Sons of the Revolution

Object of the Society

It being evident from the steady decline of a proper celebration of the National holidays of the United States of America, that popular concern in the events and men of the War of the Revolution is gradually declining, and that such lack of interest is attributable, not so much to the lapse of time and rapid increase of immigration from foreign countries, as to the neglect, on the part of descendants of Revolutionary heroes, to perform their duty in keeping before the public mind the memory of the services of their ancestors and of the times in which they lived; therefore, the Society of Sons of the Revolution has been instituted to perpetuate the memory of the men, who, in the military, naval and civil service of the colonies and of the Continental Congress, by their acts or counsel, achieved the Independence of the Country, and to further the proper celebration of the anniversaries of the birthday of Washington; and of prominent events connected with the War of the Revolution; to collect and secure for preservation the rolls, records, and other documents relating to that period; to inspire the members of the Society with the patriotic spirit of their forefathers; and to promote the feeling of friendship among them.

Sons of the Revolution

The Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California was founded on May 15, 1893 in Los Angeles, California. Today, it is one of the largest State Societies in the Nation. Membership is open to qualified male descendants of an individual who, as a military, naval or marine officer, sailor or marine, saw active service in that capacity under the authority of any of the thirteen (13) Colonies or States, or of the Continental Congress, and remained always loyal to such authority, or to a male descendant of an individual who signed the Declaration of Independence, or of an individual who, as a member of the Continental Congress or of the Congress of any of the thirteen (13) Colonies or States, or as an Official appointed by or under the authority of any such legislative bodies, actually assisted in the establishment of American Independence by services rendered during the War of the Revolution, becoming thereby liable to conviction or treason against the Government of Great Britain, but remained always loyal to the authoirty of the Colonies or States. To qualify for membership, such service must have been performed between April 19, 1775 and April 19, 1783.

Junior Members are those individuals of good moral character who would otherwise qualify as Annual Members, but who have not yet attained the age of eighteen (18) years.

Those interested in more information may contact: Chairman, Membership Committee, Sons of the Revolution in the State of California, 600 South Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204.

SONS OF THE REVOLUTION LIBRARY

The Sons of the Revolution Library in Glendale California has been provided as a public service to the public since 1893, its purpose being to act as a repository for books and reference materials relating to the American Revolution; early American, California and local history; and genealogy. For over 100 years is has been operated and maintained as a service to the community by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Use of the Library is free to anyone in keeping with the purpose of the Society "to encourage interest in the early history of the United States . . . to perpetuate the memory of the brave men who fought in the Revolutionary War, and to collect and preserve the manuscripts, records and documents relating to our past."

By the turn of the century, the Library's collection consisted of 5,000 volumes, an impressive size for the time. Growth of the collection, through direct acquisition and gifts, has been steady over the past 100 years, and has included by gift several major private collections. Today, the Library comprises over 35,000 volumes and is well known as one of the largest collections relating to the American Revolution and Colonial America in the western United States. An ongoing fund, supplemented by gifts from the community, facilitates an aggressive books and acquisition program to maintain, broaden and update the collection. The Sons of the Revolution owns the building and collections outright.

In addition to a fine collection of books, periodicals and manuscripts, many of which are rare out-of-print first editions, the Library is blessed with a magnificient collection of artifacts, many of which are on display, including:

An original leopard skin saddle pad owned by Gen. George Washington. It was owned by Gen. Edward Braddock at the time of his death in 1755 in an Indian massacre, after which it was presented to George Washington.

A silk flag carried in the First Trade Procession of Boston (October 24, 1789) as part of the celebration honoring the visit of George Washington. President Washington passed through the open ranks of the procession on a white horse and reviewed the flag.

A portrait of Gen. John Charles Fremont, hero of the Mexican War of 1847 and early California settler, done from life in 1855 by T. Buchanan Read. It is complete with an authentic bullet hole received during the famous New York Draft Riots of an era gone by!

Library Hours

Wednesdays

12 NOON to 8:00 p.m.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Closed Sunday-Tuesday, Saturdays before a Monday holiday, Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the day before Christmas through New Years's Day and all of the month of October.

Ventura Fwy (134) east to Central Avenue (Glendale), south two blocks past the Glendale Galleria.

600 South Central Avenue

Glendale, California 91204

818-240-1775

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Persons interested in providing volunteer services in support of the maintenance, operation or leadership of the Library are encouraged to become part of our support group.

Contributions and donations of books are encouraged. The Library receives no financial support from the city, state or Federal government, and depends on donors' generosity to provide the means of continuing, improving and expanding service to the community.

SONS OF THE REVOLUTION HISTORY

Included in this comprehensive work are over one hundred photos, biographies of each of the Society's President, and an account of its "true sons" of the Revolution (men whose fathers served in the War). The Centennial Register also include a collection of interesting information culled from rare and out of print sources, including: a statistical analysis of military casualties, by battle; number of American troops by Colony; alphabetical list of battles and actions; plus additional information and research reprinted from various publications issued by the Society, including The Bulletin, The Golden State Patriot, and other specially printed essays.

Also in this comprehensive work are over one hundred photos, biographies of each of the Society's President, and a listing of over 3,000 Revolutionary War soldiers and their military service records. The Centennial Register also include a collection of interesting information culled from rare and out of print sources, including:

Over 1,300 pages in length and professionally printed on fine quality, acid-free paper, the Centennial Register is hardbound with the Society's logo emblazoned on the cover.

Click Centenial Register to learn more.

Who was George Washington? Click this link for an interesting article from the National Review.

Click this stamp to E-Mail the Sons of the Revolution.

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Updated: April 1, 1997