The Origins of the SAR

In 1876 there were many celebrations to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. As part of this patriotic fervor, a group of men in the San Francisco, California, area who were descendants of patriots involved in the American Revolution, formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires. Their objective was to have a fraternal and civic society to salute those men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the battle for independence from Great Britain. They desired to keep alive their ancestors' story of patriotism and courage in the belief that it is a universal one of man's struggle against tyranny -- a story which would inspire and sustain succeeding generations when they would have to defend and extend our freedoms.

Out of the Sires grew the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which was organized on April 30, 1889 -- the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President. We have used the acronym SAR to identify ourselves for over 100 years. The SAR was conceived as a fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of the men who wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence. The National Society was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress on June 9, 1906. The charter was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR. The charter authorizes the granting of charters to societies of the various states and territories and authorizes the state societies to charter chapters within their borders. Federal Legislation that established a federal charter for the National Society SAR. 

Our Membership

Today the SAR consists of 28,000 members in over 500 chapters in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Almost 165,000 descendants of the men and women Patriots of the American Revolution have been admitted since our founding.  SAR members include:

• 16 presidents of the United States
• Brigadier, Lieutenant and five star generals,
• Presidents of several colleges and universities,
• Ambassadors,
• Members of the Supreme Court, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. Congress.
• Members include small businessmen, doctors, lawyers, school teachers, CPAs, elected local, state, and federal officials, and government employees, all of whom have a deep affection for America its heritage and institutions.

SAR members answered their country's call in every major American conflict beginning with the battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 up to the present, including Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia and the current actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.  SAR members have received the highest awards America can bestow, including the Medal of Honor

Our Governance

The affairs of the Society are managed by National Trustees (one from each of the State and International Societies), 15 Regional Vice-Presidents and 10 National (General) Officers.

Each year these men meet several times at National Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky to conduct business.

Delegates from all state societies also meet each year for a multi-day session in a different city for an Annual Congress.

Over 60 Committees made up of scores of members also meet regularly to discuss, plan and act to achieve the Society's objectives.

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and The SAR Foundation undergo an independent audit each year.  The attached (Below) indicates that the entities received an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors.  Copies of the most recent IRS Forms 990, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” can be found below.

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nssar_-_2011_form_990_-_public_inspection_copy.pdf	404.49 KB
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sar_fdn_-_2011_form_990_-_public_inspection_copy.pdf	370.76 KB

National Society Sons of the American Revolution Staff

NSSAR Headquarters Staff

Phone: (502) 589-1776

Fax: (502) 589-1671

Note:

WHEN DIALING THE MAIN HEADQUARTERS PHONE NUMBER, (502) 589-1776, IF YOU REACH THE AUTOMATED ATTENDANT, ENTER THE EXTENSION LISTED BELOW FOR THE STAFF MEMBER YOU WISH TO REACH.

ALSO, STAFF MEMBERS CAN NOW BE DIRECT-DIALED WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE SWITCHBOARD OR AUTOMATED ATTENDANT BY DIALING:

(502) 588-(FOLLOWED BY THE STAFF MEMBER'S 4-DIGIT EXTENSION):

Executive Director:   dshawsar [dot] org (Donald Shaw)   Ext. 6128

Oversees the operations of the National Headquarters, while collaborating with the General Officers and other officers of the organization on the continuing efforts of promoting the goals of the Society and promoting the well being of the organization.

Finance Director:  accountingsar [dot] org (Craig Johnson)    Ext. 6120

Oversees all accounting functions of the Society.  Other functions include working with the various financial committees and the Treasurer General to insure a secure financial operation of the Society's monetary assets.

Finance Assistant / Record Copy Request:   Mary Butts   Ext. 6121

Assist in the accounting functions of the Society, including the deposit reconciliation, merchandise finance inquiries and any additional duties given by the Director of Finance.

Operations Director:   mscroggisar [dot] org (Michael Scroggins )   Ext. 6125

Oversees the daily operations of the Registrar and Special Events functions of the NSSAR Headquarters.  Also acts as operations/logistics coordinator for various scheduled buildings events, administers repairs and maintenance of NSSAR facilities.  Additional functions include internal and web database systems management, manages the SAR internal computer network system, and provides administrative support and coordination to the Executive Director.

Special Events Coordinator:   dsmalleysar [dot] org (Debbie Smalley)    Ext. 6123

Coordinates the various activities that include the Congress and Semi-annual Leadership meetings.  Provides clerical support for called and scheduled meetings.   Other duties include maintenance of current officers list for all levels of the SAR, record approved committee appointments and processing of the incoming mail.   Provide clerical and coordination support to the Executive Director.

Registrar:   aadamssar [dot] org (Aaron Adams)    Ext. 6142

Performs data entry functions for new members and supplemental applications, processes all approved applications.   Generates the Greetings Cards for new members along with their certificates and all other membership materials. Also, provides administrative support to the Finance Department for budgetary purposes and Operations Director on reporting membership statistics and trends.

Merchandise Director:   sgriffinsar [dot] org (Susan Griffin)    Ext. 6141

Manages the Merchandise operations, including the purchasing of materials, stocking the materials and processing of orders from Chapter/State Societies and Compatriots.

Merchandise Assistant:   jtoonsar [dot] org (Jonathan Toon)    Ext. 6139

Assist in the Merchandise operations of the Society, including the pulling and packing of customer orders, maintaining inventory counts and any additional duties given by the Merchandise Director.

Education Director / Director of CAAH:   cwilsonsar [dot] org (Colleen O. Wilson)    Ext. 6129

Oversees the creation of outreach educational programs.  Promotes the outreach education programs to communities and schools.  Develops resources materials for Society members and other patrons.

Library Director:   mchristisar [dot] org (Michael Christian )   Ext. 6131

Oversees the operations of the NSSAR Library and assist the general public and Compatriots in general research inquiries.  Other functions include working with the Librarian General to promote and continue to improve the operations of the NSSAR Library.

Assistant Librarian / Archivist: rsauersar [dot] org (Rae Ann Sauer)  Ext. 6130, 6132

The Assistant Librarian is the primary support to the Library Director and is required to maintain a working knowledge of day to day library operations. The Archivist is responsible for the preservation and organization of all museum and archival collections.

Cataloger / Assistant to the Librarian:  rchristisar [dot] org (Robin Christian)    Ext. 6138

Assist the Librarian in handling general inquiries. Process and cataloging all donated or purchased materials.  Other functions include clerical work and data entry along with any other duties assigned by the Librarian.  Also, handles directing incoming telephone calls or telephone inquires.

Genealogy Director:   sacreesar [dot] org (Susan Acree)   

Genealogist:   dandrewsar [dot] org (Deborah Andrew)  

Genealogist:   jhagansar [dot] org (Jessie Hagan)   

Genealogist:    dhallsar [dot] org (Denise Hall)  

Genealogist:   bhicklinsar [dot] org (Beverly Hicklin)   

The Genealogists perform the processing and review of new member and supplemental applications.  The staff also handle general inquiries that pertain to membership requirements and policies that involve the application process.

Please note:  NSSAR does not have information on every patriot who served during the American Revolution.   We do have information on those patriots that have been established by our members.

Due to limited staff we are unable to answer individual research requests for help.  Queries of this nature must be handled by a certified genealogist or a professional researcher of your choosing.  Please visit our library's website for a list of researchers.  These are people who have asked to be put on our list of available researchers.

Executive Assistant to The SAR Foundation:   ldunnsar [dot] org (Linda L. Dunn)    Ext. 1777

Provides assistance to the President of the SAR Foundation and the CAAH Capital Campaign Chairman along with the daily duties of the SAR Foundation office.

2012 - 2013 NSSAR General Officers

 

2012-2013 General Officers

 

Elected at Phoenix, Arizona, July 2012

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• President General -- is the chief executive officer of the SAR. He guides the policies, oversees headquarters operations, and appoints the members of all the committees.  He presides over meetings of the Executive Committee, the Trustees, and the annual Congress.  He (or his designated representative) represents the SAR at the meetings of or in negotiations with other organizations.

 

 

Stephen A. Leishman

 

Stephen A. Leishman (DE) has been a member in good standing with the Delaware Society since 1999.  Stephen A. Leishman was elected President General of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, in July, 2012 to serve a one-year term.

Secretary General joexyzverizon [dot] net (Joseph W. Dooley) (VA) Maintenance of records of the activities of the executive committee, trustees, and national congresses; headquarters staff operations; compiling officer and committee reports for distribution at meetings; meeting registration.	Treasurer General lindsey [dot] brockcomcast [dot] net (Lindsey C. Brock) (FL) Maintenance of financial records; advice and action on financial issues; headquarters merchandise operation; dues
Chancellor General Thomas E. Lawrence (TX) Advice and action on legal issues relating to the national society.	Genealogist General Larry P. Cornwell (AL) Guidance on genealogical problems related to applications for membership and supplementals.
Registrar General J. Michael Tomme, Sr. (GA) Maintenance of membership records	Historian General semperfibobcox [dot] net (Robert L. Bowen (VA)) Securing and interpreting of the records required to document the history of the national society.
Librarian General Michael C. Wells (AL) Guidance for maintaining the national headquarters library and museum	Surgeon General Abraham R. (Rudy) Byrd, III. M.D. (AZ) Advice and assistance for maintaining the health of our members.
Chaplain General Rev. Dr. Randy D Moody (FL) Advice and assistance for ministering to the spiritual needs of our members.

 

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Executive Committee Appointees

C. David Billings, Ph. D (AL)
John L. Dodd (CA)

PG Larry Magerkurth (CA)

Samuel C. Powell, PhD  (NC)
Davis L. Wright (DE)
 

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Vice Presidents General

These general officers serve as intermediaries between the national society and the state societies, grouped into fifteen Districts (geographic regions, two of which are outside the United States):

• New England - Michael Ellis Fishbein : Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
   
• North Atlantic - Frank Michael McGonigle : New York and New Jersey
   
• Mid-Atlantic - CAPT R. Duane Tackitt USN (Ret) : Delaware, Maryland, The District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
   
• South Atlantic - George Steven Pittard : North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
   
• Southern - John Raymond Taylor, Jr : Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana
   
• Central - Rev Forrest Bond Chilton : Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky
   
• Great Lakes - J. Gordon Bidner : Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin
   
• North Central - COL Ronald Edward McRoberts : Minnesota, The Dakota Society, Iowa, and Nebraska
   
• South Central - Peter Otto Grassl : Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas
   
• Rocky Mountain -  Jim Pat Thornton : Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico
   
• Inter-mountain -  LTC Joe Edwin Harris, Jr. USA (Ret.) : Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming
   
• Western - Gene Butler  : California, Nevada, and Hawaii
   
• Pacific - CDR Robert Forrest Doughty USCG (Ret)  : Washington, Oregon, and Alaska
   
• Europe - trentinianfree [dot] fr ( Jacques de Trentinan) : United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany, and the remainder of the Continent of Europe
   
• International - Lyman Richard Brenner : all territory outside of the other districts

 

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For a listing of Previous National Society Officers, you can visit a listing here.

 

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Our Goals

 Historical Goals:

• We commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution.
• We help preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution.
  
  • The National SAR was a major force behind the construction of the National Archives in Washington DC and the collection of historic documents there.
• We support research and presentations (books, articles, and talks) related to the history and people of the period 1750-1800.
  
  • The national SAR Magazine publishes authoritative descriptions of historical events in a quality magazine of archival value.
  • The SAR Revolutionary War Graves Committee published information on some 54,000 grave sites of patriots in the NSSAR Revolutionary War Graves Register, published in 1993.  More names have been collected and the entire 140,000 names and locations have now been published on CDROM.
  • The Patriot Index Committee is publishing a CDROM with information on 732,000 patriots and their descendants.

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Patriotic Goals

• We inspire the community with the principles on which our nation was founded.
  • Many chapters and states have color guards that wear Revolutionary War uniforms and participate in civic and patriotic events and observances such as Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Patriots Day (April 19), Bill of Rights Day, Yorktown Day, Constitution Day, and important battles of the Revolutionary War.
  • Each year the SAR National Congress passes resolutions to stimulate personal and national action based on these principles.
• We maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom. In 1994 the NSSAR formed a Task Force to Preserve U. S. History to help focus public attention on profound problems in some proposed national standards for teaching pre-college U. S. History.
• We help carry out the promises expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution.
• We provide recognition for public service. The state societies and chapters of the NSSAR present thousands of awards each year to law enforcement officers, public safety officers, and other citizens who exemplify the best civic traditions of our nation. This includes young men and women who are leaders in our communities: high-ranking high school students of history, Eagle Scouts, JROTC and ROTC cadets and midshipmen.
• We honor, respect, and support veterans, especially those confined to residential and hospital facilities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Educational Goals

• We sponsor contests -- essay and oration -- for high school students, based on historical and patriotic themes.
• We distribute history curriculum at no cost to the recipient.  This curriculum was developed by the Houston Independent School System in cooperation with the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation and the American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc.
• We inform the community about the events and philosophical bases of the American Revolution and the Constitution.  Color Guards in Revolutionary War uniforms participate in civic events and patriotic celebrations throughout the United States, providing pageantry, drama and a sense of the nation's history.  Important events and persons of the Revolutionary period are portrayed for students and the public at large.
• The SAR Magazine provides a public record of the activities of the society and has numerous articles detailing the history of the initial and continuing struggle for independence.

We help people locate and evaluate genealogical records. Our state and chapter registrars have excellent resources, and the NSSAR library is a major national repository of genealogical information.
 

 

 

 

Our Museum Gallery

 Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky

 

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Our headquarters building contains a number of copies and original artwork that commemorate the people and events of the Revolutionary War.   We hope that you enjoy the following snapshots and will plan to visit our headquarters.

 

• Entry and Left Side

• Roddis Room

• Alcove and Stairway leading Down

• Left Stairs Up to the Library

• Right Stairs Up to the Library

• Right Side and Far Wall

• Executive Director's office