Welcome
NSDAR Mission Statement
The mission of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.
The name Signal Hill Chapter was suggested to our organizing members by the Barrington Area Historical Society. Signal Hill is a high point of land north of Route 22 and west of Route 59, located in North Barrington. The early tribes of native people living in the area are thought to have sent their signals from Signal Hill.
Our History
2022 - 50 Years of Signal Hill Chapter
In 2022 Signal Hill celebrated our 50th Anniversary. Signal Hill created this clear and engaging overview of the history of our Chapter, what we do as Daughters of the American Revolution, and some of our very chapter-specific philanthropic activities. You'll see why we are proud to be members of the Signal Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
History of Signal Hill Chapter NSDAR
Signal Hill Chapter was organized April 15, 1972. Organizing Regent Cammie Lois Peterson presided over the 17-member organizing luncheon held June 2, 1972, at the Barrington Hills Country Club.
1972-1979: The activities of the chapter’s first decade included sponsoring Constitution Week observances, donating the 25 genealogy books to the Barrington Area Library. A Bicentennial Flag was presented to the Barrington Bicentennial Commission.
1980-1989: The Chapter experienced a dramatic increase in membership and celebrated the Constitution’s Bicentennial.
1990-1999: Signal Hill member received the 1991 National Conservation Medal. Honorary Past Regent DeYoung received local, state and national acclaim for her artwork, and was published in the 1991 and 1992 November issues of the DAR magazine. Signal Hill’s 1992 American History Essay winner won the national award.
2000-2009: A U.S. flag and Illinois State flag, with poles and bases, were donated to the Barrington Area Library. Signal Hill’s 2007 DAR Good Citizen winner won the National DAR Good Citizen award.
2010-2020: In 2010, Signal Hill held its first Afternoon Tea opened to the public. The tea included a program presented by a professional. The first tea program was “Courting Danger” performed by Carolyn Stein Stillman from an autobiography of Alice Marble, a spy for the U.S. Government during World War II. This has become a tradition and the primary fund raiser of the chapter to present day. The Chapter dedicated an Accolade Elm Tree to the Barrington Historical Society. We challenged local students with an American History Essay contest and Good Citizen Awards for High School Seniors. The student winners at the chapter have gone on to win state in 2011. In 2012 we celebrated our fortieth anniversary where members enacted a member-written play about the National Society’s First Chapter which was founded in Chicago. The play received state and national recognition as Best Commemorative Event in 2013 and was performed at State Conference. Signal Hill applied for a national medal for Historic Preservation which was granted and presented to a local resident in 2015. That year also brought a National Award for Literary Promotion for outstanding service to a Signal Hill member. The Chapter became a member of the Vietnam Commemorative Partnership and continues its membership hosting a minimum of two events annually to honor these veterans. During this decade, many books have been published by our members and accepted into the Illinois and National Societies libraries. We also expanded our support of schools with programs like Blessings in a backpack and bringing snacks to schools for their pantries. We became friends of the environment volunteering and donating to conservation efforts. In 2018, the Chapter honored our veterans by sponsoring Evergreen Cemetery in the Wreaths Across America by laying 342 wreaths on Veterans graves.
2020-Present
Signal Hill prides itself on raising the bar for our projects during the pandemic. We continued with our Afternoon Tea program virtually. Our board and chapter meetings were held via zoom. We brought baskets of snacks to our first responders. We made Halloween Baskets for the children at Lurie Hospital in Chicago. Our largest endeavor was Wreaths Across America and the continued sponsorship of Evergreen Cemetery where in 2020 we place 672 wreaths. On July 3rd 2021, we were able to sponsor a float in the 4th of July Parade.
Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR is blessed and thanks all 145 members for their support and camaraderie during the past 50 years of service to the community. We will continue the tradition of Education, Historic Preservation and Patriotism.