History of Florida DAR
On May 25, 1892, Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and wife of the 23rd President of the United States of America, appointed Mrs. J.N.C. Stockton as regent to organize the first Florida DAR chapter in Jacksonville. Three years later on April 2, 1895, the State of Florida had its very first DAR chapter, the “Jacksonville Chapter.” On March 12, 1894, Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, then President General, appointed Mrs. D. G. Ambler as Florida State Regent. Mrs. Ambler was later elected State Regent in February 1896 and she served through 1897.
In the 109 years that have followed the organization of the Jacksonville Chapter, 59 Florida State Regents have graced, guided, and nurtured the growth of our beloved Florida State Society. Because of their leadership, the Florida Daughters are almost 9,000 strong with 102 chapters statewide, all promoting the threefold purpose of the NSDAR. Those objectives are exactly the same today as when our National Society was organized in 1890: historical, educational, and patriotic.
Historical: To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence by the acquisition and protection of historical spites and the erection of monuments; by the encouragement of historical research in relation to the American Revolution and the publication of its results; by the preservation of documents and relics and of the records of the individual services of the Revolutionary soldiers and patriots; and by promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries.
Educational: To promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion and affording to young and old such advantages as shall develop in them the largest capacity for performing the duties of American Citizens.
Patriotic: To cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom; to foster true patriotism and love of country; and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessing of liberty.
We salute the Florida State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, for one hundred and nine years of devoted service to the objectives of our National Society; for service to our nation; for supporting the Constitution of the United States of America; for continued support of our armed forces and veterans; for commitment to our American heritage and to American history; for support for conservation, education, literacy, and women’s issues.
We, the Florida State Society Daughters, are ever mindful, as we continue to stride toward the future, that it is our solemn duty and responsibility to emulate the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence.