Service at All Levels
Daughters of the American Revolution is a service-directed organization that serves at the community, state, and national levels. While the national organization develops programs, initiatives, and guidelines through the Executive Officers, National Board of Management, and committees, the execution of this work is done at the state and chapter levels. Following the direction and leadership of our National Society, KSDAR creates a support system for our chapters, officers, and members to carry out our ongoing and varied programs, projects, and events.
Patriotism, Education & Historic Preservation
Our three main areas of service work are patriotism, education, and historical preservation. Within these categories are a myriad of activities, including:
- greeting Honor Flights of veterans.
- providing Christmas gifts for veterans in need.
- supporting Wreaths Across America in its program to place wreaths on the graves of US veterans in our National Cemeteries. With eight National Cemeteries in Kentucky, KSDAR chapters are active in the annual program.
- providing scholarships and supporting our five DAR-affiliated schools.
- offering educational historical programs and literacy support.
- commemorating the graves of Patriots and historically significant structures with plaques and markers.
- recognizing communities, organizations, and individuals that work to preserve our history and cultural heritage.
The projects, activities, and events that bring KSDAR Daughters together are seemingly endless.
Grounded in Camaraderie
KSDAR leadership changes every three years with a new regent, officers, and district directors. Each regent establishes her own state project, which encompasses every chapter’s participation. These projects have included: the 1999-2010 restoration of our state headquarters, Duncan Tavern in Paris, Kentucky; supporting the Hindman Settlement School Capital Campaign by funding the Kentucky Porch; establishing the Kentucky Gift of Reading Endowment at Hindman; and other projects that support the society’s mission. The Duncan Tavern Restoration project also developed an exhibit plan to conserve and display important historical artifacts, including several noted paintings. The state project of our current State Regent Linda Conrad, will support the Lafayette Trail, Inc., by providing funds to mark important sites visited by Lafayette during his 1824-1825 U.S. Farewell Tour; the Reading Program at Hindman Settlement School; and Duncan Tavern Historical Center to include digitizing records in the archives.
Kentucky Daughters are invited to gather multiple times throughout the year. Our annual conference each March brings hundreds of Daughters for three days to share our talents, energy, and friendship with our areas of service. District workshops and the Fall Board of Management provide more opportunities to meet Daughters from around the state and see first-hand what projects, programs, and activities are underway. The spring and fall events at Duncan Tavern are always festive times of friendship and fun.
Junior Membership
Daughters aged 18 to 35 are part of a dynamic segment of DAR. Juniors enjoy full membership and may serve as an officer or committee chair at the chapter, state, and national levels. Kentucky Juniors are a vital part of the society. Specific to junior membership, the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund (HPMF) finances projects chosen by the Junior Membership Committee with approval of the NSDAR Executive Committee. Funding includes contributions to the DAR Schools, American Indian Schools, the National Junior Committee Project, and the Junior Membership Classroom Grants Program.
Always a much-enjoyed event, the Juniors’ 5K race brings Juniors from each chapter together in a location and time of their choosing to raise funds for the HPMF and have a great time. And they even invite the “older” Daughters to participate.
Juniors are recognized at the state conference and can orchestrate their own events. Most chapters offer specific events and projects developed by their Juniors.
The Junior Membership Committee provides funds to the seven DAR Schools to meet specific funding requests made by the schools. The committee has supported Kate Duncan Smith DAR Schools through the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund since the early years of the fund. We added Berry College, Crossnore School and Children’s Home, Hillside School, and Hindman Settlement School in the Calvin administration. During the VanBuren administration, we added the American Indian Schools, Bacone College, and Chemawa Indian School.