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Welcome to the 

Swallow Cliff Chapter
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

 Palos Heights, Illinois

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 birdWho is Eligible to Join?

Membership in DAR is very rewarding.  To become a member, a woman must be at least 18 years old and be able to prove direct descent from a person who rendered patriotic service during the American Revolution. If you think you are eligible, come to one of our meetings or send an e-mail to our registrar Gloria Flathom.   Many of our members are willing to help you find ways to document your lineage.  We're anxious to meet you and have you be a part of our chapter.  Click here to see a listing of patriots associated with our chapter.

About Our Chapterbird

We are so glad you decided to visit us at our home on the information superhighway.  The Swallow Cliff Chapter was organized October 31, 1981.  Since then, the chapter has worked diligently to fulfill the objects of our society:  "to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in security for mankind all the blessings of liberty."  The chapter presents ROTC awards, honors DAR Good Citizens from local high schools, sponsors the American History essay contest for students in 5th to 8th grades, supports our nation's troops and veterans, and sponsors the Knoll Springs Society Children of the American Revolution.  The chapter installed a bronze plaque to mark the site of "The Land of the Healing Waters," a historic Indian site in Willow Springs, Illinois.  Currently, the Swallow Cliff Chapter is raising funds to send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight program.

The origin and meaning of the chapter name comes from this history:  The silt laid down by the waters of Lake Chicago in the Palos area had great porosity and capacity to stand in vertical walls.  Situated in the forest preserve of Cook County, thousands of barn swallows and some kingfishers nested in the vertical face of the cliff, some hundred years ago, which was known as the Swallow Cliff outcrop on the Neumann Creek.  

The roadway was cut right through the cliff when LaGrange Road (Route 45) was widened as traffic increased over the years, and despite protection by wire screening to prevent vandalism, the birds disappeared.  A few swallows still attempt to nest there, but it is now a busy road.  People used to congregate to watch their aerial maneuvers, capturing flying insects and diving into their burrows to feed their young.

The last Indian residing in Palos was a squaw living in her wigwam on top of Swallow Cliff.  The cliffs in the forest preserve were the site of the famous Swallow Cliff Toboggan Slides which no longer remain.
sledding
(Historic photo of Swallow Cliff  Toboggan Slides)

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birdMeeting Schedule

Chapter meetings are normally held on the third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m., September through May.  For additional information, please contact our Regent.
DATE PROGRAM
September 15, 2012
Noon
"Legislating with the U.S. Constitution" presented by Ill. State Representative Bill Cunningham
October 20, 2012
Noon
"Revolutionary Women" presented by District IV Director Nancy Canova
November 4, 2012
11:00 a.m.
"Veterans'Day Observed" Worth Veterans' Memorial
November 17, 2012
1:00 p.m.
"Experiences in War" presented by Major Dr. Nancy Taft
December 15, 2012
Noon
Holiday Luncheon "DAR Through the Generations"
January 19, 2013
1:00 p.m.
"DAR Schools"
February 16, 2013
1:00 p.m.
American History Essay Winners & DAR Good Citizen Award Winners
March 16, 2013
1:00 p.m.
"Electronic Recycling" presented by Sean Smith of Vintage Recycling
April 20, 2013
1:00 p.m.
"Preserving our Local Communities" presented by Colleen McElroy, curator of the Worth Park District Historic Museum
May 18, 2013
Noon
Installation of New Officers & Awards
May 19, 2013Memorial Day Observed,
Worth Veterans' Memorial
May 27, 2013Memorial Day Event, Palos Heights Veterans'Memorial

          Our Patriots                            Chapter Officers                      Illinois DAR                   NSDAR

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Website created by Illinois State Webmasters October 6, 2009.  Last update August 21, 2012

Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the State Organization, or the local DAR chapter.