SAR Structure SAR Membership Requirements

The chapter is the basic unit of the organization. Hundreds of thousands of men are eligible for Each chapter determines its procedures and membership, and members are available to ® selects the programs it implements. Chapters assist you with your application process. Join- SAR can vary greatly depending upon their location, ing the SAR will afford you the opportunity to number of members, and selected program serve your community, to whatever degree your priorities. time allows, all while becoming acquainted with others with whom you share many common Each state society (made up of numerous interests. chapters) is equal to and independent of other societies, though all still fall under national SAR If you are interested in becoming a member of guidelines. Societies hold annual meetings to the SAR, or for further information, please con- set goals and benchmark their achievements, as tact a member of your local SAR chapter. Society does the National Society. contact information and further details can be found online at http://www.sar.org.

To Help Preserve A Precious Heritage SAR Genealogical Research Library

The SAR Library collection contains over 55,000 items including family histories; local, The Objects of this Society are declared to county, and state records; and premium online be patriotic, historical, and educational; to genealogical databases. The Mary & James S. Craik Special Collections Room features unite and promote fellowship among the museum-quality artifacts relating to Colonial The National Society of the Sons descendants of those who sacrifi ced to achieve America and includes rare biographies of of the American Revolution the independence of the American people, to George Washington and histories of the 809 West Main Street inspire them and the community-at-large with American Revolution. Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2619 a more profound reverence for the principles http://www.sar.org of the government founded by our forefathers; https://www.sar.org/sar-genealogical-research-library to foster true patriotism; to maintain and (502) 589-1776 extend the institutions of American freedom. SAR History SAR Goals SAR Programs

A patriotic fervor developed throughout the You may see our SAR members in many aspects United States after the Civil War and with the of outreach and community support programs, approach of the Centennial of the Declaration including: of Independence. Many citizens realized that their personal connection with the patriots of Americanism - to promote principles of freedom the Revolution were being lost, and that many & liberty for all Americans, and judges the Alene Wilson Groves, Liberty Bell, President General of the patriots’ sons and daughters were also Activities and President General Cup Awards passing unacknowledged. Patriotic Goals: Color Guard - to encourage patriotic respect for A number of groups and societies were formed • inspire the community with the principles the Flag of the United States and promote Flag across the country in the 1880s, two of these be- Day programs ing the Society of the Sons of the Revolutionary upon which our nation was founded Sires in San Francisco and the New Jersey Sons • maintain and extend the institutions of Veterans - to encourage recognition of support of the Revolution. American freedom to veterans in all walks of life • carry out the promises expressed in the These combined to form the National Society Preamble to the Constitution Law Enforcement - to promote the recognition of of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1889, • provide recognition for public service those who have distinguished themselves in the preservation of law and order which also marked the 100th anniversary of • honor, respect, and support veterans, George Washington’s taking the oath of offi ce especially those in the Department of for the President of the United States. Veterans Affairs hospital facilities

Historical Goals: • commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution Historic Sites and Celebrations - to preserve, • preserve records relating to the events mark, and interpret historic sites and buildings, leading up to and during the American monitor special historic celebration events, and Revolution encourage SAR participation • support genealogical research and Patriot Records - to register fi nal resting places presentations, through books, articles, and of patriotic ancestors and publish the results and The organization’s Charter was established by talks, that interpret the history and people of to add the personal stories in the records an Act of Congress and signed on June 9, 1906, the American Revolution by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was also Lineage Research Workshops - to promote a member of the Empire State Society, SAR. Educational Goals: family research and courses on genealogical procedures The SAR, the largest male lineage organization • perpetuate knowledge of our founding in the U.S., consists of 55 societies with more documents Youth Programs - to sponsor Eagle Scout than 590 local chapters, several international • identify stories of patriotism, courage, Awards; oration, essay, brochure, & poster societies (including Canada, France, Germa- sacrifi ce, tragedy and triumph of the Patriots contests based on historical and patriotic themes; ny, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and over who achieved the independence of the JROTC and ROTC recognition awards; Dr. Tom 37,000 members. Prominent SAR members American people & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award include sixteen U.S. Presidents, Sir Winston • inspire and strengthen each succeeding Churchill, and Kings Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI generation as it too is called upon to defend Education - to defi ne and support educational of Spain. our freedoms goals and programs of the SAR on local, state, and national levels