The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Black Hawk County began in 1899, as Waterloo and Cedar Falls Chapter, NSDAR, with half of its meetings in Cedar Falls and half of its officers from Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Chapter, NSDAR, was organized October 20, 1900, and received its charter on February 2, 1901. The charter is in the Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum in Cedar Falls.

The Cedar Falls Chapter, NSDAR, is very active in the preservation of history in our area. Early in its existence, we marked the graves of the “Real Daughters” in our area. During the years following the founding of the Cedar Falls Historical Society, we helped furnish several of the rooms in the Victorian House and now have several members who continue to volunteer in the museums.

We placed a “Bess Streeter Aldrich Bookshelf,” for a Cedar Falls pioneer author, in our historical society and local library. During the Bicentennial of the United States of America, we honored Peter Melendy, an early mayor and civic leader, by placing a plaque in the newly created Peter Melendy Park in the downtown area. We have also placed markers at the site of the first schoolhouse and bell, which was the first tower bell in Iowa; in Sturgis Park, named for the first permanent settlers; the Landmark Elm, which was a guide for Indians and settlers; the Newell Cemetery which contains the grave of Thunderwoman, an Indian woman buried there; and the Hillside Cemetery, gravesite of Zimri Streeter, grandson of a Revolutionary War soldier.

In 1999-2000, our chapter sponsored the DAR Medal of Honor recipient. This honor was the first Medal of Honor awarded to an Iowa woman by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

We will continue to honor our ancestors, promote patriotism, education, and historical preservation, while supporting our youth and our community.