History

   In 1895 Utah began the process of becoming a state organization with a single chapter. The first chapter was to be called the "Jennie McNeal Chapter" after a Revolutionary War heroine from the famous poem,  "The Ride of Jennie McNeal."  However, as Jennie was a fictional heroine, it was suggested a new name be selected..   

    Harriet Wetmore Sells, a "Real Daughter" (a daughter of a Patriot and a member of DAR), suggested the name "Spirit of Liberty."  Her father was Bela Wetmore, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Harriet was married to Elija B. Sells, a lumber merchant. The name was accepted and the organization was officially formed on 17 January 1897. 

    Margaret Blaine Walker Salisbury (c1865 -1921) was elected Utah's first State Regent.  She was the daughter of Robert C. Walker and Elizabeth Blaine.  Margaret was the niece of James G. Blaine, Secretary of State under President Garfield in 1880, and President Harrison in 1888.  In 1884, her Uncle James ran against Grover Cleveland for United States President, but was defeated.  Margaret was married to Orange J. Salisbury.  Today, nine DAR chapters serve throughout the state of Utah to promote education, historic preservation, and patriotism. 

Focus

NSDAR Motto - God, Home, and Country

The 2007-2010 National Administration Theme - The Spirit of Hospitality Opens Doors of Opportunity

2006-2008 Utah State Theme - We are the Bridge from Chapter to National

Historic Preservation

Membership

DAR Members are educators, students, professionals, mothers, historians, genealogists, and homemakers who take an active role in their communities promoting our objectives of patriotism, education and historic preservation.  With almost 3000 chapters throughout the world, with over  170,000 members, we are one of the largest women organizations in the world.

Membership in DAR offers a number of benefits, including:

We are thrilled you are interested in the DAR, a non-profit service organization promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism.  

An applicant for membership must be no less than 18 years of age. She shall prove lineal, blood line, descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. This shall include the applicant’s birth certificate naming her parents. This applies to "new ancestors" and to previously accepted lineages for which documentation was not required at the time of acceptance.

If you are interested in joining DAR in Utah, please contact the Chapter nearest to you.

Utah Chapters

Utah State Organization - Regents        Bountiful - Sego Lily - Cindy Toone Website EMAIL      Cedar City - Bald Eagle - Jane Comp Website EMAIL      Logan - Bear River - Rena Forinash Website EMAIL      Murray - Salt Lake Valley - Kay Christiansen Website EMAIL      Ogden - Golden Spike - Majorie V. Strand Website EMAIL      Provo - Wasatch Range - Deloris Niedfeldt Website EMAIL      Salt Lake City - Princess Timpanogos - Helen Clayton Website EMAIL      Salt Lake City - Uintah - Nancy Longhurst Website EMAIL      St George - Color Country - Mary Moore Website EMAIL

Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.