Historic Chapter House
Our Chapter House, located at 610 Park Avenue,
Kewanee, was built by the Potter brothers just before they were
married. It was on their 160 acre farm, which is now most of downtown
Kewanee. It was the only structure until 1854. Railroad fever brought
businessmen from Wethersfield, three miles south, and the Potters
finally gave up and moved out south of Wethersfield. Then it served as
a boarding house, and later as a "flop house" for immigrants from
Europe coming to work in Kewanee's factories. It was in terrible
condition by 1904, when the Kewanee Masons donated the building to the
DAR. It was moved to its present site and renovated, with a porch and
fireplace added at that time. Furnishings were donated by charter
members, and date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. City water
became available in the 1940s, so they put in plumbing and later built
on a room for a bathroom. They also dug a basement for a furnace. It is
now considered an important tourist site by the city.
Acknowledgements: The Kewanee Chapter holds all meetings at the Chapter
House as well as a Flag Day celebration.
The chapter offers tours to schools and scout groups and hosts
receptions for refreshments after all grave marking ceremonies. Contact
us for further information.
