ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is gearing up to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in a big way.
News10NBC’s Erin Mahon spoke with members of the Irondequoit chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, or DAR, about how they’re marking the milestone.
To be a DAR member, you need to trace your ancestry back to a patriot who served during the American Revolution. But the group says the idea of who counts as a patriot is broader than many people think.
“For the last nearly 250 years, a ‘patriot soldier’ has been the face of a white man. And I think many people today still believe that to be true,” said Brianna O’Shea, a third-generation DAR member.
The DAR launched an online exhibit called the E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative in 2020 to shine a light on that broader history.
“It’s to bring to light and illuminate the legacy of many different backgrounds that fought for our revolution,” O’Shea said.
The exhibit includes Indigenous Americans, African Americans, and other non-European or mixed-heritage identities. Curious history-enthusiasts can lookup a connection via DAR’s Genealogy Research System (GRS) called “Patriots of Color.”
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH: Patriots of Color
Phyllis Breen, Regent of the Irondequoit DAR Chapter, shared her own family’s connection to that history.
“I am here today because of his sacrifice, not only his sacrifice, my patriot died. He was a prisoner of war ship in South Carolina, and he died on that ship, leaving a widow with seven children. She had to indenture her children to survive. That is a huge legacy,” Breen said.
Breen knew about her ancestral connection to the revolution since high school. Ten years ago, her daughter took Breen’s information to a professional genealogist who filled in the missing pieces about Jacob Copenhaver, Breen’s ancestor.
Mahon toured the chapter’s meeting space with Breen and Beverly Henning, 2nd Vice Regent of the Irondequoit DAR, before sitting down to hear more about what the organization means to them.
Beverly Henning also manages the house and grounds. The Hervey Ely mansion was built in 1837, but the Irondequoit DAR didn’t purchase the space until 1920. Since then, it’s served as their meeting space. Today, it holds treasured items like Alexander Millener’s drum. Millener, Henning noted, served as a drummer in George Washington’s guard.
When asked what they would say to her patriot ancestor if she could speak to them today, Henning and Breen both thanked their ancestors.
“I would just say ‘thank you’ from the very bottom of my heart,” Breen said.
“A big thank you that they fought for the freedoms that we have today and that we continually fight for. I can’t imagine what they went through, knowing the pain, the hardship, the loss of life for a country that is amazing,” said Henning.
O’Shea summed up why the DAR’s work matters.
“Our three goals of our organization are historic preservation, education and patriotism. And I don’t think there’s anything more patriotic than educating the public to say your ancestors fought for our freedom, and without their contributions, we would not be the United States today,” O’Shea said.
The Irondequoit DAR has been fundraising for its 250th anniversary celebrations. An exhibit highlighting underrepresented Revolutionary stories opens at Rundell Library on June 1, and a new Revolutionary War marker goes up at Mt. Hope Cemetery on June 6 at 11 a.m.
Irondequoit DAR marks America’s 250th by honoring forgotten Revolution heroes WHEC.com.
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