Jane Douglas
Chapter was formed in the 19th Century; endured through the
20th Century; and entered the 21st with the strength of
105 years of chapter history and the confidence of those American Revolutionary
War patriots whose spirit this chapter honors.
Jane Douglas
Chapter was formed 19 October 1895, the first DAR chapter in Dallas and second
DAR chapter in Texas.
Cornelia
Jamison Henry (Mrs. John L.) was founding regent. Cornelia Henrys
qualifying patriot ancestor, William Downs, was the son of Henry Downs and Jane
Douglas, for whom the chapter was named. Mrs. Henry served as chapter
regent from 1895-1901.
Texas Society
of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in 1900 during the
Texas State Fair in Dallas. Jane Douglas Chapter was hostess to the first three
state conferences. Cornelia Henry also served as the first Texas
State Regent from 1902-1904 as have six other chapter members. Mrs. Henry
died in August 1904 while still in office and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery
in Dallas. In 2001, the chapter honored the founding regent with a DAR
insignia marker.
Beginning with
the Spanish-American War and the Galveston flood, Jane Douglas Chapter has been
active in war and disaster relief. During World War II, members volunteered for
the Red Cross and USO, donated blood, and furnished the recreation room at Camp
Howz. This work continues today as the chapter provides items to the VA
Hospital, Fisher House, and the Veterans Resource Center in Dallas.
We take special
pride in providing the Jeannette Baldwin Stanbery Scholarship Endowment Fund at
Southern Methodist University.
In the spirit
of community service, Jane Douglas Chapter supports programs within the Dallas
Independent School District.
Chapter
meetings are held in the beautiful colonial style CONTINENTAL DAR HOUSE located
in Dallas Fair Park Campus. The house was a gift to Jane Douglas
Chapter from Continental Oil Company following the 1936 Texas Centennial and
1937 Pan-American Exposition celebrations at Fair Park. The House's
Museum also contains the ELIZABETH WRIGHT LIBRARY (named in October 1995 to
honor Miss Wrights lifetime of service and dedication to DAR). It
contains more than two thousand genealogical reference books and
periodicals. During 1999-2000 all books were computer - catalogued with a
Library of Congress number. The library is available by appointment
to members and guests.
The Chapter
celebrated its 100th Anniversary with great fanfare in
1995.
Moving forward
into the 21st Century, Jane Douglas Chapter uses modern technology
with its library computer and chapter web site, to carry on NSDAR's goals of
historical preservation, education, and patriotism.
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