The Washington Crossing Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently recognized a local teacher and community group for outstanding work.
Maggie May, chair of the social studies department at Villa Joseph Marie High School, Holland, received the DAR Outstanding Teacher of American History award at the chapter’s Nov. 14, meeting held via Zoom.
The award honors teachers that have demonstrated excellence in readily sharing an incisive knowledge of American history, being committed to their students, fostering a spirit of patriotism and loyal support of our country, relating history to modern life and events and requiring high academic standards at all times from their students.
Recommendation letters described May as diligent, hard-working, creative and compassionate, constantly seeking to teach history as a subject that sheds a light on present social, political, cultural and religious conditions. The chapter was especially impressed by her development of an elective history course, Reel History, which teaches U.S. History through the viewing of movie films and encourages critical thinking, research, and analysis of modern media for accuracy.
May received a certificate and $100 from the chapter.
On Nov. 16, the Langhorne Community Memorial Association (LCMA) received the DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Award for its efforts to preserve and maintain the Richardson House, 102 W. Maple Ave., Langhorne.
The award honors individuals or groups that have saved and/or preserved their local history, including restoration of buildings, collections, significant objects, monuments, cemeteries and other important artifacts.
The Richardson House, built in 1738, is one of the oldest structures in Bucks County and is believed to have been the first trading post in the area. During the Revolutionary War, it sheltered part of George Washington’s army during the winter of 1777, after the famous crossing of the Delaware River and the ensuing Battle of Trenton. The south room of the house served as a hospital.
LCMA has owned the building since 1919, when it was purchased to create a World War I memorial. Today, the Richardson House is an active community center with beautiful surrounding gardens, hosting a variety of community events.
Since 2017, the group has raised nearly $35,000 to refurbish the outside of the house, including stucco work, windows and shutters. Fundraising is ongoing for future projects, which will include restoration of roof soffits, new wiring on the second floor, and replacing the front porch.
In a small, socially-distant ceremony held at the Richardson House, LCMA received a certificate, medal and $100 from the Washington Crossing Chapter.
The chapter actively seeks to recognize individuals and organizations that provide outstanding service in the DAR mission areas of patriotism, historic preservation, and education for children.
For more information about the DAR or the Washington Crossing Chapter: visit dar.org or washingtoncrossingdar.org.
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