Historic Preservation
DAR is committed to saving our history for future generations through historic preservation projects. The Fond du Lac Chapter, NDSAR, has embraced this mission with projects to include cemetery documentation, obtaining historical site designation for landmarks, historic marker placement and recognizing the historic preservation of others by awarding DAR Historic Preservation Recognitions Awards.
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Most recently the Fond du Lac Chapter, NSDAR, has undertaken a multi-year project to locate, document, and clean gravesites of the historic Taycheedah Cemetery and St. Charles Cemetery in Taycheedah, Wisconsin. This project is connected to the Wreaths Across America wreath-laying event which will take place in December.
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To learn more about other major historical preservation projects our chapter has spearheaded, please see our Other Preservation Projects page.
Cemetery Preservation Projects
The most current project for the Fond du Lac Chapter, NSDAR, will be the preservation and documentation of the Taycheedah and St. Charles Cemeteries in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Taycheedah Cemetery was established in 1856, twenty years after Fond du Lac was first settled. Most notable in the cemetery are a 'Real Son' of a Revolutionary War Patriot, the first steamboat captain on Lake Winnebago, the niece of James Fenimore Cooper and military veterans.
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Taycheedah Cemetery is currently in receivership and is unmaintained. The Fond du Lac Chapter, NSDAR, members are volunteering hours to research, document and map this cemetery. There are 134 graves at Taycheedah Cemetery, 20 of which are veterans.
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St. Charles Cemetery has over 300 fallen military heroes with gravesites date back to the early 1800's. It is noted for its graves of the German, French and Irish settlers in Fond du Lac and is the first Catholic cemetery in Fond du Lac.
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Data collected from this project will be used to fact-check and update findagrave.com and will be listed in the Genealogical Research Center at NSDAR. Electronic copies of the completed project will also be made available at the Fond du Lac County Public Library and the Wisconsin State Historical Society.
Getting Involved
We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with local civic organizations, scout troops or anyone who is interested in historical preservation or genealogical work.
Preliminary organization and documentation of this effort began in October 2023. Further verification, documentation and preservation efforts will resume in spring, 2024.
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Volunteers are needed to assist with cleaning, repairing, transcribing, photographing and geolocating each headstone. In December, volunteers will be needed to lay the wreaths at the headstones of veterans.
The Fond du Lac Chapter, NSDAR, receives $5 per wreath when using this link. Funds raised through the Wreaths Across America fundraiser will be earmarked toward historical preservation work beginning with the Taycheedah and St. Charles Cemeteries.
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To collaborate with us on this effort or to donate supplies. please contact us.