Sons, Daughters of the American Revolution present living history at Beale Memorial
The woman who volunteered Saturday to demonstrate women’s fashion during the time of the American Revolution looked increasingly uncomfortable the more authentic she got.
First came a corset-like support that substituted for a brassiere in the late 18th century. Then volunteer Pam Munday was asked to try on farthingales, one on each hip, that were used like pockets for keeping household items close at hand. On top of it all would be worn a large dress — the bigger the better.
“The more material that you had in your dress showed the wealth of your husband,” said Mary Ann Claxton, a local member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who took part Saturday in a presentation at Beale Memorial Library’s Local History Room.
The demonstration was part-history lesson, part-recruitment event for a trio of organizations that, for more than 100 years, have worked to instill patriotism and teach people about the defining military conflict at the birth of the United States.
What made the event
something of a fascination for the small crowd gathered in the room was the period dress. Claxton had donned the outfit of a farmer’s wife, while two men from the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution wore high-ranking military uniforms resplendent with metal buttons and red, white and blue fabric.
One of the men, Arnold “Arnie” Burr, explained how he gives lessons to local schoolchildren about daily life during the time of the revolution. He displayed
and described items such as his saber and a flintlock carried into the library by a fellow Son of the American Revolution.
Burr also played a video produced by the local chapter that showed off other historical items, including a candle mold, lead utensils and powder horn. Other videos focused on aspects such as revolution-era currency.
The organization was founded in 1890, though as Burr noted, it grew out of an earlier event in San Francisco
marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Locally, the group attends parades, annual celebrations and veteran-related dedications.
The Daughters of the American Revolution formed separately in 1920 after women were banned from membership in the men’s organization. It, too, limits membership to people who can prove their
ancestors helped the American cause during the war.
A third organization, Children of the American Revolution, was also formed that year. Its primary goal was to foster patriotism in youth.
Anyone under 22 years old is eligible for membership “who is lineally descended from a man or woman who with unfailing loyalty rendered material aid to the cause of American
independence.” These days it is focused on scholarships, essay contests and philanthropy.
During a question-and-answer session following Saturday’s presentations, Burr was asked about his “costume,” which he quickly responded was no such thing. It was, in fact, a replica uniform.
“You get a costume for $100,” he said. “Uniforms cost $1,000.”