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!

Fort Dearborn

2022-2023 Events

Date Event
August Open House Social
September 17-23 Constitution Week
September Service Project
Stand Down for Women Veterans
  Who Is Fort Payne Chapter?
October Kids Matter
Community Event
  Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR, Day of Service
Stockings for the Troops
  Fort Payne Chapter, NSDAR, Day of Service
Kids Matter Volunteer Fair
November 11 Veterans Day
November Operation HerStory and POW/MIA Presentation
December Lisle Cemetery Wreath Laying
Joint service project with the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.)
  Christmas Tea and Cookie Exchange; C.A.R. Visit
Joint service project with C.A.R.
December 17 Wreaths Across America Day
Date Event
February The Naperville Indian Community — Becoming an American
February 17-20 National Great Backyard Bird Count
Be a citizen scientist
March Illinois State Regent Visit and Luncheon
April Awards Ceremony
April 16-22 Earth Week Naperville 2023
May 1-5 National Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4 National Day of Prayer
May 29 Memorial Day
June 14 Flag Day
June Service Project
Naperville Fine Arts and Artisan Fair

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.

Fort Dearborn
Operation HerStory
Chapter Members
Chapter Members
Chapter Members
Jan
Jan
Open House
Open House
Open House

About Our National Society

Mission

To promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Founders

Ellen Hardin Walworth

Ellen Hardin Walworth

Placeholder image

Eugenia Washington

Placeholder image

Mary Desha

Placeholder image

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!

View DAR Videos