DAR goes to Washington for Continental Congress

Toni Bolling Lutter

Gila Butte Daughters celebrated with a trip to Washington, DC, to attend Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) 127th Continental Congress, beginning June 20, 2018. Marjorie Nelson, Gila Butte Regent, and Lesley Baran, Honorary Gila Butte Regent and State DAR Organizing Secretary, represented Sun Lakes’ Gila Butte DAR Chapter.

Since its founding in 1890, DAR has held Continental Congress, its annual national meeting. Each summer, Daughters from around the world gather for a week in their Washington home to report on the year’s work, to honor outstanding award recipients and to plan future initiatives. More than 3,500 Daughters represent the total membership of 183,000. The convention consists of an ambitious mix of business sessions, committee meetings, social functions and formal evening ceremonies, which causes many Daughters to claim DAR stands for Dress and Run.

Daily business sessions and formal evening ceremonies are held in historic DAR Constitution Hall, which is Washington DC’s largest concert hall. Constitution Hall is a National Historic Landmark Building and is part of the DAR Headquarters located at 1776 D Street NW, across from the White House Ellipse. DAR Headquarters – one of the largest buildings of its kind owned and maintained exclusively by women – encompasses an entire city block and houses the DAR Museum and Americana Collection, as well as the acclaimed DAR Library.

DAR’s objectives are historic preservation, education which strengthens our nation and patriotic endeavor. Every Daughter traces her bloodline lineage to a “Patriot” of the American Revolution. Gila Butte Chapter meets in Sun Lakes and welcomes eligible women over 18 to join them in service to our community and our nation. Genealogical assistance is available. For membership information, call 480-802-6993 or access the chapter website, gilabutte.arizonadar.org.