Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR :: About Our Chapter

About Our Chapter

Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR, is a service organization that works through our committees to support historic preservation, education, and patriotism. DAR was founded in 1890, and these three areas of focus were established at the first meeting over 130 years ago. Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR, is a non-profit, non-political organization that supports this mission through service projects, assisting veterans, providing scholarships to high school seniors, submitting various grants, and celebrating those in our community with awards such as The Outstanding Teacher in American History and DAR Community Service Award. Please join us as we continue this mission!

2026-2027 Events

Date	Event
August	Fort Payne Picnic
September 17-23	Constitution Week
September	Our Patriots
October	Genealogist Madonna Davis
November 11	Veterans Day
November	Veterans Presentation
December	DAR Museum Songs of Christmas Past First Responder Cookie Baskets & Cookie Exchange

Date	Event
February	Candice Peel
March	Brunch State Regent Marria Blinn
April	Annual Awards
May	Memorials

Our Chapter History

ORIGIN OF THE CHAPTER
During the Black Hawk War, the settlers of Naper Settlement had to flee to Fort Dearborn. On their return, they asked for assistance to build a fort for shelter and defense during the Black Hawk Wars. In the middle of June 1832, a company of about fifty men under Captain Morgan L. Payne was dispatched from Ottawa, Illinois. Captain Payne was so popular with his men that they decided to name the fort in his honor. Fort Payne was located on the present-day grounds of Merner Fieldhouse of North Central College in Naperville.

HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER
In January 1927, a move to start a Hobson Mill Preservation Project developed into an interest to have a DAR society in Naperville. On February 13, 1928, the Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR, was organized with twelve members. The National Society then confirmed the charter on May 19, 1928.

About Our National Society

Mission

To promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Founders

Ellen Hardin Walworth

Eugenia Washington

Mary Desha

Mary Smith Lockwood

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has active chapters in every state in addition to overseas locations including Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guam, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Over one million members of DAR proudly serve and contribute millions of hours of volunteer work worldwide each year. Every Daughter has her reasons for joining which may include genealogy, honoring her ancestors, serving veterans, educating children, helping other women, making friends, or preserving history. Please join us as we continue to grow and prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026!