Daughters of the American Revolution

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) is a service organization open to any woman age 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from an American Revolutionary War Patriot. Much of the work of DAR is accomplished by volunteers in its chapters across the United States and internationally in order to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. 

The Turquoise Gems Chapter, NSDAR, is a local chapter of DAR. Our chapter is based in Peoria, Arizona, and our members come from many parts of the West Valley and beyond. 

Contact us to learn more about joining DAR and the Turquoise Gems Chapter, NSDAR.

Our Chapter

In keeping with the purpose of the National Society, chapter members work together on numerous projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. We all have busy lives, so our projects offer ways to contribute that fit our schedules. We keep in touch across our many service projects through monthly meetings, October through May, in the early evening. We enjoy a social time, an informative program, and a business session. Learn more about our activities.

We invite you to contact our chapter registrar who will help you get started in becoming a member of DAR, including tracing your heritage to find an American Revolutionary War Patriot.

Turquoise, Our Chapter Namesake

Turquoise is a sea-green stone that represents wisdom, tranquility, protection, good fortune and hope to ancient Anasazi people and their descendants of today, the Zuni People of New Mexico and Arizona. The Zuni introduced turquoise to southwest Native American jewelry in the late 1800s. Turquoise inlay jewelry was developed by the Zuni in the early 1900s. It is a central element in Navajo religious observances. Today, Americans automatically acquaint turquoise with our Native American Indian nations, people, and tribes and their fine sculpted turquoise and silver jewelry.

Today there are ten turquoise mines in Arizona, some of which have been mined for centuries by Native Americans. Turquoise is a copper mineral, found only immediately adjacent to copper ore deposits. The grade of the turquoise varies from mine to mine. A recently discovered mine in Kingman, Arizona, is a stunning deep dark blue with refined black thin-lined spider webbing. Because turquoise is an icon of the desert Southwest, with enduring cultural significance, especially for Native American communities, Arizona named turquoise as its official gemstone in 1974.

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Website last updated: November 20, 2024

 

Photos courtesy of chapter members and are used with permission.

 

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or individual DAR chapters.