Westchester DAR Chapter volunteers at The Great Holiday Train Show

Members of the Polly Cooper Chapter, NSDAR served as docents and warmly welcomed enthusiastic visitors to the opening weekend of the New Castle Historical Society’s The Great Holiday Train Show at the Horace Greeley House in Chappaqua, New York. Now in its fifth year, this beloved tradition has become a must-see event of the season. The Historical Society, along with the Train Show’s dedicated creators and volunteers, has built a festive world of history, fun, and nostalgia for all ages, where even the littlest fans can get the perfect view. A hands-on activity room featuring crafts and playable trains ensure every guest can experience the joy of model trains and toy railroads.

“Our DAR chapter was thrilled to support this incredible event,” said Rosemarie Schmidt, “This was my first time at the Train Show, and seeing the juxtaposition of clever, intricate displays and working model trains set within the beautifully decorated rooms of a 19th century farmhouse is truly special. Historic Preservation is a cornerstone of our organization and being able to support places like the Horace Greeley House, which was built in 1820, and later expanded by the Greeley family, ensures that the spaces and stories of local history are kept alive for future generations.”

DAR members volunteer millions of service hours each year in their local communities. The Polly Cooper Chapter’s service projects have included initiatives supporting literacy, historic preservation, conservation, veterans and active-duty military, genealogy research, naturalization ceremonies for new citizens, and more.

To learn more about the Polly Cooper Chapter’s activities or inquire about membership, please email info@pollycooperdar.org.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), a non-profit, non-political women’s service organization, was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. With approximately 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the largest and most active volunteer service organizations. To learn more about the work of Today's DAR, visit dar.org.

Now is a perfect time to discover whether you have an American Revolutionary War Patriot in your family—as the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.

Learn more about New Castle Historical Society at newcastlehs.org. The Great Holiday Train Show runs through January 3, 2026. Event and ticket information can be found at newcastlehs.org/exhibits/the-great-holiday-train-show-2025.