DAR Birthday Celebration
On June 12, 2021, the local Head of Elk Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), held their 90th birthday celebration, at Elk Landing, Elkton, Maryland.
In attendance were: George Washington, Maryland DAR State Regent Maureen Tipton, Maryland State Vice Regent Mernie Crane, and local Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) President Hobert Halsey of Colonel Henry Hollingsworth Chapter.
BSA Troop performed opening and closing ritual (US Flag presentation, Pledge, and our National Anthem).
Mary Biron, in colonial attire, introduced her Revolutionary War Patriot Ephraim Osborne, followed by a fashion show of DAR through the last 9 decades.
Mary White, trumpeter, accompanied all music. She also played a special Anthem, Chester, which was considered the National Anthem, during the Revolutionary era and our first National Anthem. Chester was written by William Billings in 1770.
The NSDAR was founded in 1890 To perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent. The DAR is a non profit, non political volunteer woman's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Each member has proven lineage to a Patriot, one who has fought or aided or assisted in the Revolutionary War .
The head of elk was named for the courses of 2 streams, Big and Little Elk Creek, that conferred to form the Elk River, and bear striking resemblance to the antlers of an Elk.
The Head of Elk, or Elk Landing, became historic in the American Revolution as the focal point for the transportation of troops, food, animals, armaments, etc, and was in a key position, geographically speaking, to the armies of the Northern and Southern colonies and was a thoroughfare for the troops of both sides, traveling by land or water. Elk Landing was a frequent stopping place for Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Howe and others . There are authentic recorded visitings of these gentleman in the town.
Elk Landing Foundation Historian Jon Carpenter spoke on the function of Elk Landing during the Revolutionary War. 65 were in attendance. House tours of the Hollingsworth House were also conducted by Docents.
A wonderful day was had by all.
