Virginia SAR Color Guard Grouping of compatriots with award certificates at 2024 Semi-Annual Meeting

Virginia in 1775
2025 Virginia SAR Presidential Initiative Events


Virginia Society
Sons of the American Revolution

SAR Mission: 
The Sons of the American Revolution honors our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors 
by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and inspiring future generations
about the founding principles of our Country.

How to join the Sons of the American Revolution

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (National SAR or SAR)
was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (Virginia SAR) 
was founded in 1890 and chartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Together, we are a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and promoting education to our future generations. SAR members volunteer untold hours of service each year in their local communities. SAR is very active in assisting veterans. We proudly assist teachers with living history interpreters, lesson planning materials and reenactment events for school aged youth to attend.

As one of the largest male societies in the country, SAR boasts tens of thousands of active members in over 550 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any male 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background-who can prove blood lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. We were on the razor’s edge in allowing DNA results to be used to prove descent for those with unclear roots. SAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation’s premier genealogical libraries. National SAR is a Congressionally Chartered Organization and is exempt from Federal income taxes under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Virginia SAR boats more than 2,700 active members in over 30 chapters across the Commonwealth. 
George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Patrick Henry, and countless other patriots first drew breath on Virginia soil. In many respects, American Independence began with Virginia. It was Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, who first proposed on June 7, 1776, that the Continental Congress declare independence from Great Britain.

The Benefits of Membership

Any male shall be eligible for membership in the SAR who is a citizen of good repute in the community; and a lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in loyalty to and rendered acceptable service in the cause of American Independence. The SAR accepts service rendered, with some exceptions, for the period between 19 April 1775 and 26 November 1783.

Hundreds of thousands of men are eligible for membership, and members are available to assist you with your application process. Joining the SAR will afford you the opportunity to serve your community, to whatever degree your time allows, all while becoming acquainted with others with whom you share many common interests. 

To initiate the process, you should begin by ensuring that you can satisfy membership requirements and that you descend from an accepted Patriot. We do not restrict membership on basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, nation of citizenship, or residency. 

Membership Pamphlet

 

Circular seal for the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. At the center, there are three busts in profile facing left, representing Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Above the busts, the words “Vox Penna Gladius” are inscribed, symbolizing “the Voice,” “the Pen,” and “the Sword.” Below each bust are the dates “1765,” “1776,” and “1781,” corresponding to significant events: Patrick Henry’s seat in the House of Burgesses, Thomas Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington’s victory at Yorktown. At the bottom, the text reads “Organized July 7, 1890.” The outermost border contains the text “SONS OF THE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION • VIRGINIA SOCIETY.” The seal uses a brownish background with darker brown text and detailing.

PATRIOTIC GOALS

HISTORICAL GOALS

EDUCATIONAL GOALS