SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: The Silver City Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is pleased to announce its America 250 community project, "In the Spirit of 1776." This project provides a unique way to celebrate America's milestone anniversaries and is a historical education opportunity for people of all ages in our community.
"In the Spirit of 1776" unites a time capsule with the concept of a message in a bottle. Starting July 4th this year at the Silver City Independence Day Parade and Patriotic Freedom Festival, we will begin collecting 1,776 patriotic notes/warm wishes from children, students and adults in our community. Next year at Silver City's Semiquincentennial Independence Day celebration, these 1,776 notes will be enclosed in a time capsule. The "message in the bottle" part: 50 years later at Silver City's Tricentennial celebration on July 4, 2076, the time capsule will be opened and each note therein passed out randomly to individuals at that celebration – a patriotic and warm wish from someone in our communities celebrating America's 250th to someone here in the future celebrating the 300th anniversary of American independence.
Your note could be a quote from one of our nation's founders, Revolutionary War patriots, or a United States President; a scripture or song verse; or simply a blessing or warm wish to someone who will be reading it at America's Tricentennial celebration. Your note must be on the printed DAR notes we will provide, as on the reverse side is a description of the project so the person receiving it 50 years later will know what the project was all about.
What will you write? Start thinking about it and maybe do a little research. It's a great opportunity to involve your family and learn more about the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our freedoms. At this year's July 4th celebration, look for the DAR booth. Come by and write your "In the Spirit of 1776" note for the time capsule and be a part of our historic American Independence milestone celebrations!
The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established in 2016 and is facilitating nationwide plans to observe this historic occasion. The Commission created the America250 Foundation and identifies under its banner. America250 is a coalition of public and private partners, including the National Society DAR, all working to create initiatives and programs that honor the United States of America's first 250 years and imagine our next 250.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890, and incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress, to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America's freedom. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System ( www.dar.org/GRS ), the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these patriots. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women's service organization with more than 185,000 members in approximately 3000 chapters worldwide. 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 for membership. DAR members passionately carry out the timeless mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR and membership, call Lucy Whitmarsh at (575) 574-8394 or email
