Cincinnati SAR President and First Lady John and Laura Bredenfoerder; Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard Commander Turner Lee Wilkerson III; and Compatriots: Robert Bowers, Rev. Ralph Edgar Bonniwell, Clayton Crandall, and J. Bradley Jarard attended the gala 125th Cincinnati DAR anniversary celebration held at the lovely Cincinnati Woman’s Club on LaFayette Avenue in Clifton on Saturday, April 14th.
The ladies of the Cincinnati DAR created a very elegant and historically accurate event to honor this milestone for their chapter. The event began with Commander Wilkerson and the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard presenting the National and Ohio Colors. Cincinnati DAR Regent Gretchen Wilson led the assembly in the Pledge Allegiance. The assembly sang “America” and the chapter then followed the DAR Ritual as it was done in 1893. After a gracious acknowledgement of the distinguished guests, Regent Wilson invited a troop of Cincinnati DAR ladies to the stage to reenact the first two meetings of the Cincinnati DAR that originally took place 125 years ago. The ladies were well attired in the dress of the 1890s. One of the items on the agenda of the chapter’s second meeting was to recruit Cincinnati men to form a Cincinnati SAR Chapter. The original founders of the Cincinnati DAR were evidently successful in their efforts because this Cincinnati SAR was founded three years later in 1896!
After the reenactment, we were treated to a historical photo essay of how the City of Cincinnati appeared in the early 1890s. That was followed by an 1890s dance demonstration by the Forget-Me-Not Historical Dancers. The dancers were well attired in the dress of the 1890s. It almost seemed like our old family photographs had come to life!
The formal program was concluded by the retiring of the Colors by the Nolan Caron Memorial Color Guard and then the assembly retired to the Woman’s Club Tea Room for a luncheon similar to what may have been served in 1893. Grace was offered by the DAR Chaplain and Regent Wilson invited President Bredenfoerder to the podium to deliver a proclamation from Ohio Society President Donald C. McGraw, Jr.
Enthusiastic and patriotic inspired conversation was exchanged between all the attendees. President and First Lady Bredenfoerder were very honored to be seated with Regent Wilson and the officers of the Cincinnati C.A.R. There were so many interesting and historical exchanges and many personal cards were exchanged. The event was indeed a success and we thank the Cincinnati DAR for inviting us to be a part of their very important milestone celebration!
