WILLIAMSBURG — Through a sea of colorful hats and white gloves, the Williamsburg Daughters of the American Revolution chapter recently gathered to celebrate the organization’s 100th birthday at a ceremonial tea party.
The original charter is framed and housed for safekeeping in the Swem Library Special Collections at William and Mary.
According to the organization, over the years, more than 800 women have called themselves Williamsburg Daughters, including such notables as Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and Ethel Howard Goodwin, the wives of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin.
At the tea on April 22, ladies from the current Williamsburg DAR dined on traditional tea cucumber dill and egg salad sandwiches, macaroons and petit fours.
A small program was presented by the current chapter Regent, Robin Doucette.
“One hundred years ago this week, a small group of patriotic and determined women met to organize the Williamsburg Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Those early Williamsburg Daughters committed themselves to the DAR mission of historic preservation, education and patriotism. I am delighted to say that throughout the last century, each generation of Williamsburg Daughters has endeavored to support the society’s mission,” Doucette said.
Chapter Historian Debbie Misiag shared some of the chapter’s long history and an excerpt from the 100-year history book that the club will publish later this year. Honorary Regent Cecie Adolphi also read personal anecdotes from Agnes Dixon Foster’s diary.
“As we have researched and preserved our own history, it has been exciting to discover that we are doing many of the same things our predecessors did, albeit with a more modern twist. Unlike many organizations, we have not experienced any mission drift. Our chapter has grown to almost 290 members, but our commitment remains exactly the same. The Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR is a vibrant, flourishing one that continues to stand for God, home, and country. It is my fervent hope that as we enter our second century the Williamsburg chapter will remain true to those values upon which our society was founded,” Doucette added.
City of Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons also declared April 22, as Williamsburg Daughters of the Revolution Day.
The Williamsburg DAR Chapter is also currently recruiting new members. To learn more, visit williamsburgdar.org.