A Heritage of Service: Daughters of the American Revolution

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the semiquincentennial is more than a chance to commemorate the nation’s history—it’s also a time to reflect on the brave men and women who helped shape the country during the War of Independence.

To help preserve the legacy of those patriots, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890 with a mission to promote patriotism, preserve U.S. history, and secure America’s future through better education for children. This women’s volunteer service organization has continued these initiatives to this day through its 190,000 members and 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. These members have a shared connection because they all are descended from someone who supported the American Revolution.

An Honorabe Lineage

The Washington Crossing chapter of DAR was established in 1992 and currently has over 200 members ranging in age from 18 to 98. This chapter covers parts of Bucks County and is considered one of the largest and most active chapters in Pennsylvania.

“In order to be eligible for DAR, you have to be able to prove you’re a direct descendant of someone who supported the American Revolution—we refer to them as our “patriot,” says Upper Makefield resident Judi Biederman, a former chapter regent and current corresponding secretary. “A soldier is usually the most common patriot, but it can also be people who gave food or assistance to help support the cause. My patriot was a soldier from Vermont. I was thrilled to prove my lineage.”

Washington Crossing Chapter Regent Jennifer Viscusi has been fascinated by genealogy since she was in high school. She is now a volunteer genealogist for the organization, helping prospective members research their ancestry. Since joining DAR nearly 20 years ago, she has been able to successfully document her own lineage from 21 patriots. Using resources such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and the DAR database, she helps applicants build family trees to uncover their Revolutionary roots.

“Most people who apply have some inkling or have heard family stories that they have colonial roots in America,” Viscusi says. “To me, it’s like a puzzle trying to prove lines, and I enjoy digging through records to find someone’s patriot. When you’re searching for a patriot, you find details about them, what they did for the cause, where they lived, and if they experienced hardships at the hands of the British, and you feel like you know them. People get very excited and sentimental about it.”

Devoted to Giving Back

The foundation of DAR is to give service to America, and members have countless opportunities to facilitate its mission. The Washington Crossing chapter is heavily involved with projects that support military troops and veterans, including collecting items for military families, sending care packages to active-duty units, and working with the Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home. Each month, members participate in unaccompanied internment ceremonies at Washington Crossing National Cemetery to pay tribute to veterans who are laid to rest without anyone present.

Hand in hand with service is the chapter’s strong commitment to history preservation and education. The chapter has long supported Washington Crossing Historic Park through volunteer work, fundraising, and educational programming. Members host an annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Revolutionary War soldiers’ graves, decorate a historic-themed holiday tree in the Visitor Center, and volunteer throughout the park.

“Washington Crossing Historic Park is such an amenity for our community to support,” Biederman says. “I’m in awe thinking of the history that has happened here, realizing that I might be standing in a spot where an American Revolution soldier slept or ate.”

The chapter also helps raise money for the Friends of Washington Crossing Park by providing items that are sold in its gift shop. A few years ago, the organization produced a cookbook called ‘Historic Sites and Bites’ that highlights heritage recipes and historical sites throughout Bucks County. Initially, the proceeds went to restore the county deed book that contains the original deed for the Thompson-Neely House. Now the book is sold at the park’s gift shop to support Friends and DAR activities.

Education plays a central role in DAR’s efforts, through hosting school programs, honoring history teachers, and offering scholarships to high-school seniors. The local chapter sponsors the Washington Crossing Society Children of the American Revolution (CAR) which teaches young people leadership, public speaking, teamwork, and community service.

Viscusi’s daughter Ellie joined DAR after turning 18 last year, following years of involvement in CAR. “It was so much fun being in CAR, and DAR members get very excited to see kids get involved,” Ellie Viscusi says. “I’ve always been a big history person, and I’m part of a big history family. DAR is such a pleasant community to be a part of. I love all the volunteering, and it’s opened the doors to so many opportunities.”

Celebrating America's 250th

For DAR, America’s 250th anniversary carries a deep meaning because its members’ ancestors helped create our nation. Jennifer Viscusi says interest in the organization has increased leading up to this milestone celebration, with growing membership inquiries and requests from local groups asking for speakers for community events.

The chapter even formed an America 250 committee to help plan and organize events and activities to commemorate this monumental year. “We wanted to provide an offering of a variety of different ways we could celebrate America 250 and give back to the community,” says Upper Makefield Township resident Marilyn Konicky, who chairs the America 250 committee. “We placed historical markers in Washington Crossing Historic Park and Newtown Presbyterian Church where soldiers are buried, we cleaned the cemetery at the Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Hope, and we’re dedicating a tree at Summerseat in Morrisville.”

Konicky, who became a DAR member 10 years ago, discovered she had patriots from Bucks County, despite growing up in Ohio. She is proud of her heritage and the work DAR does. “We have patriots in our families that provided the ultimate service, and we’re now—generations later—providing service and patriotism that will last for years to come,” she says.

One of the chapter’s biggest endeavors honoring the 250th anniversary has been nearly a decade in the making. Two chapter members have spent years researching and identifying the men who crossed the Delaware River with Gen. George Washington. So far, they have identified more than 1,000 names, which are currently being edited by the chapter. The finalized research will become part of an interactive database that will be presented to Washington Crossing Historic Park in December.

Lifelong Connections

Beyond the group’s community and preservation work, the Washington Crossing chapter offers meaningful friendships and a shared sense of purpose. The chapter hosts monthly meetings from September through May featuring guest speakers and educational programs. There are always opportunities to participate in a variety of committees, and through them, the women have created strong bonds and a camaraderie. “I’ve met some of my best friends in this organization,” Biederman says. “By joining, members can plan to gain a sense of their own family history, history in general, the history of our country, and great friends and great opportunities to serve their community in ways they could never imagine.”

As regent, Jennifer Viscusi has worked to increase awareness of the organization throughout the communities it serves. She believes DAR’s mission remains just as relevant today as it was when it was founded more than a century ago.

“I hope once the 250th has passed, that the level of interest in local history and all things patriotic continue,” she says. “We are such a warm, welcoming, and inclusive group. We help new members find a committee or service area they enjoy, because it really does draw you in. Our patriots provided a huge service in getting us started, but it’s our role as stewards that helps us to continue to give back.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography