National Archives

George Washington Chapter

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Galveston, Texas




CHAPTER HISTORY

The George Washington Chapter was organized June 17, 1895, when twenty women met in the home of Mrs. George Seeligson in Galveston, Texas. It was the first Texas chapter and holds the distinction of being older than the Texas State Organization.

The organizing Regent was Mrs. Julia Washington Fontaine, a descendant of Col. Samuel Washington and brother to our nation's first President.  Miss Eugenia Washington, the first member of DAR, was also a descendant and transferred her membership to the George Washington Chapter in 1899. She was one of four members of the Washington family who held membership in the chapter. The chapter is fortunate to number among its artifacts a gavel with its head made from the wood of the Concord Bridge, the handle made from wood from the floor of Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge and a silver band from a spoon belonging to George Washington with the initial "W"" on the end.

Among other firsts, the chapter was the first to contribute to the Mount Vernon restoration project; a chapter member established the first home for aged women in Galveston and during the signing of the Armistice in November, 1918, Mrs. Ethel Hilton, as chapter representative, was the first to place a wreath at the base of the Washington-Lafayette Monument in France. The chapter also organized the first volunteer unit of the American Red Cross in Galveston during World War I.

The chapter has worked through the years to fulfill all of the NSDAR's primary objectives of perpetuating our American heritage and fostering patriotism. The Chapter has forty-seven past regents with two serving two terms.

OBJECT:

 "Where Liberty dwells there is my Country"

MEETINGS:

The Chapter meets from September to May on the third Saturday of each month. A George Washington Tea is held in February to honor History Essay and Good Citizens students. There are occasions when the meeting date will be changed.

 

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