Sons of the American Revolution

Philadelphia Continental Chapter of the SAR at a ceremony commemorating the birth of George Washington at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in Washington Square, Philadelphia

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that describes its purpose as "maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom, an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people."

The organization should not be confused with the Sons of the Revolution (SR), a separate organization.

History

Sons of the American Revolution grave marker, Old Ship Burying Ground, Hingham, Massachusetts

The first organization of descendants of Revolutionary War patriots was established in San Francisco, California in 1876. A group of men who were descendants of Revolutionary War veterans gathered to celebrate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. They also wanted to honor the men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes, and livelihood to the striving for independence from Great Britain. This group formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires (SRWS). There is, however, no direct link between the SRWS and the SAR except that members of the SRWS were permitted to join the SAR after its founding in 1889.

The history of the SAR can be traced to the founding of the Sons of the Revolution the New York Society of which was organized in 1883. The SR was founded by John Austin Stevens who envisioned an aristocratic social and hereditary organization along the lines of the Society of the Cincinnati. In 1889 William Osborn McDowell, a New Jersey financier and businessman, organized the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revolution but was unwilling to accept the SR's requirement that other state societies be subordinate to the New York society. Furthermore, McDowell wanted the society to become more of a mass movement of descendants of Revolutionary patriots rather than an exclusive social club. As a result, McDowell organized the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) at Fraunces Tavern in New York on April 30, 1889. This was the centennial for the inauguration of George Washington as the First President of the United States of America in 1789. SAR member Number #1 was McDowell. William McDowell worked with six women to organize the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on July 29, 1890.

The SAR was formally granted a congressional charter by an act of Congress under Title 36 of the United States Code on June 9, 1906. The act was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member.

Membership

Membership in the society is open to any male of "good repute" who is at least 18 years of age who can prove lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who actively supported the American Revolution. Acceptable ancestors include:

• military veterans of the American Revolutionary War, including those who served in the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and state militias and navies
• signers of the Declaration of Independence
• members of the Continental Congress
• civilians who provided arms or supplies to the American cause
• people who served on political bodies supporting the Revolution, signed oaths of allegiance, or those who gave similar support to the Patriot cause.
• Soldiers and sailors from allied nations such as France and Spain who fought in support of American independence.

No chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed. The society claims a membership of 28,000 members in over 500 chapters in 50 state societies in the United States, as well as branches in Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Overall, about 175,000 descendants have been admitted since the founding of the S.A.R. in 1890.

Governance

The governance of the Sons of the American Revolution is made up of 10 National (General) Officers, 15 Vice-Presidents that preside over separate geographical regions and a Trustee elected from each state and international society. These officers meet several times over the year to discuss business pertaining to the society. The National Officers meet at least four times during their term of office, unless special meetings are called. The Trustees meet twice each year at the Society's Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky for the Trustee's Meetings, normally held in late September and early March. During the Trustee's meetings committee recommendations and the society's budget are approved. While only the National Officers, Vice-Presidents and Trustees have the right to vote on the floor, all SAR members are welcome to attend and may request appointment to committees. The National Officers and Trustees also meet during The National Congress held in late June or early July of each year. Unlike the Trustee's meetings which always take place at the Society's National Headquarters, The National Congress is held in different locations throughout the United States. Locations are often chosen to honor a historical event in United States history or in the history of the SAR and there is an effort to alternate the meetings between the Eastern and Western United States. The National Congress is responsible for electing the National Officers and approving changes to the Society's constitution, along with any other motions brought before it. In addition to the National Officers, Vice-Presidents and Trustees, State and International Society Presidents and specially elected delegates from each society also attend with voting privileges. The number of delegates are determined by each State or International Society's membership size.

In addition to the larger meetings previously listed, there are over 60 standing and special committees that SAR members are appointed to in order to oversee the Society's welfare. Some of these committees include: facilities, insurance, genealogy, library, merchandise, medals and awards. All SAR members are welcome to participate on committees and are appointed by the Society's President General for a one year term. There are no term-limits and all committee members have the right to vote on the committee's decisions.

Merchandise

The society also operates a Merchandise Department that sells items intended not only for SAR members but are also available to the general public. Among the products handled include: clothing apparel for men and women, Revolutionary War replicas such as Liberty Bells and Field Cannons, jewelry for men and women such as lapel pins and cuff links, along with cups, mugs, key-chains and knickknacks are some of the items available to the public. Items intended for SAR members only include: clothing, decals, license plate holders and frames, certificates and medals corresponding to SAR activities, medals designed to reward active and retired military personnel, firefighters, EMS, JRROTC and ROTC, individuals involved in education, Eagle Scouts and many others.

The Merchandise Dept. is located on the lower level of the SAR Genealogical Library, located at 809 West Main Street, just across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum and also online at store.sar.org

Activities

Indiana Society SAR Color Guard appearing with the recreated 19th US Infantry at an outdoor 4 July concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

The society is involved in historical research, raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards, and preservation of sites and documents related to the American Revolution. The SAR petitioned Congress to store Revolutionary era documents in a fire-proof area and make them available to the public, leading to the creation of the National Archives in 1913. It is also active in cataloging and marking Revolutionary War patriot graves and conducts an annual Eagle Scout scholarship program. The society is active in promoting "patriotism," and was instrumental in the establishment of Constitution Day. Several SAR societies and chapters have active color guard groups that appear in various public and private venues as a means of community outreach.

The Sons of the American Revolution hosts two Leadership Meetings and one National Congress every year. The two leadership meetings are held in the Spring and Fall in Louisville, KY at the Brown Hotel, just down the street from Headquarters. The National Congress is held at a different location every year during the Summer. The 2012 National Congress will be held July 7-8 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

NSSAR Museum

The Society's headquarters, based in Louisville, Kentucky, features original and copied art that commemorates important people and events of the Revolutionary War, as well as uniforms, flags and documents. One of the most prized possessions of the SAR is George Washington's Signet Ring, which is only on display once a year and stays under protection the remainder of the year. Visitation is free. Currently the SAR is in the process of renovating a new building on Main Street in downtown Louisville in the Museum district. The Genealogical Library and merchandise have already been relocated from the Fourth Street location to the Main Street location, while the museum is still at the Fourth Street location. Currently the SAR is raising funds to finish the renovations of the building where the museum will be moved to. All of the paid staff for the Sons of the American Revolution work at the headquarters in Louisville.

Symbolism of the SAR Medal

The medal is made of a Maltese cross surrounded by a garland, with a relief of George Washington in a center circle.

The cross's vertical bar represents the commandment "You Shall Love Your God"; the horizontal bar represents the commandment "You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself." The four limbs are a reminder of the four cardinal virtues; its eight points represent eight spiritual injunctions:

1. To have spiritual contentment
2. To live without malice
3. To weep over your sins
4. To humble yourself at insults
5. To love justice
6. To be merciful
7. To be sincere and open-hearted
8. To suffer persecution

Surrounding the relief of Washington in the center are the words "LIBERTAS ET PATRIA," a reminder of the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

Notable SAR members

See also: Category:Sons of the American Revolution

• Hale Boggs — Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
• George W. Bush — President of the United States
• George H. W. Bush — President of the United States
• King Juan Carlos I — King of Spain
• Jimmy Carter — President of the United States
• Sir Winston Churchill — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Calvin Coolidge — President of the United States
• George P. Cronk, Los Angeles City Council member, 1945–52
• Dwight D. Eisenhower — President of the United States
• Gerald Ford — President of the United States
• Henry Louis Gates, Jr — Harvard University Chairman, African American Studies
• Ulysses S. Grant — President of the United States
• Warren G. Harding — President of the United States
• Benjamin Harrison — President of the United States
• Rutherford B. Hayes — President of the United States
• Herbert Hoover — President of the United States
• Lyndon B. Johnson — President of the United States
• Henry Cabot Lodge — United States Senator from Massachusetts
• Douglas MacArthur — U.S. Army General
• William McKinley — President of the United States
• George S. Patton — U.S. Army General^{[citation needed]}
• Franklin D. Roosevelt — President of the United States
• Theodore Roosevelt — President of the United States
• George Albert Smith — President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints^{[citation needed]}
• William Howard Taft — President of the United States
• Harry S. Truman — President of the United States

See also

• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Children of the American Revolution
• Sons of the Revolution
• United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada

External links

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution - Official Web site
• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Merchandise Store
• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution state websites
• Society of the Sons of the American Revolution-France
• Sons of the American Revolution at the Open Directory Project
• Founder of Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation praises NSSAR
• United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada
• The Hereditary Society Community Of the United States of America