About us

The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Florida operates exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our focus is on American history from the settlement of Jamestown on May 13, 1607 to the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.

The Preamble of the Articles of Incorporation of the General Society of Colonial Wars reads:

“WHEREAS, It is desirable that there should be adequate celebrations commemorative of the events of Colonial History which took place within the period beginning with the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, May 13, 1607, and preceding the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775;

THEREFORE, The Society of Colonial Wars is instituted to perpetuate the memory of those events, and of the men who, in military, naval, and civil positions of high trust and responsibility, by their acts or counsel, assisted in the establishment, defense, and preservation of the American Colonies, and who were in truth founders of this Nation. To this end, it seeks to collect and preserve manuscripts, rolls, relics, and records; to hold suitable commemorations, and to erect memorials relating to the American Colonial period; to inspire in its members the fraternal and patriotic spirit of their forefathers, and to inspire in the community respect and reverence for those whose public services made our freedom and unity possible.”

The General Society

The General Society of Colonial Wars is a hereditary society composed of men who trace their descents from forebears who, in military, naval, or civil positions of high trust and responsibility, by acts or counsel, assisted in the establishment, defense, and preservation of the mainland American colonies of Great Britain. Approximately 23,000 men have joined the organization from its beginnings in 1893. Typically, there are 4,000 to 4,500 active members at any time. The Society is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Society of Colonial Wars was founded in New York in 1892 to further the interest in, and study of, America’s Colonial history for the period between the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia on May 13, 1607 and the battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.   In 1893, the General Society began to charter state societies to build an organization of national scope. Currently, there are state societies in 32 locals—Alabama, British Isles, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The Society has long sought to improve public awareness of the importance of colonial events and the individuals that shaped America. A number of monuments, plaques, and markers have been installed by the General and State Societies at sites nationally. The Societies also fund research and educational initiatives on the colonial period, including the Samuel Victor Constant Fellowships awarded annually for postgraduate study of the history of colonial American.

The Society continues its mission by collecting and preserving manuscripts, rolls, relics and records; erecting memorials; hosting commemorations; and supporting academic research to inspire respect for those whose made our freedom and unity possible. In 1988, the General Society established a collection at the University of Baltimore to preserve and make available the historically significant records of the Society and to build a resource collection on the Colonial Period in America. An endowment fund has been established in the University of Baltimore Educational Foundation to support this collection—contributions are welcomed.