The Spinning Wheel DAR Chapter was chartered December 20, 1898, and Marshalltown Chapter DAR was chartered February 3, 1903. The two chapters merged on March 6, 1964, as Spinning Wheel Chapter.

The chapter first selected the name "Dorothy Quincy" for no particular reason, but when it was sent in, were informed there was already a chapter by that name.  The husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Root Spears suggested "Spinning Wheel" and it was unanimously adopted, simply because the chapter liked it.  The spinning wheel was a common hand or foot-driven tool in the colonial era which helped spin yarn or thread.

Marshalltown, Iowa, where the chapter resides, was so named because it was nearest the center of the county of Marshall, and said county was named Marshall in the year 1849 in honor of John Marshall, Fourth Chief Justice of the United States.

First Marshall County Courthouse

Marietta, located approximately five miles northwest of Marshalltown, became the first county seat of Marshall County in 1851. After several elections and court battles, Marshall (now Marshalltown) became the county seat and on December 31, 1859, the records from the courthouse in Marietta were brought to Marshalltown. The old courthouse in Marietta was later moved to Marshalltown and served as a store and residence. The Spinning Wheel Chapter DAR marked the old courthouse site on June 14, 1976, with an inscribed bronze plaque mounted on a native stone.  The marker is located in the south segment of Timmons Grove County Park located on State Highway 330, approximately 2 miles south of Albion.

Site of First Log Cabin in Marshalltown

In 1851, Henry Anson built the first log cabin home in Marshall - now known as Marshalltown. Anson was one of those residents who was active in the effort of getting the county seat moved from Marietta to Marshall. The site where his log cabin stood was marked with an inscribed bronze plaque by the Spinning Wheel Chapter. The marker is located in Marshall County at 112 West Main Street in Marshalltown, Iowa. A bronze plate on the wall between the Shallmar Restaurant and a jewelry store marks the site where the old log cabin once stood.

Glick Memorial: American Legion Building

Frank Lewis Glick, the son of a Marshalltown businessman, was killed at Belleau Woods, France, in World War I. As a memorial, the American Legion building in Marshalltown was named in his honor. The Spinning Wheel Chapter DAR placed a bronze tablet with an engraved inscription inside the American Legion building on May 18, 1929.

Log Cabin Honoring Pioneers

The William C. Ruddick log cabin was built around 1856. The Spinning Wheel Chapter DAR selected the cabin as a symbol honoring the pioneers who came to Marshall County. The site was marked June 8, 1996.  The cabin and marker are approximately 15 miles northwest of Marshalltown.  From Marshalltown, drive west on either Summit Street or West Main Street to State Highway 330. Turn right on State Highway 330 and drive north to County Road E-29. Turn left (west) and drive about 4 1/2 miles, then turn right (north) on County Road S-52 and drive another 4 miles to County Road E-23. Turn right onto a gravel road and drive east less than a mile to Mormon Ridge Road. The Ruddick log cabin is in the southeast intersection.