More about the history of General Sumter Chapter....
The chapter's interest in historical preservation began as early as 1901 when the first "Real Daughter" living in Alabama was located. Mrs. Mary Fite was the first "Real Daughter" known in Alabama. Her father, John Armstrong, was a soldier in the Continental army during all the Revolution, starting out a captain and rising to the position of colonel. Another early interest, locating the graves of Revolutionary soldiers who were buried in Jefferson County, took chapter members eight years to complete. In 1912 a thirty-five ton granite boulder with a bronze plaque naming sixteen soldiers was placed at Five Points South. A total of $1,216 to purchase the boulder was raised by giving countless "Colonial Teas." In 1957 the boulder was relocated to Woodrow Wilson Park (renamed Linn Park) in order to make way for increased traffic.
Other money raised by the chapter was contributed to the building fund for Memorial Continental Hall and the Administration Building in Washington, D.C., as well as for refurbishing Constitution Hall. Contributions were also given to aid in the restoration of Mt. Vernon and building the Washington Monument, the Lafayette Monument, the Memorial Fountain at Plymouth Rock, and the Bell Tower at Valley Forge. Funds were given to the National Society for the gate to the Alabama Room to honor the Revolutionary ancestor of three chapter members. In 1998 money was given by the chapter and two chapter members to restore the portrait of Kate Duncan Smith and to have it hung outside the Alabama Room in Washington, D.C..
General Sumter Chapter aided in locating the "Original Highways" by marking the trail of Andrew Jackson's army through Jefferson County, and contributions were made for markers on the National Old Trails Road. The establishment of a genealogical department at the Birmingham Public Library was greatly aided by chapter efforts. The chapter has continued to support the library over the years with contributions of books and periodicals as well as money.
The promotion of education became a major focus in 1919 when the Alabama State Society voted unanimously to establish and maintain one DAR school, and named it in honor of Kate Duncan Smith. Since four of General Sumter's chapter members (Lila Inzer Brown, Annie Weakley Allen, Sophia Perkins Montgomery, and Caroline Walton Adams) had worked unfalteringly to establish this school, the state society delegated General Sumter chapter the responsibility of selecting the location for the school. Also in 1919 the chapter was given permission by the City Commission to sell flags on the streets of downtown Birmingham on Flag Day and the chapter's sale of flags on Flag Day continued until 1945. The money raised went to chapter projects--primarily support for KDS. The chapter presented the U. S. flag and the Alabama flag for the dedication of Kate Duncan Smith School on Gunter Mountain. Clothing, books, furniture, and tools, as well as financial aid, were given to the school and have continued to be given until the present. In 1978 the chapter's project was to provide the "cloak room" in the Jeanette Osborn Gaylies Home Economics building in honor of Vice President General Dorothy Youngblood Woodyerd. A recent honor was given to Kate Duncan Smith with the placement of a large bronze marker, purchased by the chapter, on her grave at Oak Hill Cemetery on February 28, 1999.
Patriotic endeavors began with WWI when the chapter's Red Cross unit with 100% membership was the second organized in Birmingham. Members bought Liberty Bonds and contributed to the work of restoring buildings in Tilloloy, France. A French orphan and a Navy sailor were adopted by the chapter. General Sumter Chapter joined Old Elyton Chapter in 1919 to place a memorial in the form of a bronze marker to honor WWI heroes who were sons and grandsons of members. The marker was placed in the Federal Building in Birmingham. In 1923 the chapter placed a flag in the circle at Five Points to commemorate all important events in the history of our nation. It flew on many occasions, including the death of President Harding. Another flag was presented to General John Pershing in 1923 and many large flags have been given by the chapter to schools, scouts and YMCA. Over the years thousands of small flags have been presented to newly naturalized citizens after the Naturalization Ceremony. During WWII the chapter sold stamps and bonds at the DAR Bond Booth location at Woolworth's and helped furnish a day room at Ft. McClellan. As part of the chapter's celebration of George Washington's birthday in February 1982, a cherry tree was planted on the campus of Samford University. In 1984 funds were given by the chapter toward the restoration of Ellis Island.
A Golden Anniversary Tea was held March 7, 1945, at Highlands United Methodist Church. The 70th birthday celebration in 1965 was a luncheon and reception at Mountain Brook Club. The 75th Anniversary was celebrated during State Conference in March 1970, with a tea at the home of Mrs. Leslie Wright. General Sumter Chapter's centennial was held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on March 1, 1995, with a display of memorabilia from the past 100 years. A magnolia tree was dedicated to the chapter at the Gardens.
Other money raised by the chapter was contributed to the building fund for Memorial Continental Hall and the Administration Building in Washington, D.C., as well as for refurbishing Constitution Hall. Contributions were also given to aid in the restoration of Mt. Vernon and building the Washington Monument, the Lafayette Monument, the Memorial Fountain at Plymouth Rock, and the Bell Tower at Valley Forge. Funds were given to the National Society for the gate to the Alabama Room to honor the Revolutionary ancestor of three chapter members. In 1998 money was given by the chapter and two chapter members to restore the portrait of Kate Duncan Smith and to have it hung outside the Alabama Room in Washington, D.C..
General Sumter Chapter aided in locating the "Original Highways" by marking the trail of Andrew Jackson's army through Jefferson County, and contributions were made for markers on the National Old Trails Road. The establishment of a genealogical department at the Birmingham Public Library was greatly aided by chapter efforts. The chapter has continued to support the library over the years with contributions of books and periodicals as well as money.
The promotion of education became a major focus in 1919 when the Alabama State Society voted unanimously to establish and maintain one DAR school, and named it in honor of Kate Duncan Smith. Since four of General Sumter's chapter members (Lila Inzer Brown, Annie Weakley Allen, Sophia Perkins Montgomery, and Caroline Walton Adams) had worked unfalteringly to establish this school, the state society delegated General Sumter chapter the responsibility of selecting the location for the school. Also in 1919 the chapter was given permission by the City Commission to sell flags on the streets of downtown Birmingham on Flag Day and the chapter's sale of flags on Flag Day continued until 1945. The money raised went to chapter projects--primarily support for KDS. The chapter presented the U. S. flag and the Alabama flag for the dedication of Kate Duncan Smith School on Gunter Mountain. Clothing, books, furniture, and tools, as well as financial aid, were given to the school and have continued to be given until the present. In 1978 the chapter's project was to provide the "cloak room" in the Jeanette Osborn Gaylies Home Economics building in honor of Vice President General Dorothy Youngblood Woodyerd. A recent honor was given to Kate Duncan Smith with the placement of a large bronze marker, purchased by the chapter, on her grave at Oak Hill Cemetery on February 28, 1999.
Patriotic endeavors began with WWI when the chapter's Red Cross unit with 100% membership was the second organized in Birmingham. Members bought Liberty Bonds and contributed to the work of restoring buildings in Tilloloy, France. A French orphan and a Navy sailor were adopted by the chapter. General Sumter Chapter joined Old Elyton Chapter in 1919 to place a memorial in the form of a bronze marker to honor WWI heroes who were sons and grandsons of members. The marker was placed in the Federal Building in Birmingham. In 1923 the chapter placed a flag in the circle at Five Points to commemorate all important events in the history of our nation. It flew on many occasions, including the death of President Harding. Another flag was presented to General John Pershing in 1923 and many large flags have been given by the chapter to schools, scouts and YMCA. Over the years thousands of small flags have been presented to newly naturalized citizens after the Naturalization Ceremony. During WWII the chapter sold stamps and bonds at the DAR Bond Booth location at Woolworth's and helped furnish a day room at Ft. McClellan. As part of the chapter's celebration of George Washington's birthday in February 1982, a cherry tree was planted on the campus of Samford University. In 1984 funds were given by the chapter toward the restoration of Ellis Island.
A Golden Anniversary Tea was held March 7, 1945, at Highlands United Methodist Church. The 70th birthday celebration in 1965 was a luncheon and reception at Mountain Brook Club. The 75th Anniversary was celebrated during State Conference in March 1970, with a tea at the home of Mrs. Leslie Wright. General Sumter Chapter's centennial was held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on March 1, 1995, with a display of memorabilia from the past 100 years. A magnolia tree was dedicated to the chapter at the Gardens.
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