The Shenandoah Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, is named
for the town in which it resides. Some of the early settlers
say that Shenandoah got its name from the Shenandoah in Virginia,
where there is a similarity between the Shenandoah Valley in
Virginia and the Nishnabotna Valley in Iowa. Shenandoah is also the Indian name
meaning “Daughter of the Stars.”
The vision for
organizing a DAR chapter in Shenandoah began when Jeanette
Ralston came to live in Shenandoah with her husband, Forrest.
Jeanette had been active in the DAR in Illinois. Here, she met new
friends who were interested in their Revolutionary ancestors and in
their country. They were eager to have a chapter in Shenandoah.
The first meeting was held March 15, 1922 at the home of Mrs.
Ralston who lived on Crose Court, the block between West and Church
Streets. The chapter charter was issued February 26, 1930.
Through the years the chapter has had many projects.
We placed a marker on the grave of Chief Waubonsie; reset
old tombstones in Manti Cemetery; placed a DAR marker on the grave
of each deceased member of our chapter; placed a marker on the grave
of Daniel Dow, who is believed to be the only Revolutionary War
soldier buried in Page County, and send money and clothing to help
support DAR schools.
Each February, the Shenandoah Chapter honors the students
chosen for the Good Citizen award from Shenandoah and from four
surrounding high schools. From these five, one name is chosen to be
sent to the Southwest Iowa District competition. Our chapter has
been honored to have several District winners represent Southwest
Iowa at State Conference. We are also proud to be the chapter
host of the State DAR Good Citizen Winner in 1952, 1969, and 1997.
Each year our chapter has had a decorated car in the
Memorial Day parade, and participated in the service at the local
cemetery by giving tribute to all veterans ‑ from Revolutionary to
the present day ‑ and placing a wreath on the grave of the Unknown
Soldier.
From 1967 ‑ 1985, we sponsored an antique show
and sale in the spring to make money for our DAR projects.
In the 1960s, our chapter had a great interest in
saving and refurbishing the Iowa Room in our DAR Museum in
Washington, D.C., under the direction of Mabel Rapp and assisted by
Grace Brown and Marie McMichael. We gave a valuable painting in
honor of Mabel Rapp.
It is a tradition for Waubonsie Chapter of Clarinda
and Shenandoah Chapter to meet together in June to celebrate Flag
Day. The two chapters take turns entertaining for this event.
Shenandoah Chapter has been honored to have several
members as State Officers. They are:
-
Ruth Adams, State Librarian,
1938-1940 & State Recording Secretary, 1940-1942
-
Grace Brown, State
Organizing Secretary, 1956‑58
-
Marie McMichael, State Chaplain,
1958‑1960, State Vice‑Regent, 1960‑1962, State Regent, 1962-1964, &
Co‑Chairman of the DAR Museum & Iowa Room Committee
-
Esther
Williams, State Organizing Secretary, 1970‑1972
-
Verna Davis,
Historian, 1978‑1980, Corresponding Secretary, 1980‑1982
-
Dorothy
Walter, Organizing Secretary, 1988‑1990, Historian, 1990‑1992
-
Rosemary Fichter, Registrar, 1992‑1994, Recording Secretary
1994‑1996, State Vice‑Regent, 1996‑1998, State Regent, 1998‑2000.
- Linda Hopkins, State Historian, 2010-2012, State Treasurer 2012-2014
Serving as District Directors were:
-
Mrs. Roy Whigham, 1976‑1978
-
Bernice Lynn, 1980‑1982
-
Verna Davis, 1984‑1986
-
Rosemary Fichter,
1988‑1992
-
Dorothy Walter, 1994‑1996
- Linda Hopkins, 2008-2010
|
