Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter, NSDAR

What is our Chapter's History?

During Nona Lowrey Allen's term of office, 1953-1955, guidelines and formats were established for the new chapter's future programs and projects. Standing committees were set up and by-laws established. Much research on genealogical records was done and family lineages were compiled. Emphasis was placed on national defense and aid to approved schools and the chapter presented the first of its annual Good Citizenship awards.

Nancy Cornelison Moore served as Regent 1955-1957. Under her leadership, the chapter became actively interested in patriotic education in the Arlington schools and began the presentation of awards for patriotic endeavor, a program which has expanded through the years. A very successful Constitution Week observation, which served as a guideline for such future annual events, was climaxed with the awarding of cash prizes to students for best essays on What the Constitution of the United States means to me. A project of significance to the city was undertaken when historic sites in or around Arlington were sought out and a DAR marker was placed at the site of the Old Stage Coach Inn, where horse-drawn stages running between Dallas and Fort Worth in the late 1880s stopped overnight. The chapter sponsored the General Peter Forney Society, C.A.R., which was organized in March 1957 with eight charter members.

Fern Wilson Fleetwood was Regent 1957-1959 and during her term, the first of the annual Junior American Citizen awards were presented.

Monday, February 10, 1958 Receiving Line at DAR Tea Thursday Extending a welcome to 170 guests at the DAR George Washington Tea Thursday were officers of Lucretia Council Cochran chapter and visiting state officers. Mrs. W.I. Fleetwood, regent, and Mrs, Martin Wolfe, hostess, are in foreground, right to left, and reading down line are Mmes. J.E. Riggs of Graham, W.E. Huster of Fort Worth, A.E. Hudspeth of Dallas and Mmes. Sam Owens, Jerra Wilcox, Grover Pierce, Preston Nimmo, H.V. Moore, R.H. Binney, J.T. Riley and Charles Ashworth _ Arlington Citizen Journal

India Kerr Arnett served briefly in 1959 and was followed by Elizabeth Hall Wilcox, 1959-1961. Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter was hostess chapter to the Division meeting in 1959.

From 1961 to 1963, Marjorie Cook Goodwin was Regent. National defense and conservation were stressed during her term with members being urged to participate in tree planting and soil conservation. Copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were presented to the schools in 1961 and copies of the pamphlet, What the Constitution Means to You, were presented in 1962.

During the term of Jessie May Harry Rau, 1963-1965, the chapter expanded its role in civic affairs. The first Americanism Medal was presented to Dr. Ivan Taborsky of the Arlington State College faculty. As the city and schools were growing so too were the number of awards, pins and certificates presented by the chapter to students. Framed American History certificates were awarded to outstanding eighth grade students in all schools. Graves of several members were sought and marked. Copies of a book, Tarrant County Cemetery Record Vol. 6s, compiled by Nancy Cornelison Moore and Mrs. R.F. Binney, were contributed to NSDAR, TXDAR and the Fort Worth Public Libraries. The annual DAR Molly Pitcher Award, given for "outstanding reverence, patriotism, service, trustworthiness and helpfulness" to a Camp Fire group and Girl Scout group in the Arlington district, was established. The framed certificate, designed by a commercial artist, shows a picture of Molly Pitcher, the DAR emblem and Camp Fire or Girl Scout emblem.

Mary Frances Hopkins Clare followed as Regent 1965-1966 and Helen Harrison Courtney, 1966-1967. During this time a genealogical and historical shelf was installed at the Arlington Memorial Library, with memorials to be placed on the shelf from time to time, the first such memorial being Tennessee Revolutionary War Pensioners and Other Patriotic Record, by Carl W. McGhea. Other contributions for the shelf included a subscription to the DAR Magazine, In Washington, the DAR Story and Early Connecticut Probate Records, given by Mrs. Buford C. Curtis in the name of the Texas Genealogical Society.

Sarah Margaret Claypoole Willoughby served as Regent 1967-1969. The chapter joined the Peter Forney Society, C.A.R. for a Flag Day celebration, and what was to become an annual participation in the city-wide Fourth of July celebration. The Americanism Medal was presented to Mrs. Lorna Kane, a naturalized Canadian and dedicated physiotherapist, during the Constitution Week dinner. The September 1967 issue of the DAR Magazine carried the address of the chapter's 1966 Constitution Week speaker, Mr. George Hawkes, as its lead article. More research books, including the DAR Patriot's Index, were placed on the genealogical shelf at the library, along with the renewal of the DAR Magazine and binders for past issues. Copies of In Washington, the DAR Story, were given to each local high school library.

During the term of Gertrude Fenimore Ford, 1969-1971, an annual ROTC Medal to a student at the University of Texas at Arlington and also ROTC Medals for students from each high school, were added to the list of medals and awards now annually presented in the schools. Lucretia Council Cochran was hostess chapter to the Division meeting in September 1970. State DAR officers, here for the Division meeting, attended and participated in the Constitution Week dinner program, during which the Americanism Medal was presented to Peter Henz, a naturalized German who, working in the school system, has for many years been a friend and inspiration to thousands of students.

Marilyn Wade McFall Parker, the 1971-1973 Regent of Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter, emphasized American History Education. In keeping with NSDAR's designation of February as American History Month, the chapter began placing American History exhibits in the public libraries and local malls during the entire month of February each year, featuring pertinent art work from students in the local schools.

Frances Bennett Barnes was Regent 1973-1975. During her term Mrs. Barnes chose as her goal the chapter's most ambitious, and probably most successful, project – our cookbook, Arlington's Treasured Recipes. With the American Bicentennial Celebration coming up in 1976 and, coincidentally the City of Arlington's Centennial Celebration falling in the same year, Mrs. Barnes recommended that Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter undertake the considerable task of assembling and publishing a cookbook as our commemorative gift to serve for both occasions. The theme of the book was to be a history of the City of Arlington, and interspersed throughout the pages were to be brief histories of all the pioneer families of the city. Many months of historical research and collection and testing of recipes by the entire chapter membership followed. After completion of the project, the perseverance and diligence of these women, again with the support and cooperation of all chapter members, assured the continuing success of this endeavor.

The Regent in 1975 was Louise Yocum Shallcross. The LCCC cookbook was reprinted. It was featured in the Houston Chronicle and requested by the Austin State Library. The Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter was among hostess chapters for the State Conference in Ft. Worth, where the cookbook received first place in the Bicentennial Project competition for the state of Texas.

Jeannette Montague King served briefly as regent in 1976. The chapter continued selling its cookbook, Arlington's Treasured Recipes.

Vesta Yeargin Kitchell served as Regent 1976-1980. A Teacher of the Year program was initiated in which an American History Teacher from one of the high schools would be selected annually, to be honored as our guest and presented a certificate and gift from the chapter. Also, a change in the method of distribution of students' awards was made at this time. Instead of leaving the presentations to the principals of various schools, members began attending the school assemblies and personally bestowing the honors, along with a few words of congratulations and praise on behalf of the chapter.

Beth Smith Spencer was the regent 1980-1982. The chapter hosted a Flag Day Luncheon, celebrated Constitution Week and hosted a Division Tour Meeting and bazaar to benefit Kate Duncan Smith and Tamassee, DAR supported schools.

The Regent 1982-1984 was Ozella Neely Harper. During her term, the chapter continued traditions of honoring Constitution Week, holding a George Washington Tea, promoting American History month, attending Continental Congress, recognizing outstanding students and fundraising for DAR supported schools.

The Regent 1984-1988 many projects. Some of the special projects were holding a garage sale to benefit school projects, presenting awards to 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th grade students in AISD, recognizing the History Teacher of the Year and celebrating Constitution Week, George Washington and Flag Day.

Harriet Kathryn Seaman was Regent 1988-1992. Following her installation, the chapter celebrated Flag Day with a Proclamation from the Mayor and cadets raising the flag. Mrs. Seaman hosted a celebration of Past Regents in July and participated in the 4th of July parade. Monthly programs included US Rep. Richard Armey, Jane Ellis, retired choral director, The Education of Little Tree presented by Helen Green and a skit, "Battle of King's Mountain."

Regent 1992-1996 was Margaret Winifred Seaman. The chapter participated in the July 4th parade, attended a Naturalization ceremony at UT Arlington, learned about the Southwest Regional Archives, hosted the annual George Washington Tea and held a Constitution Day Dinner.

Margaret McCaughan Karthauser served as Regent 1996-2000. The chapter carried on the traditions of awards in all Arlington schools including a scholarship to one student from each high school, visiting veterans in local nursing homes and giving flags to each new school in Arlington.

Jane Moody Oehler was Regent 2000-2002.The chapter purchased books to be given to the Arlington Public Library, continued to sell cookbooks to raise scholarship funds, celebrated Constitution Week with a luncheon, honored Korean war veterans with certificates and pins, created a wall hanging for the American Heritage contest, sent Valentines to Veteran's Hospital in Dallas, held the annual George Washington Tea, gave copies of the Flag Code and flag pins to naturalized citizens, awarded students who wrote outstanding essays and honored the History Teacher of the Year.

Gaitha Roberts Singleton was Regent 2002-2004.

The Regent 2004-2006 was Joy Hahn Watkins.

2006-2010. Members learned that all Arlington Treasured Recipes in storage in Tennessee were lost in a tornado. Scrapbooks were donated to UT at Arlington Library's Special Collections, donations were collected for Fisher House at Dallas VA Medical Hospital, celebrated Constitution Week with a luncheon and a library display, presented awards for Good Citizens, American History Essay Contest, Outstanding Teacher of American History, JROTC and Sea Cadets, held a prospective members workshop and collected Family Bible records.

2010-2014. Members of the chapter created homemade quilts for returning soldiers. U.S. Flags and U.S. Flag pins were distributed in schools. A Commemorative Dinner Celebrating Constitution Week and observing the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11 was held. The chapter continued to award scholarships and JROTC medals, collected coupons for military families, visited veterans in nursing homes, participated in Stand Down serving homeless veterans and provided books to Arlington public schools.

2014-2018. Members of the chapter created a quilted wall hanging that received a First Place award. Money was collected and presented to Bacone College. Members participated in the annual observance of adding new names to the wall at the National Vietnam War Museum, participated in Wreaths Across America, presented a program about the American flag to second-graders in Arlington public schools, rang bells for Constitution Week, awarded a scholarship, participated in Stand Down, attended funerals for homeless veterans, read to school children, visited veterans in nursing homes, cleaned and repaired tombstones in a historical cemetery, collected coupons for military families, sent Box Tops to Tamassee School, and hosted a Lineage Society Fair.

2018-2022 During her first term, members of the chapter contributed anough supplies to fill 16 large boxes donated to elementary teachers. Fifteen caps and gloves and two hoodies were also delivered. We donated over 4,000 books to schools, shelters and churches. For the 5th year, we thanked our first responders with gift bags. Additionally we delivered gift bags to veterans in nursing homes. Our chapter provided 42 scarves to Liberty House and 43 pillows to chemotherapy patients. Our colony teams combined with commemorative events. The DAR Service for Veterans Committee began working on a monument to be placed at Veterans Park to honor the soldiers of the American Revolution. An MIA/POW notebook was compiled sharing stories from our Daughters. A memorial service for our chapter's ancestors was held for the first time. We created a book club. We submitted our first nomination for the Women in the Arts Award. We gave a $5000 donation to Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds for tombstone preservation and restoration. We were successful in building friendships, connecting with members and increasing volunteers. Our merger with the Texas Bluebonnet Chapter was completed.

2022-Present 2022 was a banner year for the Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter. Committees cleaned tombstones, crafted ornaments, animals, and poppies, and maintained the Arlington Pollinator Garden. Veterans were honored with giftbags and tied blankets, a Never Forget Garden memorial, and a ceremony recognizing women in service. Patriotism was shared through Constitution Week displays in libraries, a Flag Play presentation for second graders, and honoring first responders with buckets of treats. Education was enhanced with classroom tutoring, lessons and supplies. Our chapter's Outstanding Teacher of the Year placed first in the state and third nationally! Over 200 people attended a chapter sponsored Lineage Fair and 6 new members joined our chapter. Workshops on DNA and adding supplemental ancestors created more interest in genealogical discoveries. Celebrations were held featuring 1700's cake recipes at the George Washington Tea and the Book Club commemorated 125 Years of the DAR Library. America 250! project challenged members to do 25 acts of patriotism twice a year. The Wreaths Across America initiative became a yearlong effort as we identified 877 veterans, created cemetery maps, trained 30 Block Captains, and raised $14,060. Lucretia Council Cochran Chapter members sparkled while logging over 7900 hours for Service to America.