Core Benefits of Active (Dues-Paying) Membership

1. Official recognition and permanent documentation of your lineage**

Your application is reviewed and approved by the National Society. Your proven line of descent from a Revolutionary War Patriot is registered and permanently archived at SAR Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. You receive an official membership certificate. This creates a lasting, verified record available to your descendants and researchers. Members can also obtain Record Copies of applications.

2. The SAR Magazine

Regular members (age 18+) receive the quarterly official magazine at no extra cost. It covers society news at all levels, historical feature articles on the Revolution and its participants, educational content, and reports on commemorations and programs.

3. Genealogical and research resources

- Free admission to the SAR Genealogical Research Library in Louisville (a major specialized collection of more than 55,000 items focused on Revolutionary War history, genealogy, and related materials). The general public pays a daily fee.

- Member access (including remote login for certain resources) to specialized databases such as Gale collections on the American Revolution and genealogy.

- Enhanced use of the Patriot Research System (PRS) and other member-only digital assets and reports.

- Opportunities to contribute biographies or help expand the PRS, with recognition available for volunteer hours.

4. Participation, voting, and leadership rights

Only regular dues-paying members may vote and hold office at chapter, state, and national levels. You can attend the Annual Congress, spring and fall Leadership Meetings in Louisville, district meetings, and join national committees (Color Guard, Education, Youth Programs, Historic Sites, Americanism, Veterans, etc.).

5. Programs, activities, and recognition.

Active members can fully participate in:

- Color Guard units (wearing period uniforms for parades, ceremonies, grave markings, and public events).

- Youth education contests and awards (essay, oration, poster, brochure, Eagle Scout, ROTC/JROTC, history teacher programs, and others that provide scholarships and medals).

- Patriot and Compatriot grave marking, historical marker projects, Speakers Bureau presentations, Flag Certificate programs, and public-service awards.

- Collaboration with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).

Members may wear the official membership badge and rosette and earn medals and awards for service.

6. Fellowship and networking

You join a community of roughly 37,000 Compatriots across all 50 states and several international societies who share documented descent from those who supported American independence. Local chapter meetings, state events, and national gatherings provide ongoing social and patriotic connections.

7. Supporting the Society’s mission

Dues fund national operations, the magazine, the library, the Education Center and Museum, historical preservation, educational outreach, and programs that promote patriotism, the founding principles of the United States, and civic engagement. The SAR is a congressionally chartered organization whose purposes include honoring Revolutionary War Patriots, educating the public (especially youth) about the Revolution and American institutions, and encouraging respect for national symbols and citizenship.

Additional Notes

Junior members (under 18) pay reduced dues and have more limited rights (no voting or magazine until age 18).

National Life Membership is available for a one-time age-based fee that exempts the member from future national annual dues (state and chapter dues usually still apply).

- Emeritus status (after 50 years of regular dues) exempts further national dues.

- Benefits are contingent on remaining in good standing through timely dues payment.

In short, paying SAR dues secures formal recognition of your Patriot ancestry, gives practical access to research tools and publications, opens doors to leadership and hands-on historical/patriotic activities, and lets you actively support the preservation and teaching of America’s founding heritage. Many members value the combination of personal family legacy work and meaningful public service. For the most current dues amounts and local details, contact a nearby chapter registrar or check sar.org.(Dues-Paying) Membership

Paying dues to the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NJSSAR) is essential for maintaining active membership and directly supporting the Society’s focused work in the state that played a uniquely central role in the American Revolution.

Membership in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is held through a state society (there are no national at-large memberships). Paying NJSSAR dues—alongside National and chapter dues—keeps a Compatriot in good standing at all three levels. This preserves the full range of national benefits (official lineage documentation and archival storage, the quarterly *SAR Magazine*, access to research resources including the Patriot Research System and SAR Genealogical Research Library, voting and leadership rights, Color Guard participation, youth programs, and fellowship) while channeling support specifically to New Jersey’s programs and historic stewardship.

NJSSAR, with its thirteen chapters and more than 750 members, carries a special historical significance: it helped launch the National Society itself. William Osborn McDowell of New Jersey organized the New Jersey Society in 1889 and became SAR Member Number 1 when the National Society was formed that same year. Dues sustain the state society’s ability to honor Patriot ancestors, promote patriotism and the Constitution, educate youth, and serve communities—exactly as outlined in its mission.

Why NJSSAR Dues Matter in Practice

- They fund state-level Color Guard operations, commemorative events, youth contests and awards, teacher grants (such as the Reverend John Witherspoon American History Teacher Grant), and public education about New Jersey’s Revolutionary heritage.

- They enable dual membership opportunities for Compatriots whose ancestors lived, fought, or died in New Jersey, allowing them to stay connected to local activities even if their primary membership is elsewhere.

- Active dues-paying status grants the right to vote on state matters, hold leadership positions, and fully participate in chapter and state initiatives that would otherwise lack resources.

- Without consistent dues support, the capacity for grave markings, site ceremonies, classroom outreach, and large-scale commemorations diminishes.

Members of NJSSAR as Stewards of Historic Sites and the Legacy of the “Crossroads of the Revolution”

New Jersey is widely known as the **Crossroads of the Revolution** because more military engagements (hundreds of battles and skirmishes) occurred here than in any other colony or state. George Washington spent more time in New Jersey than anywhere else during the war. Key turning-point events include the Christmas 1776 Crossing of the Delaware and the subsequent victories at Trenton and Princeton (the “Ten Crucial Days”), the Battle of Monmouth, the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms, the Battle of Bound Brook, the Morristown and Middlebrook winter encampments, privateering along the coast, and countless smaller actions that kept the Continental Army alive and the British off-balance. A large portion of the state falls within the federally designated Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, which works to conserve, interpret, and promote these landscapes and stories.

NJSSAR members serve as active stewards of this legacy in concrete ways:

Color Guard presence and commemorations. Members in period uniforms post and retire colors, participate in reenactments, and lead or support wreath-layings and ceremonies at sites such as Washington Crossing, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth Battlefield, Springfield, Bound Brook, and others. These public events keep the memory of specific battles and the broader “Crossroads” narrative alive for local communities and visitors.

Patriot grave markings and cemetery work: Compatriots locate, mark, and dedicate graves of Revolutionary War Patriots across New Jersey (examples include ceremonies at historic cemeteries in Springfield, Scotch Plains, Old Tennent, and many others). They also support cleanups and the placement of interpretive signs, ensuring that the resting places of those who fought or aided the cause remain visible and honored.

Historic site support and preservation. Members contribute to monument restorations (such as the Caldwell Monument), Liberty Tree dedications, and partnerships that enhance visitor readiness and interpretation of Revolutionary-era sites. They collaborate with organizations connected to the Crossroads National Heritage Area and with DAR chapters on shared projects.

Education and public outreach: Through Speakers Bureau presentations, classroom visits with living-history interpreters and replica artifacts, youth contests, and teacher grants, members teach the distinctive New Jersey story of the Revolution—its geography, civilian experiences, mixed loyalties, and decisive military actions—to students and the public. This educational work directly perpetuates the founding principles and the state’s pivotal contribution.

America 250 and ongoing commemorative leadership. As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of independence, NJSSAR organizes and participates in major events (including Washington Crossing and Ten Crucial Days commemorations) that highlight New Jersey’s role. These efforts reinforce community pride, civic engagement, and long-term stewardship of the physical and intangible heritage.

In short, NJSSAR dues transform personal ancestral connection into collective responsibility. By remaining dues-paying members, Compatriots fund and participate in the practical work of protecting battlefields, graves, monuments, and stories that define New Jersey as the Crossroads of the Revolution. They ensure that the sacrifices made on New Jersey soil continue to educate, inspire patriotism, and transmit the founding ideals to future generations—exactly the stewardship role the Society was created to fulfill.

Abraham Clark was founded in 1922. This chapter meets in the Abraham Clark House in Roselle, NJ. This house is a reproduction of Abraham Clark's original farmhouse and is located on the site of his farm. Abraham Clark was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Founded in 1889, this is the first chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Founded in 1921 for Passaic and Bergen counties.

Founded in 1957 for Warren and Sussex counties.

Founded in 1928 for Essex, Bergen, and Hudson counties.

Founded in 1914 in Morris, Northern Hunterdon, and Somerset counties.

Founded in 1913, this chapter includes most of Monmouth County.

For Northern Ocean and Burlington counties.

Founded in 1963, the Princeton Cranbury Chapter is the steward of Washington Landing and the battlefield sites at Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. Princeton Cranbury Chapter includes Mercer, Western Monmouth, and the southernmost towns in Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex counties.

Founded in 1927 in Northwest Middlesex County.

Founded in 1943, Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May, and Southern Ocean counties.

Founded in 1922 in Southern Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland counties.

Founded in 1921, Union, Northeast Middlesex, and Northern Somerset counties.

An Associate may be age 18 or older who supports the SAR Mission, or wishes to participate in the New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution (the "Society" herein) Chapter and State meetings and activities, and is interested in the objectives of the Society.

Associate dues to the Society typically consist of the State dues ($80) plus dues of the Chapter to which he belongs. An Associate may apply to a Chapter of his preference; if no preference is made, the Associate will be assigned to the Elizabethtown Chapter. Associate members can make donations to the State and Local Chapters.  An Associate will be assigned a Society Associate number. Associate Membership in the New Jersey Society, SAR, is specific to the Society. You do not need to be a resident of New Jersey.

Fine Print: The National Society does not recognize New Jersey Associate Membership. An Associate cannot hold, be elected an officer, or be appointed as a Committee Chairman of the Society at the State or Chapter Level. An Associate may participate or be a member of the State or Chapter committees. An Associate will not vote at either the State or Chapter level. An Associate Member will be required to complete an Associate application as determined by the Society.

The mission of the SAR Youth Programs is to educate and inspire future generations about the founding principles of the United States, while promoting patriotism, civic responsibility, and a deeper appreciation of the American Revolution and its legacy.

This work directly supports the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution’s overall mission:

“The Sons of the American Revolution honors our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our Country.”

A key emphasis within that mission is “Shaping Young Minds” — educating youth about the Constitution and the individuals who developed American ideals and traditions.

How the Youth Programs Fulfill This Mission

SAR Youth Programs (also coordinated through the Council of Youth Programs and the Education Committee) achieve these goals through a range of contests, scholarships, awards, and outreach activities at the chapter, state, and national levels. These include:

Elementary School Poster Contest(typically grades 3–5

Middle School Brochure Contest (Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial)

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest (high school)

Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest (high school)

Youth Video Contest

Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship

ROTC/JROTC Cadet Recognition and awards

- Support for the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.)

- American History Teacher awards and educational resources

These initiatives are designed to:

- Stimulate interest in American history, especially the Revolutionary War era, key documents, events, and personalities.

- Develop character, critical thinking, confidence, public speaking, research, and creative skills.

- Foster true patriotism, civic responsibility, and respect for national symbols and institutions of freedom.

- Perpetuate the stories of the courage, sacrifice, and principles of the Patriots who secured independence.

- Recognize and encourage outstanding young leaders so they carry forward the values of liberty and citizenship.

- Provide educators with resources, recognition, and curriculum support to teach this history effectively.

In essence, the SAR Youth Programs serve as the Society’s primary vehicle for transmitting the memory and ideals of the American Revolution to the next generation, ensuring that the founding principles remain relevant, understood, and valued.