Meetings

Our chapter meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month, September through May.

Our History

Virginia DAR’s newest chapter was organized on January 14, 2024 by Mrs. Gail Tucker in Midlothian, Virginia.

Behind the Name

John Wooldridge, Sr. was born in Scotland and came to the American Colony of Virgina in the 1690’s, as an indentured servant. Wooldridge was a skilled blacksmith and when his indenture was fulfilled, he began buying land including land with coal, all in the present-day area of Midlothian, Virginia. He began mining the coal which was profitable and allowed Wooldridge to quit blacksmithing.

The coal mines in Midlothian, Virginia produced the first commercially mined coal in the colony of Virginia and the United States. The coal from the mines played a crucial role in supporting the Revolutionary War by supplying the cannon factory, Westham Foundry, located on the James River. The factory produced arms and munitions for the Continental Army in its fight against the British.

The mining area in Virginia was first called Coal Mines and later Coalfield. In Scotland, Wooldridge hailed from present-day Edinburgh although the general area was called Lothian. John and his relatives lived on opposite sides of Lothian which were named East-Lothian and West-Lothian. In Virginia, Wooldridge chose “Mid-Lothian” as the area for his mines. Today it is known as Midlothian.

Visitors can see a direct connection from the past to the present in the Mid-Lothian Mines Park and an historical marker for Midlothian Coal Mines.

Membership

New members are welcome! Please use the Contact form below to request information and meeting location.