The Saint Charles Chapter members are dedicated to promoting Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. Below are activities listed in these three main NSDAR areas our members work to honor our heritage and make a difference in our community.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
From memorials commemorating U.S. veterans to restorations of historically cultural sites, our chapter supports historic preservation.
RECENT PROJECTS
America 250! Marker Ceremony in Cottleville, June 2026
The Saint Charles Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the City of Cottleville unveiled a new America 250! marker honoring Revolutionary War patriots Warren Cottle and John Pitman, who founded the town of Cottleville. The marker ceremony was held Tuesday, June 16, at Cottleville City Hall.
Cottleville’s history as a town begins with Revolutionary War Captain Warren Cottle, Sr., who obtained a plot near Dardenne River (Creek) through Spanish land grants. Together, with his sons, Warren and Ira, he began a grist mill in 1799. Lorenzo Cottle, son of Dr. Warren Cottle, Jr. and grandson of Capt. Warren Cottle, Sr., platted the town in 1839 and officially named it Cottleville after his father and grandfather. Cottleville was incorporated as a city in 1853. The new marker also recognizes early settler John Pitman. In 1810, John Pitman, also a veteran of the Revolutionary War, came to Missouri from Kentucky, settling just to the south of the Cottle family. Portions of his large estate provided two additions to the town of Cottleville. DAR’s America 250 program, honoring the semiquincentennial of America in 2026, is celebrating historic markers across the country.
Liberty Tree Planting for America250!, April 2026
Our Chapter has planted two Liberty Trees as part of the America250! Celebration. Along with the Fernando de Leyba Sons of the American Revolution Chapter, we planted two Espresso Kentucky Coffee trees, one at Borromeo Cemetery and one by the lake at the St. Charles Community College. America250! Plaque dedication ceremonies will be held at each location later this year.
Headstone Cleaning with “Girls on the Run”, April 2026
On Monday, April 20, 2026, third and fourth grade girls in the Coverdell Elementary School “Girls on the Run” program helped our chapter in cleaning headstones at Borromeo cemetery in St. Charles, Mo. The service project included the girls cleaning tombstones, picking up fallen sticks and limbs, and helping edit Find-A-Grave listings. Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Grave Marking Ceremony for Revolutionary War Patriots
St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Cemetery – September 27, 2025
The Saint Charles Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled a new grave marker honoring Revolutionary War patriots who served in the Fort San Carlos/St. Louis Militia at the Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church Cemetery. The event was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the cemetery located on West Randolph Street in St. Charles. DAR chapter members worked alongside St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church parishioners to assist in cleaning up their cemetery with careful attention on all known veterans’ headstones. Thirty-one men that were in the St. Louis/Fort San Carlos militia were honored. These men and their families sacrificed much during the Revolutionary War and were some of the first settlers in St. Charles. The Fernando de Leyba Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Nathan Futrell Chapter of the C.A.R. helped in the celebration. More than 80 people attended including MSDAR State Vice Regent Becky Osborne and other MSDAR State Chairs and Regents. St. Charles City Council President Michael Galba was the keynote speaker. The SAR posted the colors and provided a gun salute.
America 250! Celebration Historic Marker Dedication, April 27, 2025
Saint Charles DAR chapter members joined with the Caroline Close Stuart DAR chapter at Fort Zumwalt in O’Fallon, MO., for the dedication of a Pomeroy Foundation American Revolutionary Marker honoring Jacob Zumwalt and an America 250! Marker at Heald House.
EDUCATION
Our chapter supports a variety of different programs, contests and awards to educate children on the Revolutionary War, history/genealogy, and the colonial period of early America.
Recent Projects
City of O’Fallon Kids’ Day, April 2026
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, chapter members dressed in period costumes to meet with third graders at Fort Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon, Mo. We shared information with them about life during the Revolutionary War and stories of women’s heroics during the war. Students were given coloring sheets and crayons, and the teachers received books for their classrooms.
Braille Flag Presentation, February 2026
The Chapter presented a Braille U.S. flag to Prairie View Elementary School. This fully tactile colored flag depicts the current U.S. flag. It is constructed from durable Braille on paper to withstand repeated usage. The Union is raised and contains embossed tactile stars. The stripes contain texture and Braille code displaying the words to The Pledge of Allegiance.
Good Citizen Award, January 2026
The Saint Charles Chapter DAR recognized five seniors from St. Charles County area high schools with its annual Good Citizens Award at its January meeting. The students represented Fort Zumwalt North, Lutheran High School-St. Charles, Orchard Farm, St. Charles High, and St. Charles West high schools.
The DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest is intended to encourage
and reward the qualities of good citizenship. It is given annually to outstanding local high school seniors. Working with the schools, each school has the opportunity to submit one student for the recognition based on the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. The chosen student can provide an essay, which competes for a cash prize. The Saint Charles Chapter DAR awards the top three essays with the winning essay moving on to compete at the Missouri State DAR level and that winner goes to the National DAR competition providing scholarship rewards. This year’s essay topic was related to the America 250 celebration.
Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, 2025
Constitution Week displays were set up at the St. Charles City-County library at the McClay and Kisker branches.
Constitution Week proclamations were presented at the city council meetings for Cottleville, St. Charles, and St. Peters.
PATRIOTISM
Patriotism and love of our country is the bond that connects the members of DAR to participate in activities that honor our heritage.
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 2026
The Saint Charles Chapter joined forces with Fernando de Leyba Sons of the American Revolution and Nathan Futrell Society Children of the American Revolution in the City of St. Charles Fourth of July Parade. We had two floats this year. The first was filled with DAR ladies, riding and waving to the cheering crowds. The second was decorated with a cannon and hay bales that C.A.R. kids and others could sit on and wave. Some gave candy and flags to the parade attendees. Some DAR ladies chose to walk between the two trailers. Our groups were led by the SAR Color Guard, complete with drummer. Parade goers cheered Happy 250 to our group and many said they loved our period attire.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES 2026
CHAPTER PATRIOT OF THE MONTH
February 2026
Philip Joe Clithero was recognized as the Chapter’s Patriot of the Month
for his services in the U.S. Air Force.
Eugene “Gene” Joseph Leitner’s family was honored on his behave as our Purple Heart Patriot. Gene served in the Army and was wounded in action during the Korean War.
OTHER RECENT PROJECTS
Focus Marines Retreat lunch, March 2026
Chapter members served lunch at the Focus Marines retreat in March 2026. The retreat participants came from all of the U.S. and were not just Marines. The veterans appreciated the home cooked meal. Our Chapter has been proud to serve a meal at this event the last few years.