Contacts:

Mail:  77 Willow Avenue, North Plainfield, N.J. 07060

Holly Jean Dunbar, Vice Regent
Dorothy Ryno, Chaplain
Karen Miller, Secretary
Margaret Edythe Risberg, Treasurer
Susan Dobrinsky, Registrat
Lynda Pasko, Historian
Nancy Ryno, Librarian

Founded in 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.

Membership in the DAR is open to women 18 and over who can trace their descent from a man or woman who aided the cause of American independence.

As the most inclusive lineal society in the country, the DAR boasts 168,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally.

Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter meetings are held in the evenings on the second Monday of the month, September through December, and March through May; meeting location varies. Meetings include a program on a topic of interest. Prospective members are welcome to attend.

Locally, the DAR offers scholarships to students, sponsors contests for students in American history, hosts the Junior American Citizens division of the annual Somerset County 4-H Fair, supports our troops overseas, provides gifts for hospitalized veterans, participates in local patriotic events and more.

DAR members may also participate in a variety of state and national programs and events.

If you have an ancestor who served in the American Revolution and would like more information on joining the DAR, please contact the chapter.

HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER

Elizabeth Snyder Chapter
Organized December 19, 1925

The Elizabeth Snyder Chapter was organized on December 19, 1925 in the North Plainfield home of Mrs. Charles Banks, who at the time served as State Regent of the New Jersey Society. There were 13 members present, and Miss Samma Gertrude VanWinkle was elected Organizing Regent.

Originally know as the North Plainfield Chapter, the name Elizabeth Snyder was adopted at the request of the Registrar General. Elizabeth Snyder was born Elizabeth Mann at Schoharie, N.Y., in 1722. She was the daughter of a well-known patriot. In 1741, she married Captian Peter Snyder. In the old history of Schoharie County, N.Y., it states: “While the enemy were discharing their cannon (during the Battle of Schoharie, September 1780), Mrs. Synder exposed herself to the fire of the enemy by going to the soldiers and passing them biscuits and rum sweetened with gunpowder - as the old records say - “to divert them from fear.” Peter Snyder, her husband, was presented with a cannonball to acknowledge the bravery of his wife. It came from the rafters of the church where the Americans had been under siege. The histories also state: “Among the women at the fort whose courage was undaunted was the wife of Captain Snyder, whose assistance and encouragement were worthy to receive homage from the descendants of that noble band that none can reflect upon but with patriotic admiration.” Elizabeth Snyder’s two sons and sons-in-law also served in the Revolutionary War. (Excerpts from “History of Chapter Names of the New Jersey State Society of the DAR, 1891-1985,” Mrs Ruth DeBruin, editor.)

Throughout the years, the Chapter actively supported DAR objectives through community service. This service includes the sponsorship of Native American students, students at DAR schools and local youth organizations. The Chapter supported the DAR occupational therapy program at Ellis Island, and more recently the restoration work and sponsorship of a DAR room in the Museum there.

The Chapter remained active in community activities to mark patriotic events and milestones, has supported our troops in times of war, and recognized many individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.

Continental Chapter
Organized January 23, 1896

Continental Chapter was organized on January 23, 1896 as the 14th DAR chapter in New Jersey. Mrs. J. Kirkland Myers served as Organizing Regent.

The chapter is named for “These three regiments, who constituted New Jersey’s enlistments to the heroic Continental Army, whose sacrifices, hardships and consecration to the cause of Liberty no pen has ever described.”

In 1912, the Chapter had a marker placed at Washington Rock State Park, with a tablet that reads: “From this rock Gen. George Washington watched the movements of the British forces during the anxious months of May and June 1777.”

In 1936, the Chapter placed a granite boulder with a plaque in Greenbrook Park in Plainfield to mark the site of the Outpost Camp that guarded Washington and his troops at Morristown in the winter of 1777.

Continental Chapter continued its mission to mark and preserve local sites of  historical interest. The Chapter supported the preservation of the Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, and at one time provided furnishings for the second floor of this historic home that was built along the York Road in 1745 by Isaac Drake for his son, Nathaniel. George Washington met his officers there during and after the Battle of the Watchungs, fought in the Plainfield area, June 25-27, 1777. (Excerpts from “History of Chapter Names of the New Jersey State Society of the DAR, 1891-1985,” Mrs Ruth DeBruin, editor.)

Mrs. Charles Banks, a member of Continental Chapter, served as New Jersey State Regent 1923-1926. During that time, she helped to organize Elizabeth Snyder Chapter. Mrs. Banks went on to serve the National Society as Vice President General 1926-1929.

On July 2, 2002, Elizabeth Snyder Chapter, based in Dunellen, and Continental Chapter, based in Plainfield, merged to form Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter. On February 5, 2005, the official location of the chapter was changed to Green Brook. Current members reside in North Plainfield, Green Brook, Dunellen, Warren, South Plainfield and Long Hill Township.

220 Somerset St., North Plainfield

Contacts:

Ted Blum 4-H Center of Somerset County

4-H allows young people to explore a wide variety of interests while building life skills: leadership abilities, public speaking, getting along with others and community service.

WHO CAN JOIN? The 4-H Program is available to any child grades 1-13 (one year out of high school); the 4-H Prep Program is specifically designed for children grades 1-3.

4-H IN SOMERSET COUNTY There are currently more than 1,200 4-H club members in Somerset County and 70 4-H clubs. The 4-H Youth Development Program reaches more than 7,000 young people annually through membership in 4-H and 4-H prep clubs, after-school and school enrichment program and special interest activities.

PROJECT AREAS Somerset County 4-H clubs cover a wide range of project areas, including: horse and pony, space and astronomy, science, dogs, cats, model airplanes, dairy and beef cattle, archery, nature, arts and crafts, food, clothing construction, Seeing Eye puppy, herpetology, sheep, performing arts, alpacas, goats, rabbits/cavies and rodents, pet therapy, go karts, rocketry, Chinese culture, remote-controlled cars, poultry, twirling and more. 4-H clubs in new project areas may be started with the help of adult volunteers.

4-H ACTIVITIES The annual 4-H Fair, held during a three-day period each August at North Branch Park in Bridgewater, provides a showcase for 4-H members to demonstrate the skills they have learned during the past year. In addition, 4-H club members have the opportunity to participate in a variety of county, state, national and international 4-H activities and projects.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension of Somerset County, an off-campus division of Rutgers University.