Kentucky & DAR History
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized and incorporated in 1890 by four strong, patriotic women who sought to honor their Patriot roots, preserve our cultural heritage, and enhance educational opportunities in our growing nation. With Kentuckian Mary Desha (1850-1911) as one of the four founders of DAR, the state’s ties to the society were formed early and strong.
An Early Beginning
Kentucky quickly saw the creation of two chapters: the Lexington Chapter, NSDAR, in October 1891 and the John Marshall Chapter, NSDAR, Louisville, in January 1892. By 1896, Kentucky had more than 10 chapters throughout the state. That year, the Daughters met in Estill Springs, and established the Kentucky Society of the DAR. The first elected state regent was Mrs. Sallie Ewing Pope of Louisville. In 1911, the Daughters of KSDAR elected to provide the funds and furnishings to establish the Kentucky Room at DAR headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the Fincastle Chapter, NSDAR, Louisville, sent the first supporting gift to Hindman Settlement School, a DAR School in Hindman, Kentucky.
Duncan Tavern, KSDAR Headquarters
In 1940, a dilapidated building in Paris, Kentucky, the Duncan Tavern, was purchased by the Jemima Johnson Chapter, NSDAR, for one dollar, and within one year, through the determination of Kentucky Daughters, the Tavern gained new life as the Duncan Tavern Historic Center and the Headquarters of the KSDAR.
According to primary documents, this historic building was probably constructed in the mid-1790s. Joseph Duncan purchased the land in 1792 and first appeared on the tax rolls in 1793. In the mid-19th century, it was known as the Burr House and became a boarding house during the 1890s. But the structure had fallen onto hard times by the early 20th century and was condemned by the City of Paris in 1940.
1940 brought an opportunity and a challenge to the Kentucky Daughters. The large dilapidated structure slated for demolition was offered to the Kentucky Daughters for the price of one dollar; if they would agree to renovate the building and have it ready for use in one year. Supported by the Jemima Johnson Chapter, NSDAR, and the Hart Chapter, NSDAR, Mrs. Julia Ardery led the massive project, which would include creating a museum, the John Fox Jr. Genealogical Library, and the KSDAR headquarters. When the restoration was complete per the contract, the building was turned over to KSDAR.
Today, Duncan Tavern serves as a treasured historical venue for tours, meetings, and events. For more information, visit the Duncan Tavern website.
The Kentucky Period Room
Our magnificent DAR Constitution Hall headquarters in Washington, D.C. is home to The DAR Museum, which features an outstanding collection of approximately 30,000 objects made or used in America prior to the Industrial Revolution. This collection includes furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, textiles costumes, jewelry, and paintings, plus musical and scientific instruments. Many of these objects are displayed in the thirty-one period rooms within the museum. Each room is furnished in the style of a particular period or region of colonial and early America. The DAR Museum is open for self-guided and docent-led tours.
As one of thirty-one period rooms designed and furnished by state societies, the Kentucky Room represents a parlor in the 1830s-40s, and features a neoclassical sofa possibly made in the New York City shop of Duncan Phyfe. It is upholstered in blue striped horsehair with matching cushions and tasseled bolsters. Several pictures in this room depict famous Kentuckians. A 19th-century engraving of Henry Clay’s home,
Ashland, located near Lexington, pays tribute to Clay, a fixture in American politics, who served as U.S. Senator, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and was a presidential candidate for the Republican and Whig Parties. Two 19th-century engravings by John James Audubon (1785-1851) also adorn the walls. George Rogers Clark (1752-1818), a Revolutionary War hero, is depicted in uniform in a 1910 copy of the original oil portrait.
Hindman Settlement School
Founded in 1902 by May Stone of the Fincastle Chapter, NSDAR, and Katherine Pettit of the Lexington Chapter, NSDAR, in Hindman, Kentucky. Hindman Settlement School is one of five DAR-supported schools. The Hindman Settlement School’s mission is to provide education and service opportunities for people of the mountains while keeping them mindful of their heritage. This mission continues today with programs that address education and service programs to meet the critical educational needs of the region’s youth, including dyslexia, literacy, locally grown sustainable food, and traditional arts.