daughters of the American Revolution dated 1930, of the 818 charter members admitted to NSDAR before 1891, 19 were Michigan Daughters. Four of those charter members joined Louisa St. Clair Chapter NSDAR, one joined Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Chapter NSDAR, and four others resided in Detroit.
The first chapter organized in Michigan was Louisa St. Clair Chapter NSDAR in Detroit, which was the 30th chapter in the National Society. They organized in January 1893 with 18 charter members. By 1930, chapter membership had soared to 673. Michigan’s first State Regent was Frances Peck Burrows, leading the newly formed State Society from 1894-1895.
Four additional chapters were organized in 1896:
Sophie De Marsac Campau Chapter NSDAR in Grand Rapids, 235th national chapter, 2nd Michigan chapter, 15 charter members, 420 members by 1930.
Sarah Caswell Angell Chapter NSDAR (originally Ann Arbor Chapter) in Ann Arbor, 257th national chapter, 3rd Michigan chapter, 15 charter members, 220 members by 1930.
Ypsilanti Chapter NSDAR, 273rd national chapter, 4th Michigan chapter, 15 charter members, 96 members by 1930.
Lansing Chapter NSDAR, 292nd national chapter, 5th Michigan chapter, 17 charter members, 151 members by 1930.
One chapter organized in 1897:
Genesee Chapter NSDAR in Flint, 352nd national chapter, 6th Michigan chapter, 15 charter members, 159 members by 1930.
Two more chapters were organized in 1898:
Algonquin Chapter NSDAR in St. Joseph, 415th national chapter, 7th Michigan chapter, 15 charter members, 173 members by 1930.
Muskegon Chapter NSDAR, 434th national chapter, 8th Michigan chapter, 12 charter members, 79 members by 1930.
Two more chapters were organized in 1899:
Alexander Macomb Chapter NSDAR in Mount Clemens, 467th national chapter, 9th Michigan chapter, 13 charter members, 49 members by 1930.
Otsiketa Chapter NSDAR in St. Clair, 472nd national chapter, 10th Michigan chapter, 23 charter members, 38 members by 1930 (disbanded 1937).
The Directory of NSDAR 1901 at the Tenth Continental Congress shows that Michigan had 13 organized chapters at that time.
The Articles of Association of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Michigan are dated 18 November 1916. The State Bylaws listed in the Historical Record of Michigan Daughters of the American Revolution 1930, include 18 articles outlining DAR of Michigan functioning. State meetings were not held between 1893 and 1899 following the organization of the DAR chapter in Michigan. Beginning in 1900 two one-day state meetings were held each year. The first meetings were hosted by Louisa St. Clair Chapter NSDAR in Detroit. Later a preliminary session was held in the evening before the regular meeting. This became the business session of the state board. Later, annual state conferences lasting several days were held with evening programs presented to the public.