PAOLI, PA — The Jeptha Abbott and Great Valley Chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) unveiled a DAR “America 250! Patriots Marker” on March 26 at 11 a.m. at Historic Waynesborough, the house museum of General Anthony Wayne, 2049 Waynesborough Road, Paoli, PA.
July 4, 2026, is the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. In anticipation of this, Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and orchestrate “America250”— whose goal is to lead the nation in commemorating our country’s founding. The DAR is an official partner with America250. The agreement outlines several initiatives developed by the DAR to honor Revolutionary War patriots, engage youth through contests and educational programming, and support efforts to tell the story of underrepresented and diverse patriots who helped to win the American War of Independence.
As part of this partnership, the DAR established its “America 250! Committee” to collaborate with our nation and state’s “America250” and “America250PA” celebrations. The DAR “Revolutionary Patriots Marker” program honors the memory of the men and women who secured American independence through their service and sacrifice during the Revolutionary War. The program also raises appreciation amongst current and future generations of Americans for our Patriots’ sacrifices.
United States Semiquincentennial Commission member Lynn Forney Young who is also a national Honorary President General of the DAR, led the marker ceremony at Historic Waynesborough. Also participating were Pennsylvania DAR State Regent Marguerite Fritsch, Jeptha Abbott DAR Regent Teri Fischer, Great Valley DAR Regent Lynn O’Brien, President of Friends of Historic Waynesborough Michelle Bradley, and Kayla Anthony, Executive Director, The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks). In addition, several of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution Color Guard attended the event with their DAR wives.
“We are grateful for the Anthony Wayne Foundation, Friends of Historic Waynesborough, and PhilaLandmarks for its ongoing preservation of this historic place,” said United States Semiquincentennial Commission member Lynn Forney Young. “And we applaud Great Valley and Jeptha Abbott DAR for placing a 250 Patriot Marker on its grounds – a marker that is part of a coast-to-coast trail memorializing the men and women who achieved American independence.”
The DAR’s goal is to place at least one marker in every state in advance – and in celebration – of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. With the addition of Historic Waynesborough, there are eight markers in Pennsylvania thus far. Washington Crossing Historic Park, Bucks County, PA; General Richard Butler Home, Butler, PA; Paoli Battlefield, Malvern, PA; Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, PA; Courthouse Square, Scranton, PA; Old Eagle School Cemetery, Wayne, PA; and the Colonial Courthouse, York, PA; already have markers.
“We are exceptionally pleased to honor the courage and achievements of General Anthony Wayne during the American Revolution,’ said Pennsylvania DAR State Regent Marguerite Fritsch. “And we commend the organizations partnering together to educate the community about his important work.”
Immediately following the dedication, visitors were able to explore Historic Waynesborough. Historic Waynesborough is most famously known as the home and birthplace of Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne (1745-1796), who was born on the property in 1745. In 1777, General Anthony Wayne fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown before being encamped at Valley Forge, a mere five miles from Waynesborough. General Wayne’s most brilliant war exploit was successfully storming the British fort at Stony Point, New York (July 16, 1779). This feat gave a massive boost in morale to the American armies. Wayne earned the name “Mad Anthony” because of his tactical boldness and personal courage in the field. In 1792, Wayne was promoted to first Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, a position he held until his death in 1796. In addition, he served as a delegate to the state convention that ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. At the end of his career and life, General Wayne was appointed by President George Washington to lead a campaign of western expansion into the Ohio Territory. Wayne’s victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 was the final battle in the Northwest Indian War that led to a century of settler colonialism on behalf of the United States Government.
Easttown Township has owned the sixteen-acre property and historic house since 1980 and leases the buildings to PhilaLandmarks, the organization that has been administering, preserving, and supporting Historic Waynesborough since 1980. The Anthony Wayne Foundation, established in 1985, has helped furnish Waynesborough and returned many original Wayne family objects from descendants. The Friends of Historic Waynesborough have been raising money to support many projects there since 1999. For more information on Historic Waynesborough, go to https://www.philalandmarks.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and the world. In addition, DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. Go to www.dar.org. For additional information on the America 250 Marker Dedication program, visit https://www.dar.org/national-society/america-250. To learn more about DAR membership, visit Jeptha Abbott DAR or Great Valley DAR.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.