STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
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Mrs. William Edward Vesser donated the records of the Daughters of the American Revolution, St. Louis Chapter to the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on October 31, 1983.
Anna Harris O'Fallon, the Missouri State Regent, proposed forming a St. Louis Chapter to ten women in St. Louis on January 31, 1895. The group agreed to organize, and on March 2, 1895 the chapter received its original charter, number 113. Mrs. Mary Mitchell Hutchinson became the chapter's first Regent.
The St. Louis Chapter adopted the three main objectives of the National Society: to promote patriotism, encourage historic preservation, and provide educational opportunities. The chapter instituted various programs to further these aims.
To promote patriotism, the chapter began programs in three areas. These included Americanism, flag respect, and support for the government. The Americanism program consisted of citizenship training, good citizenship awards, and participation in courtroom naturalization ceremonies. In the years before 1930, the chapter secured teachers for naturalization groups. The St. Louis Chapter's first flag committee, consisting of Mrs. Adeline Walcott Denison and Mrs. Edward F. Finney, inaugurated the first Flag Day celebration in St. Louis on June 14, 1901. The chapter also gave flags to schools and girl scout troops, taught the history and proper use of the flags, and participated in flag ceremonies. To support the government, the St. Louis Chapter provided information on National Defense, subversive groups, such as the Communist Party of America, and pending legislation that supported the aims of the DAR.
The St. Louis DAR Chapter concentrated on war relief efforts during the Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II. In 1898 it sent 30 nurses to Cuba and paid their expenses. One of them, a nurse as well as a physician, Dr. Irene Toland, died while serving in Cuba. The chapter offered lunches to 3000 soldiers who passed through St. Louis' Union Station on their way to camp, and they sent writing supplies to the men and women serving in Cuba and Manila.
During World War I, the chapter contributed to the French Orphans' Fund, sent ambulance drivers to France, and bought Liberty Bonds and Savings Stamps. In 1920, the group contributed from its Mary Alice Booth Educational Fund to a DAR state-wide Revolving Loan Fund for disabled ex-servicemen. At the time, Missouri was the only state with this type of fund. By 1924, the chapter's funds had been repaid.
During World War II, the St. Louis Chapter aided the Red Cross with sewing, blood plasma drives, and equipment. Service men and women received "Buddy Bags" from the St. Louis group, which included personal items such as soap, magazines, and writing supplies. The group also sponsored drives for War Bonds and Defense Stamps.
An early historical project for the chapter included the cleaning and restoration of Houdin's statue of George Washington in Lafayette Park. In 1901, the chapter placed a bronze tablet in honor of the Indian Chief Pontiac in the old Southern Hotel near the supposed site of his grave. Other historical programs included setting markers along the Old Boone Trail and placing a granite boulder in Jefferson Barracks Cemetery to honor the unknown soldiers who died at Fort Bellefontaine in north St. Louis County. The St. Louis Chapter, along with other Missouri chapters, restored the historic Arrow Rock Tavern which in the 1880s and 1890s, serviced travelers along the Santa Fe Trail in central Missouri. The St. Louis Chapter continued to provide funds for the Tavern's upkeep through 1985.
In the area of education the St. Louis Chapter provided scholarships, student loans, and financial aid to select schools. The Mary Alice Booth Educational Fund provided some of the money used for these purposes until 1947 when it became a building fund.
Since 1907, the group has supported the School of the Ozarks with gifts of money, clothing, books, and student scholarships. Other schools receiving financial aid from the chapter included the Indian schools, St. Mary's in South Dakota and Bacone College in Oklahoma. Wholly DAR-supported schools for underprivileged children in Alabama and South Carolina also received contributions from the St. Louis Chapter.
Other programs supported by the St. Louis DAR Chapter include contributions to the St. Louis Police Wives' Association, DAR Revolution Medal to a St. Louis University Air Force ROTC student, and contributions to the National Conservation Project. In the local area, the chapter planted trees and shrubs in parks to support conservation efforts.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Daughters of the American Revolution, St. Louis Chapter Records, document the chapter's activities from 1895-1985. The collection is divided into five series: 1) Minute Books, 1895-1970; 2) Treasurer's Book, 1895-1904; 3) Scrapbooks, 1896-1985; 4) Correspondence, Reports and Programs, 1901-1985; 5) Artifacts and Photographs, 1895-1980.
The Minute Book Series includes board and regular meeting minutes, committee and officer annual reports, membership lists, meeting notices, and resolutions. These reflect the efforts of the St. Louis Chapter to promote patriotism, education, and historical restoration and preservation. Topics include respect for the flag; resolutions in support of governmental action, such as the declaration of the Spanish-American War; loans for ex-servicemen after WWI; marking historical sites, preservation of historic Arrow Rock Tavern in Missouri; student loans and scholarships; and financial aid to the School of the Ozarks and DAR-supported schools.
The scrapbook series contains newsclippings, pamphlets, correspondence, notices, and photos of the St. Louis Chapter's activities. The newsclippings and pamphlets also reflect National Society DAR activities and world events. The scrapbooks do not contain material from all years, only those in the volume listing.
Artifacts include a flag, brass plaque, buttons and postcards. The photographs and copies of photos contain pictures of individual DAR members and chapter activities. Included in the chapter activities are photos of the St. Louis War Relief Committee, 1917; a picnic at Bissell House, 1903; the placement of a historical marker at Fort Zumwalt, 1929; a flag presentation, 1980; and troops going off to war, 1918.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1 - MINUTE BOOKS, 1895-1976, VOLUMES 1-19
Contains charter members list, charter application, board and regular meeting minutes, membership lists and records, committee and officer annual reports, bylaws, meeting notices, and resolutions. Arranged chronologically. Topics include: Louisiana Purchase Exposition-St. Louis, 1904; war relief during the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II; Disabled Ex-servicemen Fund, 1920; use of funds for educational purposes; and efforts toward historic restoration and preservation.
SERIES 2 - TREASURER'S BOOK, 1895-1904, VOLUME 20
Includes one account ledger. It contains notation of the St. Louis Chapter's original charter payment to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1895.
SERIES 3 - SCRAPBOOKS, 1896-1985, VOLUMES 21-26
Includes newsclippings, booklets, pamphlets, maps, invitations, letters, newsletters, notices, and photographs. Arranged chronologically. Volume 25 (1946-1948) also contains material from 1896-1928. Scrapbooks do not contain material from all years, just those listed.
SERIES 4 - CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, AND PROGRAMS, 1901-1985 VOLUMES, 27-32
In chronological order, contains correspondence, reports, application, brochures on Missouri Centennial (1921) and Exhibit (1933), and Missouri DAR Bulletins.
SERIES 5 - ARTIFACTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, 1895-1980, 7 FOLDERS
Folders 1 and 2 contain artifacts and a National Society DAR Handbook; folders 3-7 include 102 photographs or copies of photographs, c.1895-1980 (7848-7950); folder 3 contains the chapter's war relief committee, 1917 (7843); folder 4 contains individual DAR members (7849-7856), c.1898-1915; folder 5 contains chapter activities (7857-7897) including troops going to WWI (7876-7880), 1903-1980; folders 6 and 7 include photograph copies of DAR members (7899-7942), member activities (7898) and (7943-7950).
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1, VOLUMES 1-20
ROLL 1, VOLUMES 1-6
SERIES 1, - MINUTES BOOKS, 1895-1976, VOLUMES 1-19
VOLUME 1. Minute Book, 1895-1898
2. Minute Book, 1898-1901
3. Minute Book, 1901-1905
4. Minute Book, 1905-1909
5. Minute Book, 1909-1916
6. Minute Book, 1916-1921
ROLL 2, VOLUMES 7-12
7. Minute Book, 1921-1926
8. Minute Book, 1927-1928
9. Minute Book, 1928-1932
10. Minute Book, 1932-1934
11. Minute Book, 1934-1936
12. Minute Book, 1936-1938
ROLL 3, VOLUMES 13-16
13. Minute Book, 1938-1940
14. Minute Book, 1940-1942
15. Minute Book, 1942-1944
16. Minute Book, 1944-1946
ROLL 4, VOLUMES 17-18
17. Minute Book, 1947-1943
18. Minute Book, 1953-1964
ROLL 5, VOLUMES 19-20
19. Minute Book, 1964-1976
SERIES 2 - TREASURER'S BOOK, 1895-1904
20. Treasurer's Book, 1895-1904
BOX 2 SERIES 3 - SCRAPBOOKS, 1896-1985, VOLUMES 21-26
ROLL 6, VOLUMES 21-22
21. Scrapbook, 1901-1921
22. Scrapbook, 1926-1928
ROLL 7 VOLUME 23
23. Scrapbook, 1929-1931
ROLL 8 VOLUMES 24-32
24. Scrapbook, 1938
25. Scrapbook, 1946-1948, includes material from 1896-1928
26. Scrapbook, 1958-1985
SERIES 4 - CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, AND PROGRAMS, 1901-1985, VOLUMES 27-32
27. Correspondence, 1900-1957
28. Reports, Application, 1918, 1921
29. Pamphlets, 1923-1943
30. State Centennial and Exhibit, 1921, 1933
31. Missouri DAR Bulletin, 1978-1980, 1983
32. National DAR Congress, 1980
BOX 3, FOLDERS 1-7
SERIES 5 - ARTIFACTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, 1895-1980, FOLDERS 1-7
Folder 1. Artifacts, n.d.
2. National Society DAR Reports, 1895-1897, Handbook, 1936
3. Photograph 7848, 1917 (in map case)
4. Photographs, c.1898-1915 (7849-1856)
5. Photographs, 1903-1980 (7857-7897)
6. Copies of Photographs, c.1890-1905 (7898-7921)
7. Copies of Photographs, c.1890-1907 (7922-7950)
INDEX
Abbott, Dorothy, v. 19
Armistead, Mrs. W.J., v. 11-13
Arrow Rock Tavern, v. 1-19, 22, 23, 25
Augustine, Mrs. G.H., v. 5
Bailey, Mrs. Howard, v. 7, 10, 22-24; f. 5
Baker, Hallie, v. 7-9
Baker, Mrs. Leo, v. 17
Barrows, Louisa A., v. 2, 3, 5, 20; f. 5
Bascome, Ellen Kearney, v. 1, 2, 4; f. 4
Bill, Mrs. O.H., v. 14-17
Bissell House, f. 5
Boone's Trail, v. 21
Booth, Mrs. J.N., v. 2-7, 10, 16, 20, 27, 29; f. 5, 6
Bosman, Sarah, v. 19
Boyd, Mrs. W.G., v. 3-5; f. 5, 7
Brokaw, Mrs. A.V.L., v. 5, 6
Brookmire, Mrs. A.F., v. 4, 5; f. 4
Brooks, Mrs. J.S., v. 5, 6
Brooks, Mrs. Robert W., v. 6, 7
Bull, Mrr. John, f. 7, 8
Burrus, Temple, v. 18
Cabell, Mrs. Ashley, v. 1, 2, 6; f. 7
Cairns, Anna Sneed, v. 23
Calfee, Mrs. Joseph S., v. 5-7, 9, 18, 22-24
Campbell, Mrs. E. Jameson, v. 13, 14, 15
Civil Rights Act, v. 18
Clark, Champ, v. 22
Crabbe, Mrs. Floyd F., v, 17, 18
Cross, Mrs. Harold, v. 19
Crowdus, Mrs. James, v. 7, 8, 10, 12, 16
Curlee, Mrs. Selby H., v. 6, 7, 22
Danforth, Mrs. A.W., v. 11, 12
Daniel Boone House, v. 7, 22, 23
Daughters of the American Revolution, v. 1-32; f. 1-7
Delafield, Mrs. Wallace, v. 1, 2, 9, 20; f. 4, 5
DeMenil House, v. 19
Denison, Adeline Walcott, v. 2-4, 6, 7, 27; f. 4, 5, 7
Discrimination, v, 16, 25
Eikhoff, Mrs. E.H., v. 18, 19
Ernst, Lillie, v. 23
Evans, Jessie McKinley, v. 16
Eversoll, Mrs. N.J., v. 16-17
Fabricius, Mrs. Walter, v. 17-19
Farr, Mrs. H.V., v. 14
Ferrenbach, Jane B., v. 26, 31
de Figueiredo, Charlotte, v. 1, 2
Finney, Mrs. Edward F., v. 2, 3, 5; f. 5, 6
Flag Ceremonies, v. 3-19, 22-26; f. 5
Fleming, Maybelle, v. 11, 12
Flint, Frank A., v. 10, 11, 22
Forest Park College, (see vertical file - Cairns, Anna Sneed)
Fort Bellefontaine, v. 3, 27; f. 5
Fort Zumwalt, v. 3, 27; f. 5
Fuqua, Mrs. Joseph S., v. 3, 5
Funkhouser, Mrs. Robert M., v. 5; f. 6
Gambrill, Georgia, v. 19
Garrison, v. 9, 10, 17
Gauen, Mary Louise, v. 14-17, 25
Gellhorn, Mrs. George, v. 23
Gill, Mrs. McCune, v. 6
Gottfried, Mrs. Emerson, v. 18
Gray, Mrs. Benjamin F., Jr., v. 2, 4, 9, 27-30; f. 4, 5, 7
Gray, Mrs. William B., v. 17
Grimm, Mrs. Elmer, v. 19
Haeberle, Mrs. Frederick, v. 18
Hale, Mrs. Philip, v. 6, 7
Hardaway, Lucy Page, v. 1, 2
Harris, James W., v. 8-10
Hartwein, Mrs. G.H., v. 18
Hickey, Margaret, v. 25
Historic Preservation, v. 1-19, 21-27, 30, 31; f. 5-7
Hutchinson, Mary Mitchell, v. 1
Jannuzzo, Maude, v. 16-18
Jefferson Barracks, v. 5, 14-16, 22, 27; f. 4
Keiser, Mrs. Frank J., v. 18, 19
Kendall, Mrs. John D., v. 6
Keyser, Helen Sloan, v. 5, 6
Kimball, Mrs. T.D., v. 4
La Londe, Mary Steck, v. 14-17
Leguey-Feilleux, Mrs. J.R., v. 19
Lewis, Jessymine Thurmon, v. 14-17
Lionberger, Mrs. J.R., v. 9-12, 19, 23
Long, Mrs. J.M., v. 7, 8
Louisiana Purchase Exposition-St. Louis, 1904, v. 3; f. 5, 7
McLain, Mrs. J. Lawrence, v. 19
Martin, Mrs. George N., v. 7-9
Meysenberg, Delia Carr, v. 2
Milam, Mrs. Fred, v, 10, 12
Missouri Historical Society, v. 4-6, 20, 23, 25
Moffitt, Mrs. Nathaniel L., v. 10-12
Moore, Mrs. John S., v. 17, 18
Muelbauer, Margaret E., v. 18
Mary Alice Booth Educational Board, v. 6-19
Michael, Mrs. Elias, v. 23
Mulkey, Mab, v. 19
Nelson, Mrs. Clement W., v. 5, 6, 8, 22, 23; f. 5
Nelson, Mrs. E.W., v. 7-9
Nevins, Mrs. Lloyd, v. 19
Nevling, Mrs. Clyde, v. 11, 13, 17, 18, 25
Newcomb, Edna, v. 5
Nolan, Mrs. Ernest, v. 19
Norrish, Louise M., v. 14-17
O'Fallon, Anne Harris, v. 1; f. 7
Old Boone Trail, v. 5
Otten, Susan Gray, v. 2
Outz, Mrs. William, v. 19
Owen, Catherine L., v. 3, 4; f. 5, 7
Palmer, Charles A., v. 6
Parrish, Mrs. W.C., v. 3
Pauley, Mrs. G.A., v. 8-10, 12-19
Pollard, Alma Morris, v. 17, 18
Proetz, Erma, v. 23
Protzman, Mrs. William, v. 16, 17, 25
Red Cross, v. 6
Rowland, Mrs. Claude K., v. 13-19
Ryan, Mrs. Charles, v. 17
Sabin, Elayne, F. (Mrs. John), v. 18, 19, 22
Sansone, Helen W., v. 19
School of the Ozarks, v. 4-19, 22-26, 31; f. 5
Scott, Mrs. Frank., v. 7, 8, 10, 11, 22
Settlage, Mrs. Arthur F., v. 18, 19
Shapleigh, Mrs. Richard, v. 3
Shelton, Mrs. T., v. 5
Shields, Mrs. George H., v. 1-3; f. 1, 5, 7
Smith, Mrs. Edward T., v. 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 25
Smith, Mrs. Jeptha T., v. 15-18
Smith, Mrs. W.H., v. 18
Smith, Ruth, v. 13, 14
Southern Hotel, v. 2, 21, 27
Spanish American War, v. 2; f. 2
Spencer, Elizabeth Dwight, v. 1, 2
Spencer, Norma Bates, v. 19, 26; f. 5
Southward, Mrs. A.W., v. 5, 6
Sterbenz, Mrs. Bertram, v. 19
Stirrat, Mrs. Andrew T., v. 14, 17, 18, 25
Ten Broeck, Mrs. Edward T., v. 3, 4
Thayer, Sidney B., v. 1, 20
Tipton, Mrs. John, v. 5, 6
Tipton, Mrs. S.M., v. 5, 6
Toland, Dr. Irene S., f. 2
Trask, Mrs. Walter, v. 6, 9
Triplett, Mary W., v. 2
Vesser, Mrs. William, v. 19
Veterans--World War I, v. 6, 17
Vogelsang, Agnes P., v. 8, 9
War Relief, v. 2, 6, 14-16
Weatherford, Mrs. W.M., v. 8, 13, 14, 17
Weston, Mrs. William B., v. 6
Wilfley, Mrs. O.S., v. 7, 22, 23
Williamson, Mrs. J.W., v. 3, 4
Wilson, Iona B., v. 6, 7, 10, 15, 16, 22
Winn, Mary Polk, v. 1, 2
Women--Societies and Clubs, v. 1-32; f. 17-7
Wood, Margaret A., v. 6
World War I, v. 6, 21; f. 3, 5
World War II, v. 14-16
Wyatt, Helen, v. 18
Zilliken, Mrs. L.M., v. 12, 13, 17, 18
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
ONE UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143