Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, Welcomes You!
On behalf of the members of the Willmar Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), we welcome you!
Established in 1925, we are a non-profit women’s service organization that values education, historic preservation and patriotism.
Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, Regent
About Our Chapter
The Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, motto is: “Americans; Yesterday, and Tomorrow”. Our membership is currently twenty-one members, including one from Arizona, one from California, one from Virginia and eighteen from different areas of Minnesota.
We welcome all women interested in joining DAR to contact us!
Come celebrate Minnesota with us: “Rooted in Minnesota – and growing strong!”
Our organizing DAR chapter meeting took place at the Willmar Library on February 17, 1925. There were twelve organizing members and of these, nine were named officers. This initial meeting was the foundation for the Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, of today.
Located in central Minnesota, the Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, continues to promote “God, Home, & Country” in its support of historic preservation, patriotism, and education. The chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1975. Two charter members and an organizing member were able to attend the celebration. One chartered member died in 2008 at the age of 107 and is interred at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. She has been honored with a Find A Grave memorial that reflects her dedication and support of DAR.
In 2020, the Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated its 95th anniversary and awarded a member, with a certificate of appreciation for 50 years of chapter service. The Willmar Chapter, NSDAR, was proud to acknowledge another 50-year service member, in August 2022.
We Promote Historic Preservation, Patriotism and Education
Our chapter supports national and state historic preservation projects as well as supports our community in the preservation of historical artifacts.
Our chapter supports national and state patriotism projects as well as supports our local veterans and hosts celebratory events such as the Fourth of July and Veterans Day.
Our chapter supports national and state education projects as well as works with our community through our projects to support education via scholarships and educational events.
We Make a Difference in Our Communities
Historic Preservation
Our chapter supports the preservation and care of historic sites. We gathered at the Guri Endreson Cabin site in rural Dovre Township to learn about the strong immigrant woman’s actions during The U.S. Dakota Conflict of 1862 (August 17–September 23). Though she lost her husband and eldest son, she was able to get her youngest child and herself to safety at the home of her son-in-law. After several days she was able to reunite with the other three surviving children. At a later visit, chapter members took to brush and scraper to clean the stone markers at Guri’s historical home. Several of our members are talented at cleaning grave markers and have done so at many cemeteries in Minnesota and other nearby states.
Patriotism
Our chapter members support commemorative events, service to veterans and funding for flag placement and displays. Flags were placed at Winner, South Dakota, for Memorial Day 2022. Celebrating and honoring our veterans at the ceremony and military display at the Willmar City Auditorium on November 11, 2022.
Education
Each year our chapter sponsors several of the DAR contests including the American History Essay Contest for fifth to eighth-grade students. We also sponsor The DAR Good Citizens Award winners for high school seniors. The winner possesses the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The educational scholarships awarded encourage and reward those qualities of good citizenship.
Become a Member of DAR
Today’s Daughters of the American Revolution is a vibrant service organization for women over the age of 18 who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolutionary War. In October 2019, DAR surpassed one million women who have joined the DAR since its founding in 1890. By subscribing to the DAR Today podcast, you can learn about members’ activities, Patriot histories, current topics and more.
Minnesota Daughters come from all over our great state and beyond. They are young women who join to honor a family member, older women who enjoy genealogical research in their retirement years, professional women interested in connecting with other women in the community where they live and others. Whatever your reason for joining, we invite you to connect, encourage you to apply and welcome you to our organization.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
"We want a society founded on service "
- DAR Founder Eugenia Washington
Are you descended from a Patriot who served in the American Revolutionary War? Founded in 1890 by four forward-thinking patriotic women in Washington, D.C., today’s DAR has welcomed over one million women as members throughout our history. We are a service organization supporting historical, educational and patriotic initiatives in communities in America and beyond.
Join Us! We welcome all women, age 18 and older, who claim lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolutionary War.
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