Introduction: In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry searches old newspapers to find pictures of Presidents’ Day celebrations from the past. Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, americana-archives.com, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.

Every year for Presidents’ Day, initially a recognized holiday commemorating the birth of George Washington – a Founding Father, commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, and the first U.S. president – the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) pay homage to this great leader.

In honor of George Washington’s birthday, the holiday originally was celebrated on February 22, and the holiday is still officially called Washington’s Birthday. Presidents’ Day became the more popular name, and its celebration was changed to the third Monday of February starting in 1971. Read more from the National Archives.

Here are some news clips and images I found searching GenealogyBank’s Historical Newspaper Archives.

DAR Honors Washington’s Birthday with a Tea

In 1926 the Multnomah and Willamette chapters of the DAR gathered in colonial costumes to celebrate the birthday of Washington and hold a tea reception. The Multnomah chapter met at the University Club, and the Willamette chapter at the home of Mrs. James D. Abbott.

The events were featured in the Oregonian newspaper with two photos.

The first photo shows members of the Willamette chapter (from left to right): Mrs. L. J. Lathrop; Miss Maude Swingley; Mrs. R. F. Walters; Mrs. Frank A. Raymond; and Mrs. R. C. Wright.

The second photo shows members of the Multnomah chapter: cutting the cake is Mrs. J. B. Montgomery, founder of the DAR in Oregon, wearing a costume made for a court presentation in Europe; and (from left to right) Mrs. Seymour Jones of Salem, state regent; Mrs. Octave J. Coffin, chapter regent; and Mrs. Montgomery, chapter founder.

According to this article:

Many colonial costumes worn at both gatherings recalled the charm of the women of Washington’s period.

Two gowns which had been in the wardrobes of “real daughters” of Revolutionary soldiers were worn. Mrs. R. C. Wright wore a gown of plaid wool poplin, and Mrs. R. F. Walters wore one of black lutestring silk.

Mrs. Frank A. Raymond wore her grandmother’s wedding dress made about 100 years ago. Another quaint wedding gown was that of Mrs. J. L. Lathrop, made about 1860. Another gown 100 years old was worn by Miss Maude Swingley of Longview, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution from Iowa.

Below is a photo of Mrs. J. B. Montgomery (1846-1943), born Mary Ann “Mollie” Phelps to John Smith and Mary (Whitney) Phelps, and wife of James Boyce Montgomery. Besides being founder of the Oregon chapter of the DAR, she also: founded the Colonial Dames in Oregon; was a member of the Daughters of 1812; a charter member of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots; and honorary vice president of the Daughters of American Colonists.

Tableaux Depict Life of Washington

In 1932 a photograph featured in the South Bend Tribune shows a DAR official overseeing the Children of the American Revolution in costume depicting the life of Washington.

The photo caption reads:

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND (INSET) MRS. HARRIET V. RIGDON.

These boys and girls, members of the Children of the American Revolution, are shown as they appeared in tableaux presented Friday afternoon at the luncheon of [the] Schuyler Colfax Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in the Y. W. C. A. residence. At the extreme right of the group are Miss Carolyn Coen and George Wheelock as George and Martha Washington; and the two colored servants of the Washington household, the butler and Mammy Sue, are portrayed by William Wright and Margaret Bertsch. Others in the group are Jane Montgomery, Elizabeth Ginz, Lucile Learmonth, Mrs. W. R. Wright, Betty Meyers, Catherine Miller, Virginia Beth Heuring, Elizabeth Miller, and Mary Meeks. Mrs. Harriet V. Rigdon of Washington, treasurer general of the national society, was a guest of the chapter.

Three Berks County Pennsylvania Organizations Honor Memory of Washington

In 1948 the DAR ladies celebrated Washington’s birthday with the fellows. The Reading Eagle covered the event featuring a photo and highlights of the evening speaker.

The photo caption reads:

Officers of [the] Gov. Joseph Hiester Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution [SAR], and the Berks County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, are shown here with the principal speaker at a dinner held last night in the Wyomissing Club by the SAR, with members of the DAR and Berks County Historical Society as guests. Pictured, from left to right, are: Ernest S. Rhoads, president of the SAR; Mrs. Charles I. Hain, regent of the DAR; and the Rev. Dr. H. M. J. Klein, head of the history and archaeology department of Franklin and Marshall College, who was the speaker at the dinner.

The evening’s theme was freedom, which reflected General Washington’s part in the American Revolution and paired him alongside President Abraham Lincoln, who also faced extreme challenges.

Here are a few quotes from Rev. H. M. J. Klein’s speech:

“Freedom is the spirit of man asserting itself – the divine urge for self-realization… There is no portion of our heritage which has been brought to us at such risk of life and cost of blood as our freedom. Our freedom tells of men who, in order to obtain this gift of God for others as well as to maintain it for themselves, have made the supreme sacrifice.”

Old Northwest Chapter DAR Honors Washington’s Birthday with Luncheon

In 1952 Ohio daughters hosted a luncheon to celebrate Washington’s birthday. The event also gave an opportunity to pass out awards to the community.

Below are two photos featured in the Record-Courier newspaper.

The photo caption reads:

DAR SPEAKER – Mrs. Arthur T. Davis, Alliance, State DAR regent, center, is being welcomed to the annual Washington’s birthday luncheon of [the] Old Northwest chapter by the hostess, Miss Helen Beatty, right. Mrs. Samuel Chinn, regent of the Ravenna chapter, is shown with Mrs. Davis.

The photo caption reads:

DAR AWARDS – Mrs. Frank Irmiter, newly elected regent of [the] Old Northwest chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and chairman of the recent Good Citizenship contest, is shown at the right as she presented flags to the area contest winners. Shown receiving their flags are Mary Alice Drotar of Raveena township school; Kathleen Mudler of Mantua; and Kathy Balwin of Southeast school, Edinburg.

Enjoy celebrating Presidents’ Day today!

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Note on the header image: photos of the Cincinnati Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Clough Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, holding a joint luncheon to celebrate Washington’s Birthday at the historic School House Restaurant and General Store, in Camp Dennison. Credit:  Cincinnati Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.