Alida C. Bliss Chapter, NSDAR Morris, Illinois

Welcome

We are so happy to welcome you to our website. The Alida C. Bliss Chapter has a proud history of fulfilling the objectives of the Daughters of the American Revolution: Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism. We are good at it since we have been doing it for nearly 100 years! While members in 1917 made surgical dressings, members today actively support the veteran's home in LaSalle Peru. Our chapter has always placed great emphasis on historic preservation. Perhaps you have seen the tablet placed on the Grundy County Courthouse in memory of twenty-seven local men who gave their lives during World War I. Another marker at the courthouse recognizes the life of Indian Chieftain Nucquette. Two other significant markers are located at the White-Holderman and Old Mazon Cemeteries. Our chapter assisted with the placing of a monument honoring Chief Shabbona in Evergreen Cemetery. We sponsor American History essay contests in local grade schools and the DAR Good Citizens essay contest for high school seniors. You have probably seen us participating in the local Memorial and Veterans Day parades. We would love to have you join us.

Membership

Membership in the DAR is very rewarding. To become a member, a woman must be at least 18 years old, and be able to prove blood descent from a man or woman who helped in the cause of American independence between 1775 and 1783. 

When you join DAR, you become part of a network of more than 177,000 women who form lifelong bonds of friendship, honor the memory of their revolutionary ancestors, and promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism in their communities. Learn more here or contact us. 

DAR Objectives

The DAR was founded on October 11, 1890, to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Most of DAR's volunteer work is accomplished by the grassroots efforts of chapters on the local level which focus on the mission areas of DAR by encouraging members to become involved in these initiatives in their local communities.

DAR members participate in an array of projects to help historic preservation, such as restoring and maintaining historical sites; locating, restoring and marking Revolutionary War patriot gravesites and headstones; organizing and contributing to major restorations, commemorations and memorials; placing monuments around the world to memorialize people and events throughout American history; preserving genealogical records, artifacts, and historical documents and making these items available to the public at DAR Headquarters.

DAR members are passionate about education and promote it by providing scholarships and awards to outstanding students; promoting education and citizenship through youth programs such as Children of the American Revolution, DAR Good Citizens and Junior American Citizens; sponsoring American history essay contests for youth in grades 5 through 8; supporting six DAR-supported schools and two American Indian schools.

DAR members’ patriotism and love of country is evident in the multitude of patriotic endeavors they pursue, including providing more than 200,000 hours of volunteer time annually to veterans in Veterans Administration hospitals and non-VA facilities; offering support to America’s service personnel in current conflicts abroad through care packages, phone cards and other needed items; sponsoring special programs promoting the Constitution during its official celebration week of September 17-23; participating in naturalization ceremonies; presenting patriotic awards to deserving individuals including Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award, DAR Good Citizens awards and medals, ROTC medals, and Community Service awards.