DAR Chapter To Dedicate America 250 Plaque At Memorial Park

NEWBERG, Ore. — A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold a public dedication ceremony Saturday for a newly installed commemorative plaque at Newberg’s Memorial Park, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The plaque, part of a national DAR initiative launched in 2024, was installed on Friday at the park. It is positioned to the left of the path leading to the War Memorial near the flagpole, just outside the fenced area in the garden.

“These plaques were available for chapters to purchase and be able to place in their community, to commemorate and remember the founding of our country and those men and women who sacrificed their lives and fortunes for independence,” said Jan Burrows, regent of the Champoeg DAR chapter.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Memorial Park. Representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution are expected to attend, along with state DAR officers and chapter members.

Two historians are slated to speak at the event. George Edmonston, a local historian and writer of the longtime local history column Stories from the Grubby End, will speak on behalf of the American Legion. Board certified geneologist Connie Lenzen will speak about William Cannon, described as the only known Revolutionary War soldier buried in Oregon. Cannon is buried in St. Paul.

“I don’t think people know we have a Revolutionary War soldier buried [in Oregon],” Burrows said.

The DAR, a women’s service organization founded in 1890, requires members to document lineage to an ancestor who contributed to American independence — whether through military service, taxation, or donation of goods. The local chapter recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Burrows, who joined the DAR in April 2012 and serves as chapter regent — a role equivalent to chapter president — said the plaque project reflects the organization’s broader commitment to community service.

“We are a service organization,” she said. “We do not sit around and just have tea parties.”