Rockford Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Records (Rockford)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-302

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Series one contains organizational records, founding documents, constitution and by-laws, papers of board members and committees such as chapter regent, register, recording secretary, librarian and historian. It also contains records about the Rockford chapter, including awards, certifications and correspondence. This series also contains board meeting minutes; including general membership minutes, regular, executive, and special minutes. The financial papers, series two, consist mostly of monthly and annual budget reports. These reports were compiled by the treasurer committee and provide information on receipts and disbursements on a monthly and yearly basis. Included with the financial papers are the treasurer’s records, and financial scholarship records. The third series contains the records of various DAR committees; primarily educational, historical preservation, and patriotism. The education records include scholarships, DAR schools, and the American History essay contest. Historical preservation includes genealogical records and historical preservation houses. Patriotism committees include veteran services and national defense. This series also contains records from additional committees such as membership, public relations and the Chaplin. The Rockford DAR museum records, series four, has information relating to the museum, its management and collections. This includes shelf lists, appraisals, and inventories. The fifth series is an organization sponsored by the Rockford Chapter. The Children of the American Revolution is a group similar to DAR but for children under the age of 21. The organization promotes education, preservation and patriotism. The sixth series is national or state DAR publications. These include “Illinois DAR News,” and “DAR Magazine,” among others. The seventh series contains a few artifacts from the Rockford Chapter; such as ribbons, pins and plaques. The Rockford Chapter scrapbooks, series eight, is the largest series in the collection. There are scrapbooks with newspaper clippings pertaining to DAR, Rockford Chapter activities, Rockford and Illinois histories, photo albums, and memorabilia from past regents and events.

Dates

created: 1894-2011
Other: Date acquired: 06/00/2010

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Rockford Chapter of NSDAR was organized by Mrs. Ralph Emerson on October 23, 1894, under charter number 102. Because of the generosity of the Talcott and Emerson families, their gifts to the Rockford Woman’s Club included a request that the Chapter have a permanent meeting place at the Club. The Women’s Club also provided a room for a Rockford Chapter museum which houses hundreds of interesting artifacts. The group was active in community affairs, and by the turn of the century had nearly one hundred members. The Rockford Chapter has grown ever since, yet the objectives of the Chapter have remained the same in over 100 years of active service. Those objectives are: Historical - to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; Educational - to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…"; and Patriotic - to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty. Throughout its history, The Rockford Chapter has worked to meet these goals by giving to the Red Cross, sponsoring schools, preserving historical houses, providing numerous scholarships and student loans, buying war bonds, giving awards to good citizens, holding essay contests and providing services for veterans. The Rockford Chapter is also involved with naturalization and citizenship programs, providing receptions for new citizens and manuals for citizenship. The group sponsors Children of the American Revolution which encourages education, service and patriotism. The Rockford Chapter is also involved with numerous other activities and events in and around the Rockford area.

Note written by

Extent

14.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The DAR Records contain eight series of records: (l) organizational records, (2) financial records, (3) Committee papers, (4) DAR museum, (5) Children of the American Revolution, (6) publications, (7) artifacts, and (8) scrapbooks.

Source of Acquisition

Inis Bloomster

Method of Acquisition

Inis Bloomster, Regent of the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated their organizational records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in June 2010.