DAR honors Revolutionary War veteran, opens new display at historic Fort Knox

The officers’ quarters at Fort Knox in Prospect needed attention, and on July 27 they got it.

Members of the Maine State Organization, Daughters of the American Revolution, turned out for the dedication of a new display which brings to life a special room off the inner ring of the stone fort.

Honorary State Regent Donna Dunbar Hoffmann unveiled the plaque representing the DAR chapters and individuals who had contributed $6,500 during her three-year state regent’s project for the officers’ quarters. Contributions came from as far away as Texas.

Those expressing their thanks to the DAR included Leon Seymour, executive director of the Friends of Fort Knox; and Michael Celli, chairman of the board for the Friends of Fort Knox.

The new display includes a mannequin in uniform seated near a window of the fort; and a variety of artifacts, from a bed to a pair of eyeglasses to a table and dishes.

The project, Hoffmann said, was dedicated to the memory of all U.S. veterans, from the Revolutionary War to the present.

Participants in the dedication included Heidi Hoffmann-Coghill, chapter regent; and Jeannine Buckminster, chapter chaplain.

Those attending included Vrege Murray, state regent, Portland; and Elizabeth Hotchkiss, state registrar, Harborside, as well as representatives of several chapters.

Before the dedication, DAR members had gathered at Buck Cemetery in Bucksport to rededicate the grave of Col. Jonathan Buck, Revolutionary War veteran and founder of Bucksport.

Hoffmann unveiled a plaque honoring Buck’s military service. Guests included Charlotte Buck, his great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter.

The plaque reads: “Colonel Jonathan Buck Sr., Revolutionary War Soldier 5th Lincoln Co. Regiment, MA Militia Under Brigadier General Cushing and General Lovell. Born on February 20, 1719 in Woburn, Middlesex Co. Maine Dist. of MA. Died on March 18, 1795 in Bucksport, Hancock Co. Maine Dist. of MA. Marker Placed by Maine State Organization Daughters of the American Revolution and Ramassoc Chapter, NSDAR in 2007.