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Fort Churchill Society Children of the American Revolution Carson City & Reno, Nevada |
Go to: Calendar of Events | Officers | Membership | Themes
Pride. Patriotism. Love of Country.
The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution trains good citizens, develops leaders and promotes love of the United States of America and its heritage among young people. Our six objectives for members are:
- To acquire knowledge of American History.
- To preserve and restore places of Historical importance associated with men and women who forwarded American Independence.
- To ascertain the deeds and honor the memories of the men, women and children who rendered service to the cause of the American Revolution.
- To promote the celebration of patriotic anniversaries.
- To honor and cherish the Flag of the United States of America above every other flag.
- To love, uphold and extend the principles of American liberty and patriotism.
Fort Churchill Society
Fort Churchill Society reorganized on April 9, 2011. Our Society was first organized on May 17, 1958 in Reno, Nevada. The Society disbanded on October 15, 1979.
Fort Churchill, Nevada was founded by the U.S. Army in 1860 at the height of Indian attacks on settlers in Nevada. The Carson River Expedition led by Captain Joseph Stewart was ordered to establish a post on the Carson River which would assist in guarding the Pony Express and other mail routes as well as the protection of settlers.
Hundreds of soldiers served at the fort named after Sylvester Churchill, the Inspector General of the US Army. The fort consisted of adobe buildings constructed on stone foundations in the traditional form of a square which faced a central parade ground. The onset of the Civil War made Fort Churchill a vital supply depot for the Nevada Military District and as a base for troops on patrol on the overland routes. Around 200 soldiers were stationed at Fort Churchill at any given time.
By 1869 Fort Churchill had outlived its use. The adobe buildings were auctioned for only $750 when the fort was abandoned by the military. Remains of soldiers buried in the post cemetery were moved to Carson City in 1884. The cemetery remains a part of Fort Churchill today, but the only remaining graves are of the Buckland family, pioneer ranchers who sold supplies to the fort.
The State of Nevada, only 7 years old, declined the chance to acquire Fort Churchill in 1871. For many years the fort lay neglected, used primarily as a shelter for travelers on the Carson River Trail. Some scavenged the fort remains for building materials.
In the early 1930s the Nevada Sagebrush Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution took an interest in preserving the fort. The State of Nevada took custody of 200 acres of the original military reservation on October 6, 1932. Aided by the passage of Assembly Bill 189 by the 1931 Nevada Legislature, the State of Nevada in turn deeded the land and buildings on April 30, 1934 to the Nevada Sagebrush Chapter DAR to hold in trust. The National Park Service made restoration plans, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) renovated the fort remains and built the visitor center. But World War II pulled manpower away from the fort and it was vandalized and damaged from weather until interest returned in 1957 when it became a part of the Nevada State Park System. On February 16, 1961, the title of Fort Churchill was reconveyed from the DAR to the State of Nevada. A Governor’s proclamation declared Fort Churchill a state historical monument.
Today, thousands of visitors each year enjoy visiting Fort Churchill State Historic Park, located just outside of Silver Springs, Nevada.
Officers
| Society Officers | ||
President |
Noah Jennings Abbi Hubert Nikolaus Desormier Chloe Woodbury Patricia McMillin Seth Houghton Peter Woodbury Kayla Hubert Liam Desormier |
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| Senior Society Officers | Visit to Nevada State Railroad Museum, May 2011 |
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| President Vice President Chaplain Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Treasurer Registrar Historian Librarian/Curator |
Stacy Woodbury Anita Parker Darcy Houghton Jan Gould Julie McMillin Lori Bagwell Anita Sheard Bonnie Hubert Patricia Desormier |
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Calendar of Events 2011 - 2012
- April 9, organizing meeting
- May 22, visit to Nevada State Railroad Museum
- August 7, meeting and official visit of State President Noah Jennings
- September 11, participate in 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and I-Beam Dedication
- November 6, make banners for Junior American Citizens contest
- December 5, Wreaths Across America Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremony
- January 15, meeting and play rehearsal
- January 18, 2012 - present The Constitutional Convention play to Battle Born Chapter DAR
- March 25, 2012, Nevada State C.A.R. Conference, Carson City (download registration form)
- April meeting, TBD, visit to Fort Churchill State historic monument
- April 20 - 22, National C.A.R. Convention, Virginia
- July 6 - 7, 2012, Western Region C.A.R. Conference, Seattle, Washington
State Theme 2011 - 2012: Preserving the American Dream
Every day while we are Living the American Dream, thousands of American men and women are serving overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces Preserving the American Dream.
As Children of the American Revolution, our ancestors and their families shared the same kind of sacrifices as our service members and their families do today. This year, let’s show our support for these brave men and women who continue Preserving the American Dream.
The State President’s Project asks each local C.A.R. society to participate in activities to support those who are Preserving the American Dream.
Please keep track of your activities. Boxes can be logged as to how many pounds of items you shipped overseas to your service members. You can also track the number of cards, letters, e-mails, etc. Each local society will be asked to give a report regarding their activities Preserving the American Dream just prior to the Nevada State Society conference in the spring of 2012. Download our project flyer here.
National Theme 2011 - 2012: Living the American Dream
Each year, the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution creates a National Theme and the National President develops a program that will benefit the Society and the nation.
The National Theme for the 2011–2012 N.S.C.A.R. year is Living the American Dream.
Our Founding Fathers had a dream for what they wanted America to become, and great risk came with the action on that dream for them and everyone else who gave aid to the American Revolution. As the Children of the American Revolution, we honor their dream and their bravery, but their dream and their fight for America did not end in the time of the American Revolution. We carry with us today the same core values of their dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What better way is there to honor their dream than by supporting those who defend that dream today? Thanks to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, we are able to be Living the American Dream.
This year our National Project is to raise funds for the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation builds "comfort homes" on the grounds of major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. These homes are made available for families of those being treated to stay free of charge, allowing them to be close to their loved ones in their time of need. For more information visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org.
The funds that we raise will go toward building a new Fisher House that needs donations at the time of our National Convention in April 2012. There are 54 Fisher Houses located throughout the United States and in Germany and 16 Fisher Houses that are currently in the planning, design, or construction phase.
While we are raising funds for a new house, a heavy focus throughout the year is being placed on volunteering with Fisher Houses that are in operation. 60% of our local societies are in a state with a Fisher House, and 99% have a Fisher House in their state or an adjacent state which allows for lots of hands-on contact with this project. Through volunteer hours and donating items such as books, toys, and food, C.A.R. hopes to have a major impact on military families throughout the nation.
The C.A.R. Creed states, "I believe in the Children of the American Revolution as an organization for the training of young people in true patriotism and love of country in order that they shall be better fitted for American citizenship". A significant way to encourage "patriotism and love of country" is to support those in our military and their families who exemplify these values.
We are supporting the Fisher Houses this year so that our organizations can make Living the American Dream together a reality.
Membership
Founded in 1895, the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, is the oldest patriotic organization for youth in our country. Membership is open to descendents of patriots of the American Revolution.
Any boy or girl under the age of twenty-one is eligible for membership in the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution who is lineally descended from a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence as a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in one of the several Colonies or States, or of the United States, provided that the applicant is personally acceptable to the Society.
Meetings and activities are planned for all ages with special consideration given to younger members -- our PeeWee Patriots.
Members gain invaluable leadership experience in conducting meetings, following parliamentary procedures and standard protocol, serving as delegates and speaking before groups at local, state and national conferences. The responsibility and privilege of selecting officers helps members gain an understanding of the democratic process.
Fort Churchill Society is a proud part of the Nevada State Society Children of the American Revolution. Fort Churchill Society is sponsored by the following chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution: Battle Born Chapter, John C. Fremont Chapter and Nevada Sagebrush Chapter.
For more information on how you can join Fort Churchill Society, contact Senior President Stacy Woodbury.
This site last updated on January 22, 2012.
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