Sons of the American Revolution

The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), formally the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), is a federally chartered, lineage‑based membership organization for men who can document direct descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Founded in 1889 at Fraunces Tavern in New York City, the Society promotes the study and interpretation of the Revolutionary era, supports educational and civic programs related to American independence, and encourages public engagement with the nation’s founding principles. Membership is open to individuals who can demonstrate lineal descent from persons who rendered military, civil, or recognized patriotic service in support of the Revolution, and the organization operates through a national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, along with state societies and local chapters across the United States and abroad.

The SAR traces part of its institutional heritage to the Sons of Revolutionary Sires, a California lineage organization founded in 1876 during the Centennial celebrations of American independence. Its national formation in 1889 emerged from organizational disagreements with the earlier Sons of the Revolution (SR), whose structure required state societies to remain subordinate to the New York Society. William Osborne McDowell, a New Jersey civic leader, organized the SAR as an independent national body and later assisted in founding the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), establishing parallel hereditary societies for men and women descended from Revolutionary patriots.

The Society sponsors youth scholarship contests, awards for public service and civic achievement, historical commemorations, genealogical research initiatives, and partnerships with educational and veterans organizations. Its efforts contributed to the establishment of national observances such as Constitution Day, Flag Day, and Bill of Rights Day. The SAR maintains state‑level societies across the United States and international societies in Europe and other regions.

The National Society operates the SAR Genealogical Research Library and is developing the SAR Education Center and Museum, which houses a collection of Revolutionary‑era artifacts at its Louisville headquarters. It publishes the quarterly SAR Magazine, annual proceedings of its National Congress, and historical yearbooks documenting its membership and activities. The Society received its federal charter on June 9, 1906, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was himself a member.