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Midewin Prairie Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Wilmington, Illinois


Welcome

In the Potawatomi language, midewin (pronounced Mih-Day-win) means “the healing grasses.” Fields of grasses and prairies were in abundance when the American Indians inhabited the prairie.

Our chapter is one of over 100 Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapters in the state of Illinois.

The DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education.

The Midewin Prairie Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized on November 16, 1996, with fifteen charter members. We are located in the area adjacent to the nation's designated “tall grass prairie.”

A bill to create the Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie was signed by President Bill Clinton on February 10, 1996. This action transferred almost 19,000 acres of land formally controlled by the Joliet Arsenal to the United States Forest Service.

The name Midewin Prairie was chosen because plans called for the restoration of this land (thus healed) to conditions similar to those present in the early 1800s.

Although a young chapter, the Midewin Prairie Chapter has always supported the National Society objectives: to promote historical preservation, education, and patriotism. Chapter members are true to our national motto: God, Home, and Country.

Our Officers

Regent Stacy Plese
Vice Regent Ellen Silkey
Chaplain Sharon Willson
Recording Secretary Edna Droz
Treasurer Barbara Rossi
Registrar Rebecca Sipple
Historian/Librarian Ellen Silkey

Member Serving the National Society
VAVS Advisory Committee Deputy Representative Sharon Martin Willson
   

Midewin Prairie Chapter continues to focus on service to veterans. Our members are on advisory and support committees for the Manteno Veterans Home.

Our Programs

Meetings are held the second Saturday of the month unless otherwise stated.

September 10, 2022 CONSTITUTION
The writing of the Constitution through Abagail Adams’s eyes
Presented by Roberta Neumann
October 8, 2022 AMERICAN INDIANS
Native Americans aiding the British in the Revolutionary War
Presented by Edna Droz
November 12, 2022 HISTORICAL
The Poppy Lady
Presented by Sharon Willson
December 10, 2022 CITIZENSHIP
DAR Good Citizen Essays
February 12, 2023 HISTORICAL
How Do You Connect with the Founding of Our Country?
Presented by Susan Snow, Illinois State Organization District IV Director
March 11, 2023 WOMEN’S ISSUES
We the Women — the fight for the ERA
Presented by Carol Frazier
April 15, 2023 CONSERVATION
Audubon The Pioneer American Naturalist
Presented by Stacey Plese
May 13, 2023 HISTORICAL & NATIONAL DEFENSE
My Grandmother’s DAR
Presented by State Regent Debra Ross Coe
Wreath Laying at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
Flag presentation Wesley Honor Roll
   

Balliet, Leonard
Beck, George
Bugh, Peter
Cody, Joseph
Crandall, Peter
Garrison, Richard

Henry, John
Koons, Nicholas
McConkey, Daniel
Moore, John
Ogilvie, Kimbrough Tinsley
Pratt, Samuel

Quigley, Isaac
Riddle, James
Roll, Isaac
Sherer, John Jacob
Simpson, William
Smith, Frederick

Stebbins, Abner Sr.
Swift, John
Toney, Jesse
VanCleave, William
Walker, Gabriel
Waugh, Joseph

Midewin Prarie
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Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
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Midewin Prarie

For information about our chapter or to attend a meeting: