The Philadelphia-Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution began as the Philadelphia Chapter on March 29, 1901. In December, 1927, Chapter members from Germantown, Philadelphia, met to establish a separate "Continental" Chapter, officially approved the following month. Thirty years later, in 1958, the two chapters merged, assuming its present hyphenated name.
Today, with about 340 members, it is the largest single Chapter not only in Pennsylvania, but in the entire National Society. In its 96-year history, the Chapter's Compatriots have engaged in a wide range of patriotic, educational, and historical activities - often together, frequently as individuals.
In 1922, its Board of Management commended the Philadelphia mayor for vetoing a City Council bill which would have allowed for the temporary removal of the Liberty Bell to other sections of the country. In 1937, one of its wealthy members provided funds for the much-needed restoration of the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. In 1976, it hosted the National Society's Annual Congress for the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Recently, in the summer of 1996, the Chapter donated $1000 to the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund toward the purchase of the 45-acre battlefield site in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Chapter Compatriots place individual Betsy Ross flags annually on close to 1200 Revolutionary graves in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The Chapter presents awards (see the awards pages) to many local Eagle Scouts and to R.O.T.C. cadets in nearby high schools and universities, and participates in parades and ceremonials with its Color Guard dressed in Continental Army uniforms. Individual Chapter Compatriots distribute books to hospitalized veterans, give talks on historical subjects in the area, and engage in other patriotic activities. Members receive the Chapter's quarterly newsletter, the Compatriot News.
For the year 2010, dues for the Chapter are $25.00. This, combined with the $21.00 senior dues of the State Society and the $30.00 of the National Society, brings total SAR annual dues to $76.00 - $2.00 less for those 18 to 25. Chapter headquarters, like the State's, move with its Secretary's residence.
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