Martha Washington Chapter

Washington, DC
Organized February 23, 1893

Meetings held 3rd Thursday of each month - 10:30am
 

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MARTHA WASHINGTON CHAPTER 2006-2008 OFFICERS

MARTHA WASHINGTON CHAPTER 2007-2008 EVENTS

September

Fall Briefing and Chapter Meeting

October

Vitals for Veterans Bag Stuffing, Office of Shari Thorne-Sulima

November

Presentation - Hooked Fiber Art

December

Christmas Meeting followed by Lunch

January

No meeting

February

George Washington Birthday Celebration & Chapter Meeting

March

Meeting and Luncheon at the Mt. Vernon Plantation

April

Meeting followed by Tour of National Portrait Gallery

May

Luncheon at the Cosmos Club

For information about any of these events, please contact Chapter Regent Lisa Walton.

MARTHA WASHINGTON CHAPTER HISTORY

Martha Washington Chapter was organized February 23, 1893, the third Chapter in the District of Columbia. It was formed by Miss Lillian Pike, daughter of General Albert Pike.  Miss Pike was the Regent of the Chapter for 10 years from 1893 to 1903.  During her regency, two C.A.R. Societies were formed: the Nellie Custis Society for children under the page of 12 and the Abigail Adams Society for ages 13 to 21.  In 1912 the Chapter presented to Continental Hall a gift of a bust of Martha Washington, made of fine Carrara Marble.  It was sculpted by Lois MacDonald Sheeth.  A profile of this bust was used on the 1 cent stamp issued in 1938.  In 1916, the Chapter acquired a deed to a plot of ground surrounding DC Milestone #6, located on Wheeler Road SE. the Chapter agreed to oversee its preservation.  A copy of a letter written by Martha Washington, dated December 21, 1799, Mount Vernon was presented to the NSDAR Library on April 10, 1923.  On May 22, 1934, a bronze marker was placed in memory of Miss Hartley Graham, a Charter Member and a Real Daughter, at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA. Her father, Dr. William Graham, joined the VA Regiment in 1778 and served throughout the war. 

In 1936 the birthplace of Martha Washington was officially established as "Chestnut Grove" about 40 miles east of Richmond, VA . In recognition of this, a bronze tablet was presented to the present owner of the estate, a 7th generation descendent of Martha Dandridge Washington.  During this decade, the Chapter organized the first Junior DAR group, the first such group in the District of Columbia.  In 1943, the Chapter's 50th birthday was celebrated. In this decade members volunteered hundreds of hours assisting in the World War II effort.

As membership began to decline in the 70s and 80s the Chapter welcomed mergers with Continental, American, and Deborah Knapp Chapters in 1980.  In 1983 Col. John Donelson Chapter and in 1989 the little John Boyden Chapter also Joined the Martha Washington Chapter.  With this increase in membership, the Chapter was able to continue many projects and committee work.

Early in 1990, through the efforts of our Conservation Chairman, a rose bush was given to the Lee-Custis Mansion (Arlington House) in Arlington National Cemetery. This project was, in conjunction with the State Society and National Park Service, to rebuild the south rose garden.  Eight years later the rose garden was dedicated with a formal ceremony and reception coordinated by our Chapter Historian.  In 1993, the Chapter's 100th anniversary was celebrated.  Our Chapter is looking forward to the next 100 years.

Revolutionary War Ancestors of Martha Washington Chapter Members