MOUNT VERNON — The Lucy Knox Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has preserved and promoted patriotism across Knox County for the last 30 years.
The Lucy Knox DAR Chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary this past May.
The first meeting to form a Knox County Chapter of the DAR was held at the Russell-Cooper House in Mount Vernon on Oct. 14, 1995. The Lucy Knox Chapter was officially organized on May 11, 1996.
Today, there are a total of 80 members.
The chapter welcomes adult women “who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence,” according to the DAR website.
The chapter’s legacy
Sandy McCann is the current registrar of the Knox County chapter. She joined Lucy Knox as an organizing member with her mother and sister in 1996.
The chapter meets ten times a year, once a month from September to June. Meeting programs typically relate to one of the three core DAR values: historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The chapter tries to localize programs as often as possible.
“One of the programs that we had in the Spring was colonial refreshments — what the colonials drank … a member researched and did the program for us,” McCann said.
The chapter also helps to support local veterans and currently works with the Knox County Veterans Service Office in Mount Vernon.
One of the largest events the chapter has been involved in occurred in 2001.
“(For) the 225th anniversary of the declaration, we presented the musical 1776 and had tremendous community support … on Sunday afternoon, all veterans were admitted free and enjoyed a reception after the production,” McCann said.
This year, for America’s 250th anniversary, the chapter’s celebration were smaller, but no less meaningful.
Members tabled at Mount Vernon’s “Party Like it’s 1776” First Friday and marched in the 4th of July parade in Gambier. They also passed out more than 200 American flags during the Memorial Day parade in Mount Vernon.
McCann said she hopes the organization will continue to encourage people to engage with American history and their communities.
“We want to make sure there is somebody carrying the torch for patriotism throughout our history and our country,” McCann said.
The history of Lucy Knox
Lucy Knox was born in 1756 to a prominent Boston family. In 1774, she married Henry Knox despite her family’s objections to his lower social status as a bookseller.
After the Battle of Lexington, her family returned to England and Lucy never saw them again.
Lucy and Henry escaped Boston in May 1775.
Soon after, Lucy joined Henry at the Patriot camp in Cambridge. She followed him closely through years of campaigns and, while at Valley Forge, met and bonded with Martha Washington.
Her husband would eventually serve the country as President George Washington’s Secretary of War. The couple would retire to Maine in 1795.
Lucy died in June 1824, at the age of 68.
Today, the Lucy Knox Chapter honors her legacy by promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism throughout Knox County.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.
