Atlanta Chapter, NSDAR                     

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Chapter, NSDAR
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Chapter History

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on October 11, 1890.
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison was the first President General.
The first chapter chartered was the Chicago Chapter on March 20, 1891.

On April 15, 1891, the Atlanta Chapter received its charter;

the first in the state, the second in the nation.

The charter members were:

 

  • Mrs. Martha Berrien Duncan, who had been appointed Honorary Regent of Georgia and directed to organize a chapter
  • Miss Junia McKinley
  • Mrs. Henry R. Jackson
  • Mrs. Hoke Smith
  • Mrs. McKinley Bussey
  • Miss Sarah Francis Gran (later Mrs. John M. Slaton)
  • Mrs. Samuel Scott
  • Mrs. Porter King
  • Mrs. Jane L. Byers
  • Mrs. Robert E. Brown
  • Mrs. Hugh Hagan
  • Mrs. William Lawson Peel
Mrs. Henry R. Jackson was elected the first chapter regent. Under her
leadership, the historical and social work of the organization progressed
quickly. Mrs. Jackson also served as Regent for the state society.

Another Chapter Regent, Mrs. Porter King, Sr., also served as State Regent. It was largely through her influence that Augusta's "Meadow Garden," home of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Georgia, was purchased by the national organization.

 

For over a century (1890-2007), a tradition of service to the nation can be best understood by reading the full history of the Atlanta Chapter (always a work in progress), yet it can be stated that the objectives of 

  1. historic research/preservaton
  2. fostering patriotic ethics
  3. promoting education in the above to create an enlightened citizenry have been pursued.
A few of the chapter's activities have included:


  • Provision of patriotic educational materials and flags to schools or other groups
  • Promotion of the Good Citizenship program and recognition of Good Citizens
  • Provision of citizenship manuals for the U.S. Center for Immigration Services
  • Copying thousands of Revolutionary War and other genealogical records
  • Support of the U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Iraq War
  • Contribution of monies and personal time to Veteran-Patient Services
  • Contributions to the reconstruction of a French village, as well as both the Serbian and Armenian Relief
  • Scholarly pursuit of historical research resulting in published papers
  • Sponsorship of events to heighten the awareness of Constitution Week and American History Month
  • Sponsorship of the Dolly Madison Society, Children of the American Revolution
    Note: The local chapter of the Dolly Madison Society was disbanded in the 1970s. The local chapter of Sons and Daughters of Liberty Society, C.A.R., was organized in the 1900s and was disbanded in 2006.
  • Hosting several state conferences and district meetings
  • Provision of leadership on both the state and national levels
  • Promotion of the Good Citizenship program and recognition of Good Citizens
  • Provision of citizenship manuals for the U.S. Center for Immigration Services
  • Copying thousands of Revolutionary War and other genealogical records
  • Support of the U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Iraq War
  • Contribution of monies and personal time to Veteran-Patient Services
  • Contributions to the reconstruction of a French village, as well as both the Serbian and Armenian Relief
  • Scholarly pursuit of historical research resulting in published papers
  • Sponsorship of events to heighten the awareness of Constitution Week and American History Month
  • Sponsorship of the Dolly Madison Society, Children of the American Revolution
    Note: The local chapter of the Dolly Madison Society was disbanded in the 1970s. The local chapter of Sons and Daughters of Liberty Society, C.A.R., was organized in the 1900s and was disbanded in 2006.
  • Hosting several state conferences and district meetings
  • Provision of leadership on both the state and national levels
  • Promotion of the Good Citizenship program and recognition of Good Citizens
  • Provision of citizenship manuals for the U.S. Center for Immigration Services
  • Copying thousands of Revolutionary War and other genealogical records
  • Support of the U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Iraq War
  • Contribution of monies and personal time to Veteran-Patient Services
  • Contributions to the reconstruction of a French village, as well as both the Serbian and Armenian Relief
  • Scholarly pursuit of historical research resulting in published papers
  • Sponsorship of events to heighten the awareness of Constitution Week and American History Month
  • Sponsorship of the Dolly Madison Society, Children of the American Revolution
    Note: The local chapter of the Dolly Madison Society was disbanded in the 1970s. The local chapter of Sons and Daughters of Liberty Society, C.A.R., was organized in the 1900s and was disbanded in 2006.
  • Hosting several state conferences and district meetings
  • Provision of leadership on both the state and national levels
  • Promotion of the Good Citizenship program and recognition of Good Citizens
  • Provision of citizenship manuals for the U.S. Center for Immigration Services
  • Copying thousands of Revolutionary War and other genealogical records
  • Support of the U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Iraq War
  • Contribution of monies and personal time to Veteran-Patient Services
  • Contributions to the reconstruction of a French village, as well as both the Serbian and Armenian Relief
  • Scholarly pursuit of historical research resulting in published papers
  • Sponsorship of events to heighten the awareness of Constitution Week and American History Month
  • Sponsorship of the Dolly Madison Society, Children of the American Revolution
    Note: The local chapter of the Dolly Madison Society was disbanded in the 1970s. The local chapter of Sons and Daughters of Liberty Society, C.A.R., was organized in the 1900s and was disbanded in 2006.
  • Hosting several state conferences and district meetings
  • Provision of leadership on both the state and national levels
  • Promotion of the Good Citizenship program and recognition of Good Citizens
  • Provision of citizenship manuals for the U.S. Center for Immigration Services
  • Copying thousands of Revolutionary War and other genealogical records
  • Support of the U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Iraq War
  • Contribution of monies and personal time to Veteran-Patient Services
  • Contributions to the reconstruction of a French village, as well as both the Serbian and Armenian Relief
  • Scholarly pursuit of historical research resulting in published papers
  • Sponsorship of events to heighten the awareness of Constitution Week and American History Month
  • Sponsorship of the Dolly Madison Society, Children of the American Revolution
    Note: The local chapter of the Dolly Madison Society was disbanded in the 1970s. The local chapter of Sons and Daughters of Liberty Society, C.A.R., was organized in the 1900s and was disbanded in 2006.
  • Hosting several state conferences and district meetings
  • Provision of leadership on both the state and national levels

 

 

 

 

Accompanying these activities was the acquisition of a chapter house, the Craigie House, with its pursuant responsibilities. Information about the Craigie House can be found here.

In spite of these obligations, the chapter continues to meet stated NSDAR goals.  Funds are contributed yearly to Kate Duncan-Smith DAR School,  Tamassee DAR School, Berry College, and other school projects, as well as to various scholarship programs and scholastic awards programs, including ROTC and JROTC programs.

In 1916, a memorial fountain was erected at the intersections of Peachtree and Fifteenth streets, not far from the Craigie House. The memorial fountain, now in custodial care of the city, stands as a symbol of the education, historic, and patriotic work of the Atlanta Chapter, NSDAR.

In 1922, a granite monument was placed at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Palisades, marking the junction of the Indian trails, Echota and Peachtree.

Our most precious relic is a wooden gavel made from a tree alongside the grave of Patrick Henry. It was given to the chapter in the winter of 1895. It was offered to be used at the opening of the first Continental Congress, held in NSDAR's new Memorial Hall in Washington, D.C., but was not. The gavel has been used by many noble people at numerous events, including the opening of the Jamestown Exposition and the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson.

The wooden gavel was used at the 2009 Georgia State Conference.

Meetings of the Atlanta Chapter, NSDAR are held in the Atlanta area. The public is welcome and no one is excluded from membership if they come from a descendant of the American Revolution. Meetings are held the second Saturday from September through May. Topics of the meeting include American History, DAR Schools, National Defense, American Heritage, American Indians, and Conservation.

Our American heritage is to be revered. It is also to serve as an inspiration; challenging us to achieve even more and to extend that heritage to all of humankind in need of the blessings of liberty.

We do have a goodly heritage.

     The DAR insignia is the property of, and is copyrighted by,
    the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

    Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of
    the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters. 

    Last Updated: June 5, 2010 by Webmaster

     

     

    Atlanta Chapter, NSDAR
    Atlanta, GA