History of The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest

In 1945 an Ohio SAR member, Douglass G. High, originated this creative exercise in a Cincinnati Senior High.  Two years later the NSSAR assumed National sponsorship.  Douglass G. High passed away in 1952.  In 1953 the National Society attached his name to the contest title as a memorial.   He was the first Chairman on the NSSAR Oration Committee, serving in this capacity for five years.

In honor of a Florida SAR member, this Oratorical event was renamed the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Oration Contest.  For many years this Compatriot has shown an active interest in the welfare of youth and has been a creative promoter of this contest.  The contest is designed to explore the influence of the Revolutionary war on present day America.

Purpose Of The National Contest

  • To support historical research in our high schools by promoting oratorical presentations related to our Revolutionary War period 1750-1800.
  • To emphasize American History to the high school student and focus on and intelligent relationship between the past and the present.
  • To place a positive emphasis on the plans of our founding fathers.

For more information and contest rules, please visit the National SAR site by clicking here.