DAR honors Thompson, George

ASHEBORO — The Col. Andrew Balfour Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the NC DAR Community Service Award to Owen George III and Richard Thompson at the organization’s March meeting

George was nominated for the award by DAR member Jane Maxwell for his leadership in the restoration of the 1839 Asheboro Female Academy and for his work as president of Friends of the Library.

George is a member of the Nathaniel Greene Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He was honored for his volunteer work with two groups: Trees NC and Friends of the Randolph Library.

Trees NC is a grassroots, citizen-based organization emphasizing ecological stewardship and community collaboration to improve the urban environment. 

Friends of the Randolph Library (FOL) contributes funding and volunteer hours to award-winning, creative programming for Randolph Public Library. A long-time board member, George has been president for two years. FOL volunteers organize summer reading programs, author visits and cultural events, and staff the FOL used bookshop on Sunset Avenue.

Working with Trees NC, George has been instrumental in restoring the Asheboro Female Academy, established in 1839. 

After public education was instituted, the building, used for storage and servants’ quarters, deteriorated. George and others in Trees NC raised money and oversaw a renovation which brought the structure back to historical accuracy and added handicapped accessible bathrooms. He is currently overseeing improvements to the grounds and construction of a large patio to be used to present living history programs as part of America 250 Celebrations.

Thompson received his award for his work to restore the graveyard headstones at the historic Andrew Balfour Cemetery. He cleaned the headstones to honor his friend, the late Col. Guy Troy, who was the third great-grandson of Col. Andrew Balfour and also a member of the Nathaniel Greene Chapter of SAR.

With the upcoming celebration of America 250, many events will take place at the Balfour Cemetery and the 75-year celebration of the Col. Andrew Balfour Chapter of the DAR.

Thompson, a HODAR (Husband of a DAR member), was honored for his work cleaning the gravestones at the Balfour Cemetery. This is the final resting place of patriot Colonel Andrew Balfour, for whom the local DAR chapter was named. 

The companies that make appropriate cleaning supplies describe the process as easy, but it is not. Thompson made more than 22 trips of several hours each to scrub stones that probably had never been cleaned before. Because there is no source of water at the cemetery, Thompson had to take everything with him. The amazing results are pictured on the cover of the 2023-2024 Colonel Andrew Balfour Chapter Yearbook.

Dr. Katie Dunlap nominated him for the award, the first time the Balfour Chapter has given one.