Children of the American Revolution

The Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) was founded in 1895 by Harriett Lothrop. The idea was proposed February 22, 1895 at the Fourth Continental Congress of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The organization was promptly chartered by the United States Congress, and C.A.R., is now the nation's oldest and largest, patriotic youth organization. C.A.R. offers membership to anyone under the age of 22 who is lineally descended from someone who served in the Continental Army or gave material aid to the cause of freedom in the American Revolution. There are three parent organizations, DAR, SAR, and SR.

C.A.R. Headquarters are housed in the DAR Memorial Building. The National Headquarters houses a museum dedicated to C.A.R. and American history, archives, a library, records, and a chapel.

Harriett Lothrop (1844-1924) was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the owner of The Wayside in Concord, Massachusetts (not to be confused with the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts). She was the author of a number of children's books and the widow of publisher Daniel Lothrop. She was a friend of Julia Ward Howe and the Alcott family.

She felt strongly that there needed to be an organization to teach children American history and patriotic values. She founded the Children of the American Revolution (CAR) to accomplish these goals. Originally, all leaders in the C.A.R. were adult members of DAR, but the leadership style evolved over time; now the organization is led by a National President, 13 National Officers, nine National Vice Presidents of the Regions, State Presidents, National Chairmen, and equal Seniors.

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