The Annual Congress of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a time-honored tradition started at its founding in 1889. Not to be confused with the United States Congress, this national meeting is named after the original Continental Congress which governed the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War.
Leaders from the national and state societies, with members from across the United State and Europe, meet for a week in early July to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives, and reconnect with friends. There are hundreds in attendance to represent our 30,000 members within the 50 states and international locations.
Since its founding, the SAR has promoted historic preservation, education and patriotism. and these objectives are reflected in all of the events of the Congress. The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, social functions, and is capped with formal evening to induct newly-elected national officers. The schedule typically follows the outline below with minor variation.
General Schedule
| Friday |
Registration and Credentialing Executive Committee Meeting Foundation Board Meeting Ladies Hospitality Local tours of prominent sites (optional) Genealogy Seminar Volunteer Appreciation |
| Saturday |
Registration and Credentialing Ladies Hospitality Local tours of prominent sites (optional) Host Society Reception (Late Afternoon) Rumbaugh Oration Semi-Finals |
| Sunday |
Registration and Credentialing Color Guard Breakfast Ladies Hospitality National Committee Meetings New Attendee Orientation First Lady’s Tea Meeting of the National Trustees Color Guard Review Memorial Service Rumbaught Oration Finals |
| Monday |
Registration and Credentialing Council of State Presidents Breakfast Ladies Hospitality Opening Session of Congress Youth Awards Presentation Luncheon Afternoon Session of Congress Ladies Auxiliary Board Meeting Minute Man Induction Awards and Recognitions |
| Tuesday |
Registration and Credentialing Breakfasts of the District Societies Ladies Hospitality General Business Session Lady’s Luncheon, Presentation/Tour Election of General Officers Lectures and National Committee Meetings President General’s Banquet |
| Wednesday |
Breakfast Meetings Ladies Hospitality Final Session of Congress Election of Vice President Generals and National Trustees Local tours of prominent sites (optional) Induction Banquet |
| Thursday |
Executive Committee Meeting Foundation Board Meeting Local tours of prominent sites (optional) |
Orientation
When you arrive at the hotel and check in, head to the Registration Desk for your information packet. Look for the message board with announcements, updates on meetings and more. (Delegates also should proceed to credentialing to be verified as delegates.) Familiarize yourself with the location and layout of the meeting rooms for the general sessions, awards night, and banquets. Examine the meeting schedules listed in the program of the packet you received at the Registration Desk.
Plan to attend the New Attendees Orientation scheduled for Sunday morning. It is opportunity to hear what is happening at congress and to ask questions. Several of the national officers and staff attend to introduce themselves.
Delegates
If you are a delegate, ensure you are listed on your state society’s credential sheet and have paid the registration fee. You are not a delegate without having paid the fee.
Attire
Below is the appropriate attire for the events of congress:
| Event | Men | Ladies | Special |
| Tours | Comfortable Clothes – walking involved | Comfortable Clothes – walking involved | |
| Host Reception | Daytime dress, Polo Shirt and slacks | Daytime dress, Slacks or capris | |
| Color Guard Breakfast | Uniform or blazer and tie | Colonial Dress or Daytime dress, pants suit or suit | |
| Memorial Service | Uniform or blazer and tie | Colonial Dress or Daytime dress, pants suit or suit | |
| First Lady’s Tea | N/A | Colonial Dress or Daytime dress, pants suit or suit (Hats Optional) | |
| Rumbaugh Orations Finals | Daytime dress, Polo Shirt and slacks | Daytime dress, Slacks or capris | |
| General Session | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, pants suit or suit | |
| Youth Luncheon | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, pants suit or suit | |
| Minuteman/ Awards Night | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, Pants suit or suit | Minutemen wear white dinner jacket, black tie. New inductees wear no insignia |
| Breakfasts/George Washington Fellows & VPGs Luncheon | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, Pants suit or suit | |
| General Sessions | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, Pants suit or suit | |
| Ladies Luncheon | N/A | Daytime dress, Pants suit or suit (Hats optional) | |
| President General’s Banquet | Black or white formal dinner attire with decorations or Continental Uniform | Colonial Period Attire or Long Formal Gowns | |
| General Session | Coat and Tie | Daytime dress, Pants suit or suit | |
| Tours | Comfortable Clothes- walking involved | Comfortable Clothes- walking involved | |
| Installation Banquet | Tails, white dinner jacket with decorations, Black Tuxedo or Continental Uniform | Colonial Period Attire or Long Formal Gowns | Former President Generals, and newly elected General Officers and Vice President Generals, wear full dress with white tie/gloves/tails |