The Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter was organized on November 17, 1923. State Regent, Amy Gilbert, was a guest and spoke about the Daughters of the American Revolution. At the suggestion of Grace Harsh, it was decided to name the chapter for her grandmother, Nancy McKay Harsh. Her father, William McKay, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

The ladies began working right away and by 1928, they had placed their first large stone with a DAR marker on it at Mt. Pisgah, where the Mormons had settled during their trek to Salt Lake City. On June 14, 1928, they unveiled the monument; and on the same day, the chapter dedicated a Real Daughter marker at Nancy McKay Harsh's grave in Graceland Cemetery, Creston, Iowa.

There are currently forty-nine members plus two associates in the chapter, and the active members reside in eight southern Iowa counties. There are also members in many other states including the countries of Canada and Australia. Due to the severe Iowa winters, and the distance some members travel, we do not have meetings during January and February. Meetings in July and August have been added to our schedule.

Chapter programs encompass the patriotic, historic, and educational themes. Members enjoy the roll calls each month that are related to the programs, and feel they become more acquainted with each other by hearing about our pasts, our likes, and our feelings.

Each year, we participate in Constitution Week and sponsor: the DAR Good Citizens Award, American History Essay Contest and Christopher Columbus Essay Contest. Members attend national, state, and district meetings and take part in as many of the DAR activities and projects as possible.

We are proud to belong to DAR!