"Magnificent Valor the Beginnings of Freedom"

National Theme: Magnificent Valor the Beginnings of Freedom

National Project: The Repair and Restoration of the Great Essentials Exhibit Case

In the summer of 1776, the representatives of the 13 colonies met in the State House in Philadelphia. The question before them that afternoon was the resolution stating, “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states; …” With 12 ayes and 1 abstention, the resolution was adopted. This was The Beginnings of Freedom which changed the world forever. Twice more men met in that same State House, now known as Independence Hall, to take the expressions of Freedom given in 1776 and turn them into the very building blocks of our nation. The Declaration of Independence gave birth to the Articles of Confederation, which in turn became the foundation of the Constitution of the United States. Each gave us the Freedoms for which our patriot ancestors fought and died.

In the West Wing of Independence Hall is housed the Great Essentials Exhibit. Literally, in the room next to where they were crafted, lay the Declaration of Independence printed in 1776, the Articles of Confederation printed circa 1780, the Constitution of the United States printed in 1787, and the silver inkstand used to sign the Declaration and Constitution. The Great Essentials Exhibit is contained in a display case that is uniquely designed to preserve and protect these historic documents and inkstand. After 10 years of continuous operation, the Great Essentials Exhibit requires an upgrade. Among the repairs planned are to replace all illuminator boxes in the fiber-optic lighting system, clean fire detection and security alarm heads while replacing any worn connections, redesign and replace the display case infrastructure to adequately support the document containers, repair damaged finish on case exterior, replace case-opening mechanism to eliminate sticking of case lid, and replace case lid with new glazing.

The repairs and restoration of the Great Essentials Exhibit case will ensure that these documents continue to be available to all Americans and visitors who will experience a direct connection to our past through viewing the original documents of this momentous time in our nation’s founding. N.S.C.A.R. will honor these men for their patriotism, their foresight, and their Magnificent Valor.

Benjamin A. Hinckley, National President

THE CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION...now in a second century of keeping patriotism alive.

OUR HISTORY.......

“I think you will agree with me that the hope of this country is with her youth … Into their hands will be laid the important trusts, weighty responsibilities, the affairs of government, the whole executive and moral forces that make or mar the country.” Harriett Lothrop on April 5, 1895.
Harriet Lothrop, a prominent citizen and 19th-century children’s author of Concord, Massachusetts, presented the idea for a children’s organization to the Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress in 1895. C.A.R. then was chartered by the United States congress. Organized for the training of young people in true patriotism and love of country, C.A.R. has promoted this vision to thousands of members. Now in a second century of keeping patriotism alive, these boys and girls are the leaders of yesterday, today and tomorrow.