The Pennsylvania Society - SAR was organized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 23, 1893, with 25 charter members, all from the District of Columbia Society - since the National headquarters was then located in Washington, D.C. Colonel William A. Herron was the first president, serving until 1900. Nowadays, presidents serve only one year.
By 1902, membership had grown to 378 - and in 2006 has reached nearly 2,000. The Pennsylvania Society, like the other State Societies across the nation, is authorized to issue chapter charters within the state. In Pennsylvania, there are now 24 local chapters, plus an "at large" chapter.
The Society holds quarterly meetings - hosted around the state in turn by the local chapters - at which Pennsylvania members and their guests foregather, dine and get acquainted, and the Compatriots conduct business of state-wide concern. Medals and awards are presented to members and other Americans for patriotic activities and civic services, and donations made to worthy historical and genealogical projects, associated with the colonial and Revolutionary period. A quarterly magazine, The Minuteman, containing reports and articles, is also published.
The State Society
headquarters is moveable, the mailing address being wherever the
State Secretary happens to reside. Currently,
Pennsylvania's Secretary J. Fenwick Shugrue, lives in
Biglerville, PA. The State President is Miles K. Dechant. The State Society dues are $16.00 (reduced to $14.00 for
Compatriots who are between the ages of 18 and 25).
Last Modified 5/5/2006