Our Founding

 

In the spring of 1992, DAR members Agnes Van Orden, Mary Lou Chianese, Jean Katz, Claire Pellarin, and Beverleigh Schlieben came together with a shared vision—to establish a new DAR chapter in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Alongside Elizabeth Carfagno, Roselyn Doverspike, Beverlee Felkner, Rachel Kemble, Nancy LaRocca, Marion O’Neill, Diane Orr, Edith Orr, Jean Torongo, Marjorie Torongo, and Marilyn Watson, these women became the organizing and charter members of what would become the Washington Crossing Chapter.
 

On August 29, 1992, the organizing officers were installed by the State Organizing Secretary. Twelve of the sixteen founding members signed the official “Report to Organize.” The officers were:

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• Agnes Van Orden – Regent

• Mary Lou Chianese – Vice Regent

• Beverleigh Schlieben – Chaplain & Parliamentarian

• Jean Torongo – Recording Secretary

• Beverlee Felkner – Corresponding Secretary

• Marjorie Torongo – Treasurer

• Elizabeth Carfagno – Registrar
   

Our Name & Home

As required by the National Society, three name options were submitted: Washington Crossing, Bowman Hill, and Samuel Merrick. On October 7, 1992, the National Board of Management confirmed Washington Crossing Chapter of Yardley, Pennsylvania, the 146th chapter in the state.

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Our first meetings were held at the historic David Library of the American Revolution in Washington Crossing, PA, connecting our chapter directly with a legacy of scholarship and Revolutionary War history.