Historical Preservation
An Old Florida Christmas held at the Manatee Village Historical Park 2023
Palmetto Historical Christmas 2022
Manatee Chapter DAR members
American Indian Heritage Month
Constitution Week
Our Chapter Treasurer set up a display at Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School. She also created a “roving display” that can be seen by each of the classrooms. 
Burial Grounds Cleanup
A Chapter member and her husband recently spent time cleaning up this aging tombstone.
Cleaning headstones
National Historic Preservation Recognition Award Presentation
Manatee DAR Historic Preservation Chair
Celebrating Manatee History with local authors
Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty co-authored the book Miguel’s Bay. Donoho’s great-great grandfather Miguel Guerrero, was born in Spain in 1817. The book details how Guerrero established a fishing rancho on Terra Ceia, shipped fish to Cuba, and later married the niece of Madame Joe Atzelroth.
John McDonald is the son and grandson of fishermen, and is a docent at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez. McDonald presented historic photos of Cortez, including the village’s original fishing boats- sailboats known as skipjacks which were propelled by poles.
J.B. Crawford, author of several books including Cortez Village and several children’s books about Cortez, spoke about moving to Cortez in 1946. His books strive to preserve the fast-disappearing craft of commercial fishing. J.B. described delivering live shrimp to local bait and tackle shops and fishing for grouper, stone crab and mullet. “Cortez has faced many challenges, he said, first to survive, then to succeed. The 1918 flu epidemic devastated the village, followed in 1921 by a hurricane that destroyed the entire waterfront and blew down the Cortez bridge. Two World Wars took several fisherman from Cortez, some permanently. Then in 1995 the state banned the use of gill nets, forcing Cortezians to find other ways to fish, primarily cast nets. Cortez always succeeded.”
Manatee Chapter in the News!
Cemetery Cleanup – Manatee Burying Grounds
DAR members spent a few hours cleaning at the Manatee Burying Grounds.
November – Native American Month
Manatee Chapter members participated in a guided tour of the Bishop Museum to learn more about the Tocobaga Indian tribe located here in Tampa Bay.
Manatee DAR Chapter members
We thoroughly enjoyed hearing more about our namesakes, manatees Doscal and Felicia. Once their rehabilitation is completed they will be released back into the wild.
Manatee Historical Village
Through our close partnership with the Manatee Historical Village we have worked to repair the steeple of the old church.
Additionally, we have participated in several of their programs including “Her Story: Women in History and Spirit Voices“.
The 1850 Manatee Village Burying Grounds is undergoing a major clean-up of the headstones.
Several members have been trained on the proper techniques and are working with the county to ensure these grave markers will remain forever. 
Old Florida Christmas
We participate in the annual Old Florida Christmas, sharing information about DAR as well as providing colonial toys & holiday decorations for sale. Proceeds benefit our student awards –JOTC, DAR Good Citizens (high school level) and the American History Essay contest for elementary and middle schools.
Genealogy Workshops
Beginning in 2014, our chapter has hosted a yearly Genealogy Workshop for women interested in joining the DAR.
The workshop provides information about DAR, general genealogical tips and, with the help of participants’ lineage, identifies a Revolutionary War patriot.
Constitution Week Luncheon
Our Chapter hosted the luncheon themed,
“Our U.S. Constitution – The Words We Live By”
Saraman SAR Color Guard
Manatee Chapter honors Dr. Gail Kettlewell
Women in American History Award 2017
Chapter Genealogy Workship
Saramana SAR asked to join us for our third annual Genealogy Workshop. Finding new members is vital for both Saramana SAR and Manatee Chapter DAR. Saramana SAR and Manatee Chapter presented each attendee a packet with his/her identified Patriot, worksheets, reference materials along with the presentation so they could follow along with the program. Manatee Chapter Officers and members interacted with attendees addressing questions and giving encouragement.
DAR members were presenters in the Genealogy Workshop
Woman In History Award Winners
Cathy Slusser, Director of Historical Resources for the Clerk of the Court, Manatee County, was presented with the Women in History Award for her continuing excellence in preserving and promoting 
the vast historical resources of the county.
Overseeing the Historical Records Library, Manatee Historical Village Park, Florida Maritime Museum, The Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee Agricultural Museum is only part of her job.
She is the author of the trilogy, From a Heavenly Land, based on the Atzeroth family of Terra Ceia.
Manatee Chapter Daughter, Carol Chamberlin (deceased) was awarded a Woman In history Award for her dedicated service to the Guardian ad Litem program and her support of Children’s Services of Manatee County.
Constitution Week Celebration Luncheon- 2013
Manatee Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) hosted the annual Constitution Week Luncheon at the Bradenton Yacht Club on Saturday, September 14, 2013. Attendees were members/guests of the five NSDAR chapters located in Sarasota and Manatee counties including: Allapatah, Myakka, Osceola, Sara De Soto and Manatee and the Saramana Sons of the American Revolution Chapter (SAR). Setting the tone for the day, the Saramana SAR Color Guard posted the colors followed by the Pledge of Allegiance along with a robust singing of the Star Spangled Banner. One of the highlights of the day was the vocal performance by Margaret Smelser singing “The American Anthem”. As anticipated, there were few dry eyes in the room! We were honored to have our own Manatee Chapter daughter introduce her son, County Commissioner Michael Gallen as our guest speaker. Having taught government at Lakewood Ranch High School and an attorney, Michael presented a very interesting overview of the origin of our Bill of Rights and the evolution of our Constitution as a living and breathing document. He provided clarity and insight into why the 14th Amendment is critical to the freedoms we as citizens are guaranteed.
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