COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – One hundred years ago today Mrs. Sigmund Wing held the first meeting of the Coldwater Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution at her home, now known as the Wing House. Twenty-eight women joined her in founding this patriotic organization. Celebration on the 50th anniversary was also hosted by Mrs. Wing at the Wing House on January 14, 1966. In March, the chapter will once again meet at the Wing House to celebrate the 100th anniversary with state DAR officials, other DAR chapter members, local officials and friends.
Today, Coldwater Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is celebrating its 100th anniversary by providing a look at the history of the organization in the corner window at the Taylor Stationers Hallmark Store, 60 W Chicago St, Coldwater, MI. The display includes pictures of the founding daughters, 50th Anniversary and a recent Chapter photo. It also includes a Revolutionary War uniform, hat and drum loaned by Larry Hoffman, an antique mourning outfit and a listing of the 276 members who joined the Chapter since 1916.
National DAR membership today is 180,000 members along with 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. as well as International chapters. More than 930,000 women have joined the DAR since it was founded. Eligibility for membership: Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Anyone interested in joining the DAR may contact: Debra Reister, Regent at dreister@comcast.net or phone: 517 320 0080.
The objectives of the organization have always been educational promotion, historical preservation and patriotism. The Coldwater Chapter has supported these objectives over the years by involvement in the following activities which continue to the present time: celebration of Constitution Week, Veteran’s Day, Flag Days; Independence Day parade participation; support of veterans and military families; Good Citizenship Scholarship Award since 1937; restoration of cemetery and historical landmarks; Genealogical Workshops – for prospective members; and support of DAR Schools – Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, Grant, AL and Tamassee DAR School, Tamassee, SC.
Activities planned during the Centennial year include February – Good Citizen Scholarship Tea, March – Centennial Celebration at the Wing House, May – visit Veterans Hospital and the Military Museum, June – hosting gravestone marking of DAR daughter Louise Gertrude March Sutton, July – participation in Independence Day Parade, September – Constitution Week and Applefest, October – DAR genealogy workshop.
The Ann Gridley Chapter in Hillsdale County closed in 1999 and some members from Hillsdale County joined the Coldwater Chapter. The bi-county chapter continues to be active with 19 members; Janice Simons is the Chapter Chaplain, a Michigan DAR State Director and attended the National Continental Congress in 2015. The annual Good Citizen Scholarship Contest was conducted by Ardice Casarda, Vice Regent and Nancy Sprow, Treasurer. A genealogy workshop led by Linda Small, Registrar was held in October for several prospective members. The members donate time to many organizations in Hillsdale and Branch Counties. During the past year the chapter has been clipping and sending food and nonfood coupons to military families overseas. Members also sent packets of stamped Christmas cards through the Red Cross to active military so they could send Christmas greetings to their families.
