NSDAR celebrates anniversary

As part of its 125th anniversary, members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Liberty Bell of the West Chapter spent Sunday cleaning up the Kaskaskia Bell State Historic Site.

Known as the "Liberty Bell of the West" memorial, the building houses a bell that rang on July 4, 1778 to celebrate the liberation of Kaskaskia from British forces by Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark.

Fifteen NSDAR chapter members, along with five other non-members, cleaned the bell, washed windows, painted handrails and did other maintenance around the site.

"Our three things are patriotism, education and preservation," said Shanti Kennedy, NSDAR chapter vice-regent. "This project accomplishes those three main goals and it was very nice for the people who came to visit while we were there. It was a privilege to be a part of preserving it."

Kennedy said roughly 35 people visited the site while they were working, including visitors from France - who were in the area for the 250th anniversary celebration of the surrender of Fort de Chartres.

"Besides being a part of history, it was fantastic for the DAR to be visible in the community," Kennedy said. "A man came from Little Rock (Ark.), who said it was great to see people taking care of these places.

"(The project) built camaraderie in our chapter. The women of the chapter were really thrilled to be a part of this and are looking to do other projects."

NSDAR members also mulched the flower beds, removed leaves and a hornet's nest and cleaned existing signs. Kennedy said the bell itself was cleaned for the first time since 1993.

"I would like to thank Chester Wingerter of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency," Kennedy said. "He worked with (Randolph County historian) Emily Lyons to tell us what type of paint we should use.

"We needed approval from them to do this work and we definitely want to acknowledge them."

Kennedy also wishes to thank Immaculate Conception Church of Kaskaskia, to which the bell was given as a gift by King Louis XV of France. The church donated the use of its parish hall for snacks and bathroom useage.

"Our chapter funded the cleaning of all this and the supplies were purchased through the chapter," Kennedy said. "We spent close to $150 on cleaning supplies and paint."

Kennedy said if anyone is interested in joining the NSDAR organization to contact the Liberty Bell of the West Chapter through its website at darlibertybell.weebly.com.