The Thomasville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held its Christmas Tea and Open House on December 9 at Spring Creek Farms in Boston. The stunning home of Lila Jones was beautifully decorated for Christmas! Guests entered through a large holiday wreath which covered the double doors. In the grand entrance was a magnificent Christmas tree trimmed in red and gold and topped with a red poinsettia. A majestic and glittering chandelier from the Dominican Republic crowns the double curved staircase. A life-size Santa Clause is displayed at the top of the staircase.

The exquisite dining room featured a holiday centerpiece and two coastal bird paintings by Tom Tiffin titled “Amazing Grace” and “How Sweet the Sound.” Wild game that Jones hunted during her travels is beautifully intermixed with the elegance and comfort of her home, which is named “Amazing Grace.” The game room features six turkeys that Jones hunted during her pursuit to complete the World Slam.

Thomasville Chapter DAR members and friends greeted Tea attendees and shared some of the history of this remarkable residence. The wonderfully designed rooms featured family heirlooms, stained glass, and unique artwork with accents of Christmas decor and other festive items. In the open kitchen, the Thomasville Chapter DAR offered delicious homemade holiday food, tasty sweets, Christmas cookies and libations for everyone to enjoy. Adding to the festive occasion, large red Santa hats topped the bar seats. Past Chapter Regents served special spiced tea and holiday punch to guests. Holiday music was provided by Robert Parrish at the piano. Tea attendees dressed in Victorian attire also added to the spirit of the occasion. The DAR Tea was a delightful event which benefits the Lois Elam DAR Scholarship Fund along with other local, state and national projects.

Thomasville Chapter DAR Regent Charlotte Brown and Vice Regent Mary Tomlinson were co-chairs of the event. The DAR Christmas Tea enjoyed good attendance by the local community along with DAR chapter members and guests from Thomasville and the surrounding areas including Moultrie, Valdosta, Quitman, Sylvester, and Tallahassee. 

The Thomasville Chapter DAR would like to thank Lila Jones, DAR members and prospective members, volunteers, friends and the Thomasville Visitors Center for helping to make the DAR Christmas Tea a success! Lila Jones is a member of the Hannah Clarke Chapter DAR in Quitman.

Thomasville Chapter DAR Regent Mary Malone started the Tea in 1999 and the first Tea took place at Sarah Secrest’s home, located in “A Place in the Woods” in 1999. Regent Miriam Powell continued the Tea in 2000 and the Thomasville Chapter has held a DAR Tea most years since then.

The Thomasville Chapter DAR Lois Elam Scholarship was created to assist local graduating high school seniors. The goal of the scholarship is to help young people continue their education in areas that encourage DAR goals of historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The recipient of the Lois Elam Scholarship receives $1,000 towards their college costs. The scholarship allows a local Thomas County or Grady County graduate entering college for their first year to study history, political science, education, journalism, library science or related fields. For information on how to apply for this scholarship, contact a high school counselor.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. More than one million women have joined the DAR since it was founded. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

For more information about the Thomasville Chapter DAR, visit thomasville.georgiastatedar.org or the Chapter’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ThomasvilleChapterNSDAR.