SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: The Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Silver City Rotary Club invite everyone to attend the America 250! dedication of a Liberty Tree at the Silver City Visitor Center on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Noon. There is no charge to attend this America 250! community event.
Chapter Regent Lucy Whitmarsh noted that the Liberty Tree was a treasured symbol in the years leading up to the American Revolution. In towns and cities across the 13 colonies, local patriots, calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, selected a large tree in their community to serve as their gathering place and a living emblem of their commitment to freedom. Although those original trees are long gone, their spirit endures in Liberty Trees planted across America today. They are lasting reminders that the roots of freedom must always be nurtured and protected.
Rotary Club President, Ray Goellner, remarked, "The Silver City Rotary Club is pleased to join in partnership with DAR to dedicate a Liberty Tree in our town. With its location at the Visitor Center, it can be seen by over 9,000 people each year – local people and tourists who go there for information on events and things to see in the area. It can also be seen by people who enjoy walking in the landscaped areas behind the Visitor Center. We invite everyone in our communities to come and celebrate with us as we dedicate this Liberty Tree to honor Patriots of the American Revolutionary War, commemorate the birth of our nation, and provide a living symbol of freedom."
The focus of the DAR's commemorative efforts across the country are to celebrate our nation's rich history and diversity of experiences by honoring all men and women who helped achieve American independence. These patriots include Spanish soldiers and Native Americans in what is now New Mexico, who donated pesos and supplies that were sent back to the colonies to help support the fight for independence. DAR members, inspired by the service of their American Revolutionary War ancestors, are celebrating through acts of community service and hosting educational events.
The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established in 2016 under President Barack Obama and has since been facilitating nationwide plans to observe this historic occasion. The Commission created the America250 Foundation and identifies under that banner. America250 is a bipartisan coalition of public and private partners, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, all working to create initiatives and programs that honor the United States of America's first 250 years and to imagine our next 250 years.
Governor Lujan Grisham established New Mexico's Semiquincentennial Commission to engage every American in commemorating our nation's milestone and to honor the unique history, traditions, and contributions of New Mexico.
About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
One of the largest non-profit and non-political women's service organizations in the world, DAR has close to 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.
For information about the Jacob Bennett Chapter or DAR membership, call Lucy Whitmarsh at (575) 574-8394 or email
