DAR Col. Josiah Smith Chapter Kicks Off 2024-2025 Program Year

On September 14, the Patchogue chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered at the Bayport-Bluepoint Library for its first meeting of the 2024–2025 program year.

At this September meeting, members of the Col. Josiah Smith Chapter heard updates on historic preservation initiatives at a local historic landmark, launched a holiday card campaign for military members, and celebrated the leadership achievements of two chapter members.

Fire Island National Seashore Superintendent Alexcy Romero discussed ongoing restoration efforts at the William Floyd Estate. Romero aims to restore the estate to its original appearance from Floyd’s era (1734–1803), preserving its historical significance for future generations. He also announced plans to form of a nonprofit “Friends of the William Floyd Estate” group, which will facilitate philanthropic donations, catalog and transcribe the estate’s extensive collection of letters and documents, and assist in recovering heirlooms belonging to the estate. The Col. Josiah Smith Chapter expressed enthusiasm for these initiatives and plans to actively support and participate in the preservation efforts. Additionally, Romero shared updates on plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, emphasizing the estate’s important role in the nation's history.

Located in Mastic Beach, N.Y., this historic site is the only remaining home of a New York signer of the Declaration of Independence. While the estate has been expanded and renovated by Floyd’s descendants over the centuries, it has faced deterioration in recent decades.

During the meeting, the chapter also launched its annual "DAR Service to America" project, with an ambitious goal of writing 500 holiday cards to active-duty service members. These cards will be sent to the Holiday Cards for Our Military Challenge, an organization dedicated to delivering personalized, signed messages of respect, caring, and gratitude to U.S. troops.

To honor the anniversary of DAR’s founding on October 11, 1890, chapters and individuals are encouraged to engage in meaningful service projects in their communities each year on or around October 11. As part of this annual service tradition, Col. Josiah Smith Chapter members will be writing and collecting cards through the end of October.

The chapter also celebrated the achievements of Regent Erin Shaw and DAR Service for Veterans Chairman Kathleen Guleksen, both of whom recently completed the DAR New Horizons course. New Horizons is a specialized training program designed for members who aspire to serve in officer positions at the chapter, state, or national level of the DAR. By completing this course, members are better prepared to take on leadership roles and contribute more effectively to the organization’s mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism. This accomplishment marks an important step in their DAR journey.

The chapter's next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible. The Colonel Josiah Smith Chapter, NSDAR, was charted in Patchogue, N.Y., in 1920 and has been active in the community for more than 100 years. For additional information about the chapter and its relevant mission, visit coloneljosiahsmithchapternsdar.org.