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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 Roberta Neumann
Chaplain Sharon Willson
Recording Secretary Ellen Silkey
Treasurer Ellen Silkey
Registrar Rebecca Sipple
Historian/Librarian Barb Rossi

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 2025

Meetings are usually held the second Saturday of the month.
Please contact us for additional meeting information.

February AMERICAN INDIANS
Lumbee Indians of NC
Presented by Stacy Plese
March NSDAR / AMERICANISM
Leadership and Teamwork
Presented by State Regent, Christina Bannon
April NSDAR / WOMEN
First President General
Presented by Barb Rossi and Ellen Silkey
May NSDAR / NATIONAL DEFENSE
Wreath Laying at ALNC
   

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
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie
Midewin Prarie

For information about our chapter or to attend a meeting: