MOUNT VERNON – The Lucy Knox Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated the 25th anniversary of the organization of the chapter on May 1, 2021, with State Regent Kathleen Gobin Dixon as a special guest.
On May 11, 1996, twenty ladies came together at the Russell Cooper house in Mount Vernon for the organizational meeting of the Lucy Knox Chapter. Chapter namesake, Lucy Knox, was the wife of General Henry Knox, for whom the county was named.
Chapter Regent Suzy Davidson led the chapter in the opening ceremony. State Regent Dixon read congratulatory greetings from National Society DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren and then added her own congratulations. Regent Davidson read greetings from Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr. Members of the chapter read congratulatory messages from several state officers, state committee chairs and DAR chapters from around Ohio.
The Lucy Knox Chapter currently has 99 members and eight associate members. Chapter members have served at the local, state and national level. During the first year, the decision was made to promote the American History Essay Contest in area schools, and several chapter winners have gone on to additional recognition. The chapter recognizes a senior from each Knox County school as a DAR Good Citizen and presents a bronze medal to an outstanding JROTC Cadet at the Career Center. Constitution Week kits are provided to a class in September and the chapter’s DAR Community Classroom Committee supports a local classroom with supplies.
Veterans projects have also been a priority. The proceeds from our production of “1776” were presented to a local veterans group. Knox County veterans attending the Veterans Day service on the Public Square receive a carnation from the chapter. Lucy Knox published the book “Revolutionary War Patriots of Knox County, Ohio,” and we have placed DAR markers on the graves of a number of Revolutionary War patriots who died in Knox County.
Chapter members have volunteered at the Clock House Museum, the cemetery tour, at local schools, at Hope Now and in their local communities. Each year, the chapter has recognized a member of the community with a Community Service Award. The chapter also sponsors the Lucy Knox Thatcher Society Children of the American Revolution.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. Find more information at dar.org or look for the Lucy Knox Chapter of the DAR on Facebook.
In photo, organizing members, May 11, 1996
Row 1: Mary Lawrence, Margaret Elliott, Kathy Pullins. Row 2: Karen Martin, Vicki Hartley, Lauren Graham, Connie Matthews. Row 3: Elinor Vernon, Claire Geiger, Virginia Simpson, Kristen Elliott. Row 4: Sandy McCann, Jerri Stewart, Beth Stewart, Jessie Mitchell. Row 5: Mitzie Graham, Lucille Daniels, Kate Smith, Martha Stuller.
