History of the Sons of the American Revolution
The Sons of the American Revolution was incorporated on January 17, 1890, in Connecticut and later chartered by the United States Congress on June 9, 1906. Prior to this date a number of state societies were formed in the 1880’s. These were led by The Sons of Revolutionary Sires organized July 4, 1876, in San Francisco. The first Congress of the National Society was held in Louisville, Kentucky on April 30, 1890, which was the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s taking the oath of office of President of the United States.
The North Carolina SAR was chartered February 22, 1911. The people, places and events of North Carolina during the Revolutionary War played the pivotal role in bringing the War to a victorious conclusion in Yorktown. There are so many historic battles, places and cemeteries located across the Old North State. We join together as chapters and compatriots to mark and honor the men, women and children who fought to bring freedom to our great country. We invite you to discover your own ancestry and history then become a part of the SAR.
Our Purpose
The purposes of the Sons of the American Revolution are patriotic, historical and educational.
- Perpetuating the memory of Revolutionary War Patriots.
- Promoting fellowship among their descendants.
- Inspiring the community with a reverence for the principles of government founded by our forefathers.
- Encouraging historical research of the American Revolution.
- Preserving the records of Revolutionary War Patriots.
- Marking the locations of the Revolution events and its soldiers.
- Celebrating anniversaries of the Revolution.
- Fostering true patriotism.
- Maintaining and extending institutions of American freedom.
- Carrying out the purposes of the Preamble of the Constitution.
- Following the injunctions of Washington’s farewell address to the American people.
What the SAR Means to Me
What
We Do
- Honor individuals for outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement on a national, regional and local level.
- Honor persons for outstanding bravery and self sacrifice in the face of imminent danger.
- Honor members of the United States Congress for outstanding service to the nation.
- Honor outstanding high school students annually with the presentation of a Good Citizenship Award.
- Honor outstanding Junior and Senior ROTC cadets annually with the presentation of the ROTC Award.
- Honor Law Enforcement officials for outstanding service with a Law Enforcement Award.
- Select an outstanding Eagle Scout annually at the branch, state and national level. The national winner receives a college scholarship.
- Honor an outstanding student for winning the Knight Essay Contest.
- Assist veterans in Veterans Hospitals.
- Conduct a national historical orations contest annually.
- Sponsor Boy Scout troops and chapters of the Children of the American Revolution.
- Place SAR Markers at the grave sites of Revolutionary War Patriots and SAR Members.
- Commemorate Revolutionary War Patriots with appropriate ceremonies.
- Participate in new citizenship swearing-in ceremonies.
- Observe patriotic anniversaries.
- Collaborate with the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Children of the American Revolution in the promotion of patriotism.