About SAR
A Brief History of SAR
The first effort to organize descendants of Revolutionary War, occurred in San Francisco, in 1875. This was in anticipation of the centennial of the revolutionary War. The first official meeting was June 29, 1876. The group attracted about eighty men and the group named themselves “Sons of the Revolutionary Sires”. They marched in the July 4th, 1876, parade in San Francisco. The organization fell in numbers over the years.
In 1883, John Austin organized the New York Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, this could be traced as the founding of the Sons of the American Revolution. William Osborn McDowell with Josiah Pumpelly and William Stryker, all who were members of the New York Society, organized the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1889. They refused to accept being subordinate to the New York Society. After approaching other states to organize societies, the Sons of the American Revolution were organized at the Fraunces Tavern in New York on April 30, 1889, the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration.
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was incorporated on January 17, 1890, in Connecticut, with the first National Congress on April 30, 1890, in Louisville, Kentucky. A congressional charter was granted on June 9, 1906, and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, a member of the SAR.
Summary of Organizational Structure
The National Society is organized into State Societies. Membership in the National Society Sons of the American is through a State Society—there are no National at-large memberships in SAR! State Societies are organized into Chapters which is the level through which membership is attained. State Societies receive their charters from the National Society which is chartered by an act of the United States Congress (36 U.S.C. Chap. 1533). State Societies and Chapters which are chartered by State Societies must comply with all National Society policies which are outlined in the multivolume SAR Handbook. State Societies are further organized by the National Society into Districts for cooperation and mutual support of the National Society’s mission. All members are required to pay annual Chapter, State, and National dues to retain membership.
Activities Supported by SAR
At National, District, State and Chapter levels there are numerous activities that a member can get involved in:
Recognizes and honors individuals for outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement at local, state and national levels.
Recognizes and honors persons for outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of imminent danger.
Recognizes and honors outstanding high school students with the presentation of a Good Citizenship Award.
Recognizes and honors outstanding Junior and Senior ROTC cadets with the presentation of a SAR ROTC/JROTC Award. Also, recognizes and honors Sea Cadets.
Recognizes and honors Law Enforcement officials for outstanding service with a Law Enforcement Award.
Recognizes and honors Fire Safety Officials for outstanding service with a Commendation Award.
Recognizes individuals and businesses with Flag Certificates for those who fly the American Flag in a respectful way.
Recognizes and honors new Eagle Scouts, and sponsors local Boy Scout troops.
Sponsors and supports local chapters of the Children of the American Revolution.
Supports our veterans and veteran organizations in many ways.
Conducts various patriotic and educational contests: oration, easy and poster; and recognizes outstanding history teachers. Also develops or supports educational programs about the Revolutionary War taught in in schools and other venues.
Participates in new citizenship swearing-in ceremonies.
Observes patriotic anniversaries, and participates in parades such as July 4, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Commemorates Revolutionary War Patriots with appropriate ceremonies; places SAR markers at the grave sites of Revolutionary War Patriots and SAR members.
Participates in the national Wreaths Across America Program where every December wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves at National Cemeteries.
Cooperates with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution and other hereditary organizations in the promotion of patriotism.
Links to NSSAR and FLSSAR
You may also wish to review the NSSAR page displaying our Membership Pamphlet.
For additional information visit the following links:
National SAR: NSSAR
Florida SAR: FLSSAR
