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Chapter History

With the NSDAR not quite six years old and with only two chapters in Michigan, a few interested ladies met at the home of Mrs. John A. Watling (Eunice Robinson Wright), Organizing Regent, to consider the organization of a chapter in Ypsilanti.  Within two months the ladies had researched the records of their Revolutionary ancestors and had filed their DAR applications.  

On July 4, 1896, fifteen ladies met to prove their eligibility, and to pledge their names for membership in the DAR.  These pledges were recorded, thus forming the charter membership.  Wishing to have a day of historical interest for the first official meeting, the anniversary of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to General Washington on October 19th was chosen.  

Among the charter members were two Real Daughters, or members who were actual daughters of an American Patriot, and a third joined six months later.  The first year meetings were held on the anniversaries of important historical events.  Programs were divided equally between early local history and Revolutionary history.  

The name Ypsilanti was chosen in honor of the Greek General Demetrius Ypsilanti who, inspired by America's fight for liberty, fought for the freedom of the Greeks from the Turks.

        

 

 

 

The photo to the right, shows a bust of General Ypsilanti between the Flag of the United States of America and the Greek flag in front of the Ypsilanti landmark water tower.

 

 

 

Patriotism has been stressed from the beginning and many projects have been started and completed. Several are still continuing: marking graves, searching for and recording genealogical data, marking historical sites and buildings.  Notably, a marker was placed on Ypsilanti's first City Hall on July 4, 1976.

 

The Ypsilanti DAR Chapter was established on October 19, 1896 and was the 4th chapter organized in Michigan and the 273rd chapter formed in the United States.