HISTORY OF ARDMORE CHAPTER DAR

The Ardmore Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on May 21, 1921.   Lettie Gertrude Whitaker Brett (Mrs. Rutherford Brett) was the organizing regent. The chapter placed a NSDAR bronze insignia on her gravestone to mark her resting place in 2009.  There were twenty-six charter members. 

 

The name “Ardmore” was adopted for the name of the chapter, after the major city of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, which was on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  Members of the Ardmore Chapter mostly come from a wide area of southern Oklahoma.  Centered along I-35 and located midway between the Dallas/Ft.Worth Texas metropolitan area and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the area is attractive for new residents and DAR members.  In most every Sunday edition of the Ardmoreite newspaper, the chapter has a news article with photo describing chapter activities and community involvement.  

 

On the 12^th of October 1930, the Ardmore Chapter placed an historical marker on the site of Fort Arbuckle, which is located seven miles west of Davis, Oklahoma.  Seventy years later, on October 5, 2000, this marker was re-dedicated by the Ardmore Chapter.

 

Members continue today with their community work by serving on local boards, volunteering at historical museums, libraries and schools.

 

Forty-eight regents have led the chapter through the years.  Seven Honorary Chapter Regents—Nell Truitt, Diane Hamill, Pat Jurey, Vicki Luster, Helen Cargile, DeMaurice Barber, and Nelma Karns have provided valued additional guidance and growth to the chapter and its current regent Lorna Holloway.

 

Ardmore has been recognized on the national stage and chapter members have served in national level positions. Diane Hamill, Pat Jurey and Nelda Keck have attended Continental Congress for several years. Diane and Pat have received honors as National Vice Chairmen and honored at national.

 

In addition to being active contributors to state projects, chapter members have held leadership positions in the NSDAR.

 

Diane Hamill is the NSDAR State Regent 2010-2012. Patricia Jurey, Vickie Luster, Billye Jobe and Nell Truitt have served on the State Executive Board.

 

Ardmore chapter has a special event article published each year in the American Spirit, the magazine of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

 

Chapter members aided the Ardmore Main Street Authority with a project providing historical documentation and photos of the entire Ardmore Historic District. 

 

 Members have been involved in preserving historic books, bells, cemeteries, and two members have each restored a historic home.  In 2009 a Memorial Tree grove was established to honor members’ Revolutionary patriots, and a “Book of Remembrance” was donated to the Greater Southwest Historical Museum Library.

 

An annual Founders Day Luncheon begun by the chapter in 2007, is a tribute to NSDAR’s four founders; attendees come from across the state, and proceeds support the chapter Scholarship program “Educating Patriots of the Future.”

 

The chapter provides educational support, encourages Junior American Citizens groups, American History Essay competition, and provides the DAR Good Citizen contest which has been conducted in ten high schools in the area.  With assistance from the community, the chapter was able to provide more than 600 American History books and over 5,000 U.S. flags to local schools between 2001 and 2010.  Programs of events in American History, information to support Constitution Week, displays and educational materials are provided to schools area-wide. 

 

Ardmore Teacher Association and Oklahoma Education Association have honored the chapter with awards. Ardmore supports six NSDAR Schools, Bacone College and Chemawa Indian School.  The chapter sponsors area students applying for NSDAR Scholarships. The Ardmore chapter established its own scholarship fund under the leadership of Regent Nell Truitt, awarding the first two in May 2009 and 2010. 

 

The chapter participates in local patriotic celebrations and encourages proper display and respect for the American Flag.  Cards are sent to active duty and reserve military members.  Members visit and attend birthday parties at the Veterans Center in Ardmore each month and provide gifts to the 157 veteran residents during Christmas time.  The chapter also places wreaths at local Veterans Memorials.  The chapter’s patriotic floats in the 4^th of July parade, are enjoyed by thousands of area residents. Members participate in ceremonies for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, and other honor events. 

 

The chapter grew from fifty members in 2000 to the current membership of one hundred fifty-eight. Associate members total seventeen.

 

Throughout its history the chapter has supported the high ideals of the national motto “God, Home, and Country", and actively promotes the NSDAR objectives of “Historic Preservation, Patriotism, and Education.”