 The National
Society of the Daughters of the American
Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) is a non-profit,
non-political, patriotic women's service
organization. The Shenandoah Chapter, NSDAR,
is named for the town in which it resides.
Some of the early settlers say that
Shenandoah got its name from the Shenandoah
River in Virginia, where there is a
similarity between the Shenandoah Valley in
Virginia and the Nishnabotna Valley in Iowa.
Shenandoah is also the Indian name meaning
“Daughter of the Stars.”
The vision for organizing a DAR
chapter in Shenandoah began when Jeanette
Ralston came to live in Shenandoah with
her husband, Forrest. Jeanette had been
active in the DAR in Illinois. Here, she
met new friends who were interested in
their Revolutionary ancestors and in their
country. They were eager to have a chapter
in Shenandoah. The first meeting was held
March 15, 1922, at the home of Mrs.
Ralston, who lived on Crose Court, the
block between West and Church Streets. The
chapter charter was issued February 26,
1930.
 Through
the years, the chapter has had many
projects. We placed a marker on the grave
of Chief Waubonsie; reset old tombstones
in Manti Cemetery; placed a DAR marker on
the grave of each deceased member of our
chapter; placed a marker on the grave of
Daniel Dow, who is believed to be the only
American Revolutionary War soldier buried
in Page County, and send money and
clothing to help support the DAR schools.
Each February, the Shenandoah Chapter,
NSDAR, honors the students chosen for the
DAR Good Citizens award from Shenandoah
and from four surrounding high schools.
From these five, one name is chosen to be
sent to the Southwest Iowa District
competition. Our chapter has been honored
to have several district winners represent
southwest Iowa at state conference. We are
also proud to have been the chapter host
of the State DAR Good Citizens winner in
1952, 1969, and 1997.
Each year, our chapter has had a
decorated car in the Memorial Day parade,
and participated in the service at the
local cemetery by giving tribute to all
veterans – from the American Revolutionary
War to the present day – and placing a
wreath on the grave of the Unknown
Soldier.
From 1967‑1985, we sponsored an
antique show and sale in the spring to
make money for our DAR projects.
In the 1960s, our chapter had a great
interest in saving and refurbishing the
Iowa Room in our DAR Museum in Washington,
D.C., under the direction of Mabel Rapp
and assisted by Grace Brown and Marie
McMichael. We gave a valuable painting in
honor of Mabel Rapp.
It is a tradition for Waubonsie
Chapter, NSDAR, of Clarinda and Shenandoah
Chapter, NSDAR, to meet together in June
to celebrate Flag Day. The two chapters
take turns entertaining for this event.
Shenandoah Chapter, NSDAR, has been
honored to have several members serve as
state officers:
- Ruth Adams; state librarian,
1938-1940 & state recording
secretary, 1940-1942
- Grace Brown; state organizing
secretary, 1956‑1958
- Marie McMichael; state chaplain,
1958‑1960, state vice‑regent, 1960‑1962,
State Regent, 1962-1964, &
co‑chairman of the DAR Museum & Iowa
Room Committees
- Esther Williams; state organizing
secretary, 1970‑1972
- Verna Davis; state historian,
1978‑1980, & state corresponding
secretary, 1980‑1982
- Dorothy Walter; state organizing
secretary, 1988‑1990, & state
historian, 1990‑1992
- Rosemary Fichter; state registrar,
1992‑1994, state recording secretary,
1994‑1996, state vice‑regent, 1996‑1998,
& State Regent, 1998‑2000
- Linda Hopkins; state historian,
2010-2012, & state treasurer,
2012-2014
Serving as District Directors were:
- Mrs. Roy Whigham, 1976‑1978
- Bernice Lynn, 1980‑1982
- Verna Davis, 1984‑1986
- Rosemary Fichter, 1988‑1992
- Dorothy Walter, 1994‑1996
- Linda Hopkins, 2008-2010
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