The Kewanee Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapter 5-064IL, will be hosting an open House/bake Sale on Saturday, Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at their Chapter house, located at 610 Park Ave. – across from Liberty Park. They will also have U.S. flags available for purchase along with tours of the house.
The DAR Chapter house is the oldest house in Kewanee. It was built in 1849-50 to accommodate two families by the name of Potter. It was the only house standing on the town site at the time the town of Kewanee was laid out in 1854. The house sat on a 160 acre piece of land which today would be across from Good’s Furniture and its barn sat where the Hill Church is located.
Several different families have lived in this house over the years. It was eventually sold to the Kewanee Masonic Lodge who donated it in 1903 to the recently formed Kewanee DAR Chapter. The Chapter purchased the lot where the house currently stands. Many renovations have been done to the house over the years.
The Kewanee DAR Chapter has used the house as its meeting house since 1904. They are proud to be responsible for the preservation of the first house built in Kewanee.
The Chapter members are always grateful to the community for their support in this annual fund-raiser. Monies raised are used to fund their DAR programs, projects and maintenance of the Chapter House.
The National DAR’s motto is “God, Home and Country.”
Their mission is to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.
