The 250th Anniversary of Preston's Smithfield was celebrated in July, 2024. The Prestons moved into the house in December of 1774 which means it had to have been under construction exactly 250 years ago. The highlight of the weekend for members of Virginia DAR was the groundbreaking for the long awaited crafts interpretation building financed by the State Regent's Project of the Turbyfill Administration. Representatives of several Virginia chapters were in attendance and one Georgia chapter was represented by a Preston Descendant who was at the event with her family. An architect's rendering of the building will be available to view at the Fall Muster in Short Pump so stop by, say hello, and take a look. Michael Hudson, Director of Preston’s Smithfield, was very complimentary and appreciative of DAR support in his remarks to the assemblage. 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith also attended.

To commemorate the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Freedom Hill Daughters planted a “Never Forget Garden” on the Vinson Hall Retirement Community campus. VHRC is home to numerous military officers and their families and government civil servants, who, prior to retirement, served their country through both war and peacetime.

The garden features an inscribed marker which reads: “This garden is a living tribute to all of America’s veterans and their families. In silence and respect, this is a place to remember why millions of Americans have fought and died for our liberty and our freedom. Here we renew our promise to fulfill America’s sacred duty to never forget. Here we renew our pledge to support them with ‘our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.’”

In addition to the marker, DAR contributed landscaping plants, including chrysanthemums, evergreen hollies and lavender. The garden will be tended by DAR members over the months to come.

Project of Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Linda Abravanel

Virginia Daughters from the Alleghany Chapter placed four beautiful, custom-designed benches outside the Salem VA Hospital to provide respite for our veterans and their families. Designed by Sue Bartko, Chair of the chapter’s Service to Veterans Committee, and Janice Fagan, the design incorporates the DAR logo and the letters DAR in the back of each bench. The benches also carry an identifying plaque that reads in part, “Promoting Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism.” The chapter raised the money for the benches through our participation in the Belk Charity Days Sales.
Project of Alleghany Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Karen Finch

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, Freedom Hill Daughters collected and donated over 200 books for the student library at Chemawa Indian School, one of two American Indian schools supported by the DAR. Chemawa is the oldest continuously operating American Indian boarding school in the United States, and currently serves over 400 students in grades nine through twelve.
Project of Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Lauren Taylor

The Ketoctin Chapter marked the grave of Revolutionary War Patriot Ezekiel Potts at the Old Potts Cemetery in Purcellville, Virginia. Also participating were several chapters of SAR and the Viking Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The best part: we were joined by many descendants ranging in age from eight to 90-something! Two of the women descendants said, “We were so excited to hear about this! We didn’t know we were eligible to join DAR!” Every Patriot deserves to have their story told.
Project of Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Heidi Lowery Haynes

Narrow Passage’s Braille Flag initiative began with our presentation of a framed Braille Flag containing the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States to VFW Post #2447 in Edinburg, Virginia. Braille Flags also come with the National Anthem or the Preamble to the Constitution on them and there are many places that would welcome such flags.
Project of Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR.
Photo: Kathy Rivers

Members of Cameron Parish Chapter placed eight Little Free Libraries at schools in underprivileged communities where children may not have access to a lot of books. Our chapter partnered with Lowes to provide half of the building supplies, and Future Business Leaders at Dominion High School to build the libraries. Each school’s art class painted the libraries after they were built. Our chapter Chaplain organized a book drive to fill the libraries, and we now hold book drives every few months to keep the libraries well-stocked.
Project of Cameron Parish Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Sheila Vitiello

Unveiling the NSDAR Historical Marker for the Historic Barnes Home. In a partnership with the County Historic Preservation Department, the ceremony was the end of a Genealogy workshop and Barnes Home Presentation by Preservationist Bill Backus. Special Guests included the Potomac District Supervisor. The house was open for tours and Bill was on hand to tell the history of the family and house.
Project of Prince William Resolves Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Marie Deanna Vayer

Falls Church and Louisa Court House Chapters hosted a joint grave marking ceremony for Revolutionary War Patriot Samuel Wharton at the Wharton Family Cemetery in Mineral, Virginia. Falls Church member, Joy Walsh, is a descendant of Samuel Wharton. Joy described how Samuel Wharton met his future wife during the war. The owner of the property also spoke. Members of DAR, SAR, and CAR presented wreaths. A local high student played taps and sang a capella. Members of the Boy Scouts volunteered to prepare the site. Both chapters worked together for several months planning this meaningful event that was enjoyed by all.
Project of Falls Church and Louisa Court House Chapters, NSDAR
Photo: Lisa Maloney

Narrrow Passage Chapter NSDAR held a grave marking dedication for Revolutionary War Patriot George Jacob Helsley yesterday, October 6th, at Zion Lutheran Church in Edinburg, Virginia. Helsley was born in Frederick County, now Shenandoah County, in 1756, and attended this church. He served as a private in Captain Albright’s Company and Colonel Miles’ Rifle Regiment of Pennsylvania. Helsley died in Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1833 and is buried in Helsley Cemetery #2. Reverend Katie Gosswein, Regent Susan Walls, First Vice Regent Nonna Good, Chaplain Faye Hartfield, and the VFW Massanutten Post 2447 participated in the dedication program. In addition, Nonna Good delivered a detailed biography of George Jacob Helsley. There were seven descendants of Private Helsley that attended as well as special guests Betty Wade, District VI Director; Linda Dinsmore, Honorary Chapter Regent Massanutten Chapter; Narrow Passage Chapter member Ann Hunter, Honorary State Regent, Past Historian General, NSDAR, Past Vice President, NSDAR. Many Narrow Passage members were working behind-the-scenes to make this an event that will be remembered fondly.
Project of Narrow Passage Chapter, NSDAR.
Photo: Kathy Rivers

Grant Recipient, Patriotism Category: Loudoun Revolutionary War Memorial, Leesburg, Va. World-renowned artist Jay Carpenter captured the emotions of a father going to war with heartfelt realism and depth in his sculpture, “The Spirit of Loudoun,” created especially for the grounds at the Loudoun County Courthouse, in Leesburg, Va. The statue commemorates the sacrifices made by the patriots and citizens of the county, which ensure the freedoms enjoyed by all today. The memorial is unique in that it honors both the volunteer militiamen and the wives and children they left behind to work the farms.
Project of the Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR.
Photo: Douglas Graham.

In 2018 Freedom Hill Daughters installed and dedicated a marker for Colonel James Wren at the Wren-Darne Cemetery in Falls Church. Colonel Wren served in the Fairfax County Militia during the American Revolution, as a Commissioner and as a patriot who furnished supplies. Markers were also dedicated by chapters of the United States Daughters of 1812 and United Daughters of the Confederacy for additional Wren and Darne veterans.

The ceremony honored the memory and service of these veterans, and also celebrated the historic preservation efforts of the current cemetery owners who purchased the land and worked tirelessly to restore the cemetery, which dates to the 1700s. The ceremony was attended by members of lineage societies, service organizations, and the community, as well as many Wren and Darne descendants.
Project of Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Lauren Taylor

State Regent Judith Surber at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Montpelier's Claude Moore Hall Center for the Constitution. The 2016–2019 State Regent's Project was the underwriting of a conference room in Claude Moore Hall, Center for the Constitution at Montpelier, home of James Madison, at a cost of $200,000.

Virginia Daughters launched the Million Pollinator Project, April 21, 2017, at Stone Robinson School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Chapter members taught lessons about pollinators, read stories and planted a garden with students.
Project of Shadwell Chapter, NSDAR

Virginia Daughters raised funds for the purchase of specialized outdoor terrain wheelchairs and presented them to four disabled veterans in the spring of 2016.
Project of Albemarle Chapter, NSDAR

Virginia Daughters contributed to the rebuilding of the farmhouse at Claude Moore Colonial Farm, the restoration of the William Watters Cemetery, and the marking of historic Langley Fork.
Project of Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR

Virginia Daughters in Sterling, Virginia organized and funded a grave marking ceremony for Revolutionary War Patriot Enoch Furr.
Project of Stone Bridge Chapter, NSDAR

The Lewinsville Presbyterian Cemetery serves as the final resting place of the Reverend William Maffitt, who hosted James and Dolly Madison at Salona.
Project of Freedom Hill Chapter, NSDAR
Photo: Lauren Taylor