Chapter Activities

In addition to our monthly meetings, which feature guest speakers from our community, the Williamsburg Chapter is out in the community “Celebrating America!” Our committees are structured to match the NSDAR committees, under which the majority of our work is accomplished. New and prospective members are invited and encouraged to participate in an area that matches their interests.

Historic Preservation

  • Host silent auction and fund raising activities to benefit State Regent's Project to support the building of a conference room at the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier.


  • Preserve genealogical records.

  • Restore Berkeley Plantation graveyard.

  • Support preservation of Virginia landmarks
    • Kenmore
    • Stratford Hall
    • Woodlawn Plantation
    • Yorktown Custom House

Patriotism

  • Co-sponsor a June and December naturalization ceremony with Colonial Williamsburg at the House of Burgesses, Colonial Capitol, Williamsburg.

  • Co-sponsor a Youth Ceremony of Citizenship at Jamestown Settlement, Virginia, for 50 youths from many countries.

  • Recognize and honor first responders with homebaked goods on 9/11.

Education

  • Launched First Place State Community Classroom Committee-DAR partnership with Williamsburg-James City County Schools supporting teachers in the classroom with the creation of the First Grade Citizenship Partner Program. DAR members participate in teaching history and patriotic lessons to students following the Standards of Learning in Virginia and incorporating DAR Educational Resources.

  • Support the DAR Library with book donations.

  • Support the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund — DAR Junior Shop comes to Williamsburg.

  • Support of DAR sponsored schools.

  • Encourage application of Virginia DAR scholarships by deserving high school seniors.

  • Support literacy promotion activities.

  • Conduct workshops on genealogy — Earl Gregg Swem Library and Library of Virginia.

Commemorative Events

  • Wreath-laying ceremony with Colonial Williamsburg and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) at the Governor's Palace, Bruton Parish Church, and the French Cemetery with a Fife and Drum escort and artillery firing on Memorial Day

  • Wreath-laying ceremony honoring Benjamin Harrison V and his signing of the Declaration of Independence, annually on July 4th at Berkeley Plantation

  • Celebrate Yorktown Day with memorial wreath laying and patriotic exercises at the Monument to Victory and Alliance.

Service for Veterans and Active Duty Military

  • Honor our veterans as commemorative partners of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Volunteer at “The Wall That Heals” in Williamsburg.

  • Celebrate Flag Day with veterans at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Medical Center.

  • Honor veterans at chapter meetings.

  • Support of Project Patriot programs.

  • Collect and send coupons to military posts.

  • Collect stamps for "Stamps for the Wounded" project.

Community Service

  • Presentation of the DAR History Award Medal to Dr. William M. Kelso, Director of Research and Interpretation at Historic Jamestowne

  • Presentation of DAR Good Citizenship Awards and American History Awards

  • Honor women in American history.

  • Present community service awards to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community.

  • Involve students of local schools in Junior American Citizen activities.

  • Members have volunteered 13,716 hours of community service and logged them the to "Celebrate America" online tally.

Membership

  • Maintain a members-only Facebook page.

  • Distribute "Patriot Press" newsletter, August – April.

  • Sponsor George Wythe Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).

  • Encourage all members to attend:
    • Virginia DAR State Conference

    • NSDAR Continental Congress

    • District meetings

    • Virginia DAR Fall Forum