Today's DAR
After a week of meetings and work at 1776 D Street, I was looking forward to a return visit to the beautiful state of New Hampshire and an opportunity to see Wendy Stanley Jones, State Regent, and the many Daughters I had met in 2017 when I visited Cathedral of the Pines. Wendy met the flight and we toured some historical sites giving me a new appreciation for the role New Hampshire had in the American Revolution.
- President General Ann Dillon
September found New Hampshire Daughters excited with the anticipation of President General Ann Dillon’s state visit. Host chapters were Anna Keyes Powers Chapter, Exeter Chapter and Pemigiwasset Chapter. While they were preparing for the Hospitality room at the hotel this officer picked Mrs. Dillon up at the airport for a short ride to American Revolution War Capital Town of Exeter. Lunch with Bea Dalton, Honorary State Regent and Past Treasurer General, included a delightful lobster roll before exploring Exeter.
Exeter has the Congregation Church that Abraham Lincoln spoke at when he was in town visiting his son at Phillips Exeter School. Past the school is Gale Park War Memorial, the park donated in honor of General Stephen Gale, his statue created by Daniel Chester French, who also created Abraham Lincoln’s sculpture in Washington D.C.
Then we visited Winter Street Cemetery whose earliest grave is from 1742 on land donated by Colonel John Gilman, where more than a dozen Revolutionary War soldiers are buried. Exeter Chapter has adopted this cemetery and helps maintain its care along with placing Wreaths across America on its veterans’ graves.
A short drive took us to the American Independence Museum which was founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts who served together, created the Society of the Cincinnati and their descendants to preserve the patriotic sacrifices that made America a reality. Linda Biagini, Exeter Chapter regent was able to join Mrs. Dalton, Mrs. Dillon and I as we were able to see the Dunlap Broadside draft, perhaps one of three Purple Hearts of Washington’s, and other Revolutionary artifacts and replicas.
