DAR Gives To Bethel Center
Mayor Sincell describes plans for the Bethel Center restoration project to the DAR members.
Recognizing the soldiers who fought for the American Enlightenment began for the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1890. The nonprofit organization of direct descendants who fought for America’s freedom from the British realized that the European immigrants were not alone in guarding the boundaries established by America’s colonists. An eight-year battle defeated the Redcoats in 1883, ending British rule and taxation in the new land. The United States secured its sovereignty with the help of the indigenous people and African Americans who fought side-by-side for their country.
Race divisions in the early part of the 20th century did not evade the DAR. In 1932 the DAR adopted a rule excluding African-American musicians from performing at DAR Constitution Hall. In 1939, they denied permission for widely acclaimed soprano, Marian Anderson to perform a concert. In protest of this decision, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a DAR member, resigned from the organization. Her position garnered ample support so at her behest, an open-air concert was held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a dignified and stirring rendition by Anderson of "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)." The event attracted a crowd of more than 75,000 on the Washington Mall in addition to a national radio audience of millions. An official reversal of the DAR’s “white performers only” policy was adopted in 1952. Since that time, an awakening to be inclusive led to the first African-American member, Karen Batchelor Farmer from Detroit Michigan, to be welcomed into the DAR in 1977. The news made the headlines of the New York Times, marking a more diverse lineage-based membership topping 185,000.
MLPHA president Karen Wooddell (center) accepts a donation of $1,000 from Maryland DAR representatives. Left to right; Mary Fisher, Marnie Sams Crane, DAR State Regent, Denise Shay, DAR Assistant Treasurer.
In recognition of the A.M.E. Church relocation and restoration project, The Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution handed over a check for $1,000 to Karen Wooddell, president of the Mountain Lake Park Historical Association during a special luncheon at the Town Hall meeting room. DAR State Regent, Mernie Sams Crane praised MLPHA and the Town of Mountain Lake Park for recognizing the significance of the only African-American church in Garrett County. Mayor Don Sincell addressed the group to express his thanks and tell the story of how the restoration project came to be. A centerpiece as Sincell explained was to acknowledge those African Americans who helped build and support Garrett County during its years of most ambitious growth. He also expressed a wish to use what will be called Bethel Center as a place to educate Garrett County’s children about a lost piece of history that includes people of color. The Youghiogheny Glades Chapter Regent of the DAR, Beverly Railey Robinson contributed an additional $50 for the project.
Following the luncheon, DAR members were escorted to the new site of Bethel Center to see the project underway. Sincell described the restoration goals and potential uses for the building upon its completion including a destination for school field trips, weddings, special presentations, and private religious services. The group ended their visit by browsing the Ticket Office Museum located across the street. Everyone was given a commemorative Victorian Chautauqua pin and additional literature about the museum to take with them.
PLEASE NOTE; There are currently no known images of the Bethel A.M.E. Church on its original site in Oakland on the corner of 5th and High Streets. The prime location was on the corner opposite the main entrance to the Oakland Cemetery. A nationwide search continues to locate any images of the exterior. Please contact MLPHA if you think you have a photo of it either featured or in the background of another subject. Any pictures could be pivotal to achieving an accurate restoration.
