Local DAR group presents author Ann Durkin Keating

On April 9, the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was honored to present Ann Durkin Keating, Ph.D., and her program "The World of Juliette Kinzie: Chicago Before the Fire."

Keating is a professor of history at North Central College in Naperville where she has been teaching for more than 30 years. Keating has extensive knowledge on 19th century Chicago.

Her subject for her latest published book, Juliette Kinzie (1806-1870), was one of Chicago's founding mothers. She was a historian, writer and author, and one of Chicago's most influential women.

Keating's program captivated members of Ansel Brainerd Cook. Her extensive sources for the book, including hundreds of personal letters written by Kinzie, offered an insight into the birth of Chicago. They were Kinzie's story in her own words. The Kinzie family helped develop Chicago, both socially and though civic involvements.

The Ansel Brainerd Chapter, NSDAR, is celebrating its 45th year. The chapter was organized in September 1977 in Libertyville by 17 members. The chapter has now grown to include more than 175 members. In 2021, the ABC chapter members logged in 7,705 volunteer hours in the towns in which they work and live.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts toward independence.

Any woman 18 years or older - regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background - who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership.

For more information about "The World of Juliette Kinzie" and Ann Durkin Keating, visit www.press.uchicago.edu.

For more information about Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, visit ildar.org/chapters/anselbrainerdcook.

• To submit Your news, go to dailyherald.com/share.