Today's DAR
Hello, armchair travelers! Even if you weren’t accustomed to virtual travel prior to the pandemic restrictions, it is the perfect way to make your bucket list of destinations for future travel plans. You can find an excellent resource to explore on our member’s website under the Historic Preservation Committee. Follow the links to the Historic Sites and Properties database, where you’ll find over 200 sites distributed among fifty states and the Units Overseas. Follow me and we will explore six wonderful state headquarters for a sampling of our lovingly cared for properties.
Explore the DAR Historic Sites and Properties Database
New to the database in 2019 was the New Jersey State DAR headquarters. On a bluff overlooking Watson’s Creek, the Isaac Watson House was built in 1708, and is recognized as the oldest house in Mercer County. It was restored by NJDAR in 1964, as part of the New Jersey Tercentenary Celebration. Isaac Watson was the son of Quakers who came to this country from England in 1684. The furniture displayed in this fine stone house antedates 1790, with several pieces having been made by New Jersey craftsmen.
Located in the National Historic District of Baltimore, called Roland Park, is the Maryland State Society headquarters. The Victorian style home was built in 1892 by the Roland Park Company and was purchased by MSDAR in 1953.
I had the good fortune to tour the Duncan Tavern in Paris, KY, many years before I became a member of DAR. Constructed of native limestone, this impressive structure is home to the Kentucky State Society. Built in the late 1700s, frontiersmen who were extended hospitality included Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Aaron Burr and many others “who came in their strength with ax and rifle to conquer a wilderness.” The 1941 marker was dedicated in honor of Mary Desha of Kentucky, one of the Four Founders of NSDAR.
The magnificent Rosalie, Natchez, MS, was built between 1820 and 1823 and is now the headquarters of the Mississippi State Society DAR. An outstanding example of ante-bellum architecture, Rosalie became headquarters to the Union Army under General Walter Gresham who protected the house and its contents, including furniture, toys, books, scrapbooks, and clothing. Returned after several years of Federal occupancy, Rosalie remained in the Wilson family until 1938 when it was purchased by the Mississippi State Society. It is a step back in time to tour Rosalie led by a docent in period costume.
Boonville, MO, is where you will find Roslyn Heights, headquarters for the Missouri State Society DAR. The elegant Late Queen Anne style brick home, built in 1895, has exquisite original woodwork throughout. The home is furnished with period appropriate antiques. MSSDAR State Regent has her own room for those occasions that require her attendance. For the Christmas season, the mansion is decked out from top to bottom with a decorated tree in almost every room. The Missouri DAR State Archives is also located on the property. Roslyn Heights is open to the public by appointment.
The California State Society Headquarters is owned, operated, and maintained by the CSSDAR in Glendora, CA. The Crafstman style home is constructed of natural rock from the San Gabriel quarry. Original owner Rubin Hamlin was a prominent businessman in citrus farming with the claim to fame of having been the first to send oranges to the White House during the Taft administration. A marker dedicated in 1994 states: This home for all the California Daughters was made possible through many contributions of the Eschscholtzia Chapter DAR and generous bequest of chapter member Grace Edgar Coe (1871-1960).
Qualifying historic sites or properties may be owned, maintained, operated, or substantially supported by the NSDAR, a state society, or a chapter. These properties may include historic cemeteries, landmarks, forests, buildings, rooms, trails, and monuments marking significant landmarks. Sites and properties which are substantially supported by state societies and chapters are subject to annual review to determine support status. An historic marker may not be submitted for inclusion into the database unless it is a landmark or attached to a historically significant building.
Thanks to all DAR states and chapters for their devotion to preserving the history of these remarkable properties and working to fulfill our mission of Historic Preservation.
