GREENVILLE -The Fort GreeneVille Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The chapter was formed on Jan. 21, 1922.
“I think it’s impressive that a group can stay around that long,” said Fort GreeneVille Chapter Regent Chris Nehring.
The motto of the organization is “God, Home and Country,” and it’s objectives include historic preservation, patriotism and education, wrote Vice Regent Debbie Nisonger in an email to The Daily Advocate.
Throughout the year, DAR members carry out their objectives in the community in several ways.
“Yearly activities include donations to local veterans and Dayton Veterans Hospital; commemorating Constitution Week, Flag Day and Memorial Day; literacy activities; Annie Oakley Festival Parade; commemorative events; student essay contests; ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) award; and numerous other community activities,” wrote Nisonger.
Recently, the local chapter participated in Memorial Hall’s centennial celebration, giving tours of the hall and holding an afternoon tea at the St. Clair Manor.
Every two years, the chapter gives a scholarship to one senior high school student in Darke County, according to Nehring.
In celebration of the 90th anniversary, in June, the group will hold a luncheon at Turtle Creek Golf Course, followed by a flag ceremony at the Studabaker Schoolhouse on State Route 49, said Nehring.
The chapter owns the schoolhouse, which was donated to the Fort GreeneVille chapter in 1934. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, according to Nisonger.
The chapter maintains the historic schoolhouse, and currently rents it to the Treaty City Amateur Radio Association, according to Doris Aultman, registrar, recording secretary and 25-year member of the chapter.
History and its preservation are a large part of the organization. Aultman said she joined the chapter because she enjoys the history and genealogy.
Nehring, who’s retired from the Air Force, said she likes that the chapter donates to veterans and also enjoys the historical aspect. In addition, she enjoys dressing in colonial era clothing for some of the events the chapter does.
“I love that part,” said Nehring of the costumes. “I would love to do it more.”
Today, the chapter has 69 members, and is looking for more. In order to become a member, one must be female and be able to prove her lineage back to an American Revolution patriot, according to Aultman.
One doesn’t have to live in Darke County to become a member of the chapter. The chapter has members from all over the country, including Oklahoma, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, Nehring said.
“Usually, its somebody who’s been here [in Darke County] or their family’s from here,” said Nehring.
Of the 69 members, there’s currently about 20-25 local, active members, according to Aultman.
There is also a similar national organization for men, the Sons of the American Revolution, and one for children, Children of the American Revolution. Of the three organizations, only DAR has a local chapter in the county, according to Nehring.
Moving into the future, Nehring and Aultman said they would like to see more women join the local DAR chapter.
“I would like to see it grow. I think if we could get more people in and more people visible, I think we could do a lot of good things,” said Nehring.
To learn more about the national DAR organization, visit www.DAR.org. To learn about membership to the Fort GreeneVille Chapter, email fortgvchapter@yahoo.com or call Doris Aultman at 548-8174.
Those who are interested in learning more about the local DAR chapter may also attend the chapter’s meet and greet at Brenda’s Beanery on Broadway in Greenville tomorrow evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
