Daughters of the American Revolution chapter moves to Greenfield

By MARY BYRNE

Staff Writer

Published: 03-26-2023 1:09 PM

GREENFIELD — After about 30 years without a local chapter, the Daughters of the American Revolution has returned to Greenfield.

According to Regent Kathy Maleno of Greenfield, the Contentment Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) officially relocated to the city last month.

“I started out as a member of the Dorothy Quincy Hancock Chapter in Greenfield,” Maleno recalled. “In about 1992, they disbanded. I relocated to the Betty Allen Chapter [in Northampton], but then this opportunity came up to move the Contentment Chapter to Greenfield.”

The Contentment Chapter, which was previously located in Dedham, was named for the feeling of “contentment” early colonists found in their settlement in the town now known as Dedham, according to the Massachusetts State Society: Daughters of the American Revolution. Maleno was asked to spearhead the move.

As its first event in Franklin County, the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a free genealogy workshop on Saturday, April 1, at the Episcopal Church of Saint James and Andrew on Church Street. An introductory workshop will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by half-hour appointments with a genealogist until 4:30 p.m. These appointments are also free.

“The DAR is very involved with genealogy,” Maleno said, noting the organization has one of the largest genealogy libraries in the United States. “We have some very strong training programs … so it’s an accurate representation of a person’s lineage.”

In addition to genealogy, Maleno noted the Betty Allen Chapter in Northampton has been involved in local school systems, including donating items to the Mary Lyon Foundation in Buckland, and taking up collections for items needed by area veterans.

“The DAR is a service-oriented organization,” she said. “In George Washington’s final speech to the Continental Army, he identified three objects that we, as a country, should be working toward: historic preservation, education and patriotism. Those three objects have become the pillars of what DAR does.”

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Looking forward, the Daughters of the American Revolution hopes to help preserve the headstones of Revolutionary War soldiers buried at the High Street Cemetery on the corner of High and Silver streets.

With nine members to start, all of whom transferred from the Northampton chapter, Maleno said the Contentment Chapter is welcoming new members.

“I wanted to do something that would help my community have a broader reach into the country, and DAR does that,” Maleno said, recalling her original motive for joining. “We’re a service organization; we’re not a political organization at all.”

Membership is open to females over 18 years old who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. More information can be requested via email at regent.contentment.chapter@gmail.com. Appointments with a genealogist can also be requested through this email.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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