The May/June issue of American Spirit*, the national magazine of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), visits Lasell Hall, owned by Schoharie DAR Chapter, Schoharie, N.Y. The home, in DAR’s hands since 1912, was severely damaged during the flooding from 2011’s Hurricane Irene. The building has become a signature restoration project for FEMA, but that agency wasn’t the only one to lend funds or a helping hand. Chapter members and the entire community came together to restore the circa-1795 home, including reinstating the original floor plan and many historic paint colors.

A year and a half before the Boston Tea Party, in June 1772, Rhode Island colonists boarded, raided and torched the British ship HMS Gaspee, which was anchored off the coast of current-day Warwick, R.I. While it’s a little-known event outside of Rhode Island (and too early to be considered valid proof of DAR membership), it is considered a significant event in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War. The burning of the Gaspee is still celebrated today in a festival and parade in Warwick each June.

For those readers not satisfied merely to drive to historic sites, we offer a feature on cycling through history. Rex Hammock, Hammock’s CEO, is passionate about cycling and gives advice on using that passion to tour some of America’s historic byways, such as Route 66 and the Natchez Trace, which runs through Tennessee and Mississippi.

Based on the model of a book library, seed libraries (find more information on this link) allow people to check out pouches of heirloom seeds to grow. We explore this topic from a preservation angle, exploring how users adapt cultivated seeds, some of which date back to at least the early 19th century, and ensure a supply of viable, fresh seeds for their communities.

In Visions of America, you’ll take a look inside some of the 42 formal meeting areas and reception rooms located at the U.S. Department of State. These symbolic and decorative Diplomatic Reception Rooms are filled with furniture, paintings and decor that tell the story of America’s past. In them, the United States signs treaties, conducts summit negotiations, hosts swearing-in ceremonies and facilitates trade agreements.

Anyone can subscribe to American Spirit (here’s how) and many public and school libraries in the United States have subscriptions, thanks to local DAR chapters.

*For more than 12 years, Hammock has been honored to assist our friends at the DAR in publishing their award-winning magazine. For samples of covers and editorial features in issues since 2007, visit the Hammock Portfolio on Flickr.