Washington-Lewis Chapter, NSDAR
Fredericksburg, Virginia
America250 is the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary led by the U.S. Semi-quincentennial Commission. NSDAR was the first heritage society to formally partner with America250. Their agreement outlines a number of initiatives developed by the DAR to honor Revolutionary War Patriots, engage youth through contests and educational programming, and support efforts to better tell the story of underrepresented and diverse Patriots who helped to win the American War of Independence. The Washington-Lewis Chapter plans to leave a lasting impact on our community, through meaningful local projects and events, during this anniversary.
Our efforts have included various activities and events. Washington-Lewis received an America250 grant to place a historical marker at the monument to Mary Washington, “the mother of the father of our country.” The Mary Washington Monument holds the distinction as being the first monument in the United States funded by women to honor a woman. In 1890, the first resolution of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was a pledge to complete the monument. We met this goal in October of 2023.
Education About the American Revolution
In 2024, as part of the mandate from the National Society’s America 250! Special Committee, the Washington Lewis Chapter began to feature Educational Posts about the American Revolution on our Facebook page. The posts, which highlight national (America 250), state (VA250) and local (FXBG250) topics, will continue through July 4, 2026 - when our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Honoring Revolutionary War Patriots
The annual Our Hearts Sparkle project will honor Revolutionary War Patriots. Hundreds of Patriots will be showcased in the windows of forty-six (46) FXBG Downtown businesses from February 9 through February 28, 2026. In addition to Patriots from our own Washington-Lewis sisters, we are including Patriots shared by local DAR, SAR and C.A.R. Chapters, as well as the general public. Special interest displays include “Female Patriots,” “Patriots buried in the Masonic Cemetery,” “Forgotten Patriots,” “Music of the Revolution,” "Clothing During the Revolutionary Time Period," and “Dogs of the Revolution.” The Patriot posters created for this event will be maintained and loaned out to school systems, DAR/SAR Chapters, libraries… for educational and patriotic programming in the future.
The Washington-Lewis Chapter is partnering with the Fredericksburg Area Museum for its upcoming 250th anniversary exhibit, "Witness to a Revolution," which will spotlight local patriots who contributed to the American Revolution. This project will recognize the diverse individuals, men and women of all races, backgrounds, and circumstances whose actions shaped the course of the Revolution. Many of the Patriots showcased in the Sparkle event will be included in this important exhibit.Your submission will help ensure their legacies are honored and remembered. Contact the Museum for the We the People: Stories of A Revolution Submission Form.
E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative: Telling the Story of Underrepresented and Diverse Patriots
Part of our America250 project includes co-hosting a series of Genealogy Workshops with the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Two highlighted unique genealogical resources for those in our African American and American Indian communities. Our goal was to help local residents identify underrepresented and diverse Patriots as well as to increase enthusiasm in genealogy and interest in joining DAR or SAR. We are showcasing their newly discovered Revolutionary War Patriots during our Sparkle event.
Our partner, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, registered attendees and hosted each workshop. They joined the Washington-Lewis and Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapters as well as the Center for African American Genealogical Research, Inc., the Choptico Band of Piscataway-Kanawha Awenik', of Maryland, the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogy Society, and Virginia DAR District IX, in presenting a total of seven Genealogy Workshops.
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August 23 - Beginners Genealogy
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September 6 - Beginners Genealogy
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September 15 - FXBG business community
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October 4 - African American community
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November 1 - Research Assistance
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December 6 - American Indian community
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January 3, 2026 - Middle and High School Students
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The workshops, presented in memory of John Frederick Dorman, III (1928-2021) who ranked among the most influential genealogists of his generation, were so successful that the partners have enthusiastically agreed to continue them in the future! Be on the lookout for upcoming workshops.
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Engaging Youth
This is an exciting part of our America250 project: A Revolutionary Flag Art Contest is being held for area 4th and 5th grade students. Art will be displayed in the atrium of the library from February 16–28th. We are also hosting a high school Essay Contest. Winners will be honored during the America250 Colors Reception on February 20, 2026.
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Additionally, the Surgeon Lawrence Brooke Society, Children of the American Revolution will showcase their 2025 C.A.R. Patriot Projects during the February 2026 SPARKLE event. Their projects will be displayed at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center.
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For more information, or to volunteer, please contact our America250 Chair.