The Shrewsbury Towne- Monmouth Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and continuing to embrace, support and encourage not only historic preservation but education and patriotism as well.Going Strong
The Shrewsbury Towne Chapter was organized in 1935, and in 2004 merged with the Monmouth Chapter in formal moves approved by the National DAR, and thus creating the century old chapter celebrating the same ideals and programs that the DAR throughout the nation holds high.
The Shrewsbury Towne Chapter took its name from Shrewsbury Towne, settled in 1664; the name given to quiet and attractive part of Monmouth County where two trails converged, and business centered at the point of the merger, making it a crossroads in the 17th century.
Four Corners, where the King’s Highway crossed the Burlington Trail, the Indian Trail now known as Sycamore Avenue, was lined with stately sycamores which shaded Washington’s worn and wounded men as they pursued the English in their retreat from Philadelphia to Sandy Hook. The DAR chapter placed a commemorative plaque on one of these sycamores which is still visible on the tree.
But it is not only the history of the name of the chapter that is meaningful to its members, rather it is the work they do on a regular basis that continues to pride to both Shrewsbury Towne and modern-day Shrewsbury as well.
Chapter members throughout the year work on projects specifically to promote the three pillars of the DAR, historic preservation, education and patriotism. Offering opportunities for people of all ages to gain more knowledge about the nation’s history, their programs are innovative, highly popular and in conjunction with the national DAR’s high standards.
One of the Shrewsbury Towne DAR’s major projects is a multiyear plan they have designed under the Historic Preservation Pillar.
With National DAR approval, the chapter is marking all of the nearly 20 graves of Patriots who fought in the American Revolution and are buried in the Shrewsbury graveyards at Historic Four Corners.
Chapter members plan to hold one large service to honor these Patriots with official DAR Patriot grave markers when all the approvals are completed.
Several times a year, DAR members are in the graveyards cleaning the headstones of those buried in Shrewsbury and ensuring they are honored once again by upholding their mission of education and preservation.
Continuing to practice their three missions, with an accent of education, the chapter collects thousands of books every year for their Bridge of Books foundation. In addition, they have been working on a Little Free Library which will be installed soon and will be kept stocked by chapter members.
The Chapter also nominates an Outstanding Teacher of American History many years, and every spring awards the top ROTC cadet at Rutgers, Princeton, and Seton Hall Universities with the DAR Gold ROTC Medal.
The chapter also awards 8th grade students with the DAR Youth Citizenship medal for Honor, Service, and Courage, making the presentation at their graduation ceremony. One student from more than a dozen local schools is chosen by their faculty and administration for this award.
They also awarded Cindy Zipf the National Medal for Conservation and have a chapter team which cleans the beaches twice yearly during Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweep.
The chapter is proud also of the honor it pays to all veterans with both luncheons and celebrations. Members visit Soldier On, a facility for homeless vets, monthly bringing snacks, games, and companionship. Annually, Constitution Week celebrates exhibits in several local libraries.
One of the Chapter’s most recognized and appreciated events each year is its American History Essay Contest, when students in local schools submit their essays for judging by a distinguished panel of DAR members who select winners who could then compete further at state and national competitions for the DAR.
The Chapter meets monthly at the Shrewsbury Historical Society Museum, alternating between weeknights and Saturdays. Persons wishing more information on the DAR chapter or to see if they are eligible to become members can visit the Shrewsbury-Town Monmouth Chapter link at
www.njdar.org/shrewsbury-towne-monmouth-chapter
