Our History
Lest We Forget -- Our Beginning and Rich History
Over one hundred years ago, a determined group of patriotic ladies met to organize a new chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Two ladies, in particular, were at the forefront of founding the chapter. Bessie Smith Parker (Mrs. John W. Parker) is credited with organizing the chapter with a meeting at her home on May 24, 1913. On October 1, 1913, Pearl Wallis Knox (Mrs. Robert W. Knox) was named as organizing regent of the new John Mc Knitt Alexander Chapter, NSDAR, which was named after her Patriot. During this first year, the chapter voted to recognize May 20 as their anniversary date, to coincide and recognize the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of which John Mc Knitt Alexander was secretary and had signed on May 20, 1775.
Mrs. Knox with then Regent Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Parker (1938).
With the onset of the first world war, these DAR members enthusiastically participated in DAR efforts to sell War Bonds, rebuild a French village destroyed during the conflict, and “adopt” 28 French children whose fathers died in The Great War. The chapter also donated a beautifully designed bronze urn, placed at the Cenotaph memorial, then in front of old city hall and now located at John B. Connally Plaza in Sam Houston Park, in honor of the Gold Star Mothers. The chapter continues to hold a commemorative event at the cenotaph and urn annually on or around Veterans Day.
Chapter Regents at the Cenotaph Rededication.
After the war, the chapter shifted its attention to education, raising $5000 for the first permanently endowed scholarship for students at the new Rice Institute (Rice University), given in 1922. The chapter also made two donations to the newly opened Museum of Fine Arts Houston in recognition of our member, Mrs. Henry B. Fall, who was President of the Museum’s predecessor organization (The Art League of Houston) from ground-breaking to the opening of the new museum (1916-1924).
Mrs. Henry B. Fall from The Keys to the City of Houston (1908).
John Mc Knitt Alexander Chapter, NSDAR, was also the home chapter for two Texas State Regents: Loretta Grim Thomas (1952-1955) and Julia Shepherd Hubbard (1970-1973).
The John Mc Knitt Alexander Chapter, NSDAR, continues to support educational, women's, and patriotic causes, as well as historical preservation. For the past several years for the DAR National Day of Service, chapter members have volunteered at Books Between Kids which provides summer reading books for underserved elementary children in Houston. We support our active servicemen and women and veterans — today's Patriots — in our support for Fisher House, the Veterans Administration (VA), and with care packages to members of the armed forces on the front lines. The chapter participates annually with other Houston-area chapters in Flag Day, Constitution Week, DAR Good Citizens awards to high school seniors, National Defense awards to Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets, and naturalization events.
In the chapter’s second 100 years, we remain dedicated to the goals and ideals of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and to the advancement of the historical, educational, and patriotic objectives of the Society.
Chapter Meeting