Day 13 of 110: Today’s DAR

(Originally Published Sunday, January 26, 2014 – Blogger: One Daughter’s Point of View)

Today, our chapter meets September – May each year. While there are no scheduled chapter meetings in June, July and August, our chapter members are exceptionally active with District Meetings, Continental Congress, committee workshops and in general performing community service work in the areas of Patriotism, Historic Preservation and Education.

But a chapter with a 110-year-old legacy definitely has an evolution of activities. The chapter was always exceptionally involved in both state and national work, with several ladies from our chapter serving as the North Carolina State Regent. And our first two Chapter Regents – Mrs. Lucy Patterson and Mrs. Kate Bitting Reynolds – were both elected to serve as Vice Presidents General in the National Society. But it’s clear that in July 1918, the ladies were meeting in the summer and were involved in local work to support the war effort during World War I.

July Meeting 1918

The July meeting of the Joseph Winston Chapter, DAR was held at the home of Miss May Dalton, with Mrs. John Gilmer presiding. Mrs. Ludlow read resolutions adopted by the twenty-seventh Continental Congress urging members of all the chapters to wear their insignia while doing the war work – and – to stand at attention during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

An interesting report of all war work was read at this meeting. A letter from Mrs. Morrison was also read; this letter urging the members to give complete reports of all war work – and – also to contribute $1.00 per capita towards the Fourth Liberty Loan. The free will offering for the chapter amounted to 80 cents.

After a pleasant social hour, the meeting adjourned to meet in August with Miss Ada Dalton.

While the meeting schedule may be different, the projects remain constant. In 1918 the chapter members were obviously working on projects related to World War I. Today’s DAR supports military and their families involved in current conflicts abroad via the Project Patriot Committee. Today’s DAR and the Colonel Joseph Winston Chapter remain strong and vibrant, continuing the work begun 110 years ago for the modern era.