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Local Woman Reaches Milestone In Service Organization

photo by Michelle Sullivan Eastman DAR Regent Joy Minns awards Lois Huizenga-Higbee for her 40 years of membership and service in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and her work at the local and state level.

Tuesday January 5, 2016

By Cookie Steponaitis

Lois Huizenga-Higbee simply loves history. It intrigues her, challenges her and makes her curious to learn more. It is also a jumping off point in pursuing family history, genealogy and showing America’s past history.
    It was October 1975 when that passion for history drew Lois to a meeting of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890 and promotes historic preservation, education and patriotism, serving as a link for Americans searching for their family story. The DAR is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year marking the event with honors to members who have stayed the course and added to the depth and diversity of programs offered to people around the nation.
    Seth Warner- Rhoda Farrand Chapter of the DAR President Joy Minns presented Huizenga-Higbee her certificate of merit, paid tribute and noted her involvement over time and her leadership roles as Regent of the chapter and State Vice-Regent. Huizenga-Higbee has also served as the curator of the DAR John Strong Museum in Addison, Vermont and helped foster programs for locals, school groups and visitors alike. When asked what kept it fresh and exciting, Huizenga-Higbee remarked, “I am always learning something new and working with different people to learn more about our history. Besides, one intriguing fact about the DAR that most people do not know is that it is the only women’s group that actually owns one square block in Washington, D.C. and the DAR genealogical library is one of the largest in the nation. History never gets old. There is always something new to learn.”
    In addition to the local efforts of the DAR chapter the organization on a national level leads by example in the area of historic preservation. The DAR has contributed more than $ 500,000 toward the construction of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. They also commissioned permanent art works to adorn the walls and ceilings of the capital building in a project titled, “ A Bicentennial Tribute to the United States of America, and to celebrate the spirit of the pioneer women created trail markers at different sites including the Santa Fe Trail, the Natchez trace, the California Trail, the Washington –Rochambeau Route and the Oregon Trail. Annually, thousands of Americans access the genealogical library of the DAR and receive help tracing with own heritage back into America’s past.

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