On Thursday, October 12, members and guests of the Robert Lewis Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution gathered to celebrate the 77th birthday of the Chapter. Like many other events, #75 could not be celebrated due to COVID concerns.
In addition to chapter members, guests included women related to the original founding members. Tennessee State DAR Sequoyah District Director Felicia Hix was a special guest to the celebration.
Regent Beverly McLain began the program by introducing Elinor Foster, past regent and daughter of Organizing Regent Margaret Brandon. Mrs. Foster recounted the history of the Chapter formation and the first meeting which was held at the Minnich Hotel on November 14, 1946. Mrs. Felicia Hix was then introduced as the second speaker. Mrs. Hix brought greetings from the State Officers and briefly touched upon her personal ties with Lewisburg through her service with the Tennessee National Guard. After providing information on the State and National society, she invited the group to the TSDAR America 250 Patriots Marker event at The Hermitage. The State Regent Emily Robinson will preside at this event on Friday, Oct. 20. Mrs. Hix thanked the chapter for their support of mission of the DAR and its national and state programs. She then welcomed questions from the attendees. Regent Beverly McLain presented Mrs. Hix with a token of appreciation to remember her day with the Robert Lewis Chapter NSDAR.
There was an exhibit of different items related to the chapter’s service and history. This included the TSDAR publications Legacies of our Great Grandmother’s, and DAR Markers Placed by the Tennessee Society. Both of these books included entries by chapter members. Several copies of “Marshall County Life” were displayed. The magazines showcased various topics related to DAR projects and interests. The National and State awards were also available for viewing. Shakira Stanley, Marshall County Memorial Head Librarian brought several chapter scrapbooks which provided a retrospect of the rich history of the chapter.
During this event, the chapter also collected donations for the “Blanket Tennessee in Love” project for the upcoming DAR Day of Service. These items will be delivered to Lewisburg Resource Center later in October.
Upcoming chapter events include a member grave marking for Mrs. Nancy Turner, participation in the Veterans Day Parade, and Wreaths Across America in December.
Hostesses Marion Joyce and Rebecca Delk provided a delicious lunch. Dessert was a festively decorated cake. Alice Kennedy provided the table and other decorations. Pam Roberts ensured the Robert Lewis Chapter flag was included in the flag display with the American and Tennessee flags.
Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based service organization. Membership is open to any woman over the age of 18 who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence and can provide the appropriate documentation.
If you are interested in joining you can contact Kathy Smith, Registrar at 931-359-4379 or kitkat_0401@yahoo.com. Alternatively, you can go to the DAR website and complete an online form to be contacted. The link to the contact form is https://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/membership-interest-form.