About Us

Chapter Members

We are one of the newest chapters in the State of Illinois. We were organized on February 5, 2018, with twenty members. Five years later, we have grown to 42 members.

Chapter Members

Members of the Chief Senachwine Chapter, NSDAR, celebrate their 5th-year anniversary on May 6. Our first organizing meeting was April 8, 2018.

Officers

Chapter Officers

Our Organizing Regent and Honorary Chapter Regent installs 2023-2025 Chief Senachwine Chapter officers.

Contact Us

If you are interested in attending a meeting, learning more about us, or joining DAR, please contact us. We would love to meet you!

Our chapter is one of the newest chapters in the state of Illinois with membership spanning three counties of Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall. Because of family relationships, members have also joined from California, Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia, and a variety of other locations in Illinois.

We are active in our communities. The chapter rededicated the NSDAR marker of Real Daughter, Clarissa McManners, buried in the Henry Cemetery. Ceremonies have also been held to honor various members of our predecessor chapter, the Christopher Lobingier Chapter (1910-1968) and other area notables. Annually, we honor Community Service Award recipients, and recently we honored a recipient with an Excellence in Historic Preservation Award.

In addition, we collect items for the local veterans home, for a women's shelter, for Honor Flight, and for various food pantries. We participate in the DAR Good Citizens Award and support local schools by providing classroom supplies. We honor our own patriots and donate relevant books to the local library. We welcome interest in our activities and accomplishments, as we are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, and honoring and supporting those who serve our nation.

Let’s start a conversation. You can contact us here.

Calendar 2023-2024

DateProgram
September How to be a Master Gardener
October Christopher Lobingier Chapter Remembered
November My Experiences in the Military
December What's in your Attic?
February Senachwine and Local Indians
March The Flag of the United States of America
April Exercise (Physical Therapist presenting)
May DAR: Good for the Heart, Good for the Soul
(District II Director presenting)

Our Namesake

Chief Senachwine was the name of a Potawatomi Indian Chief (c.1744-1831) who became chieftain following the death of his brother Gomo. These Illinois River Indians were the last major Potawatomi chieftains to live in the area.

In his book, "The Sauks and the Black Hawk War: With Biographical Sketches, etc.," United States Indian Agency member, Perry Armstrong, wrote the name “Senachwine” stood for "Rock in the Water," and meant the chief was "so much firmer than other Indians that he was a rock around which other Indians rippled like water." Chief Senachwine spoke against joining Black Hawk in the Black Hawk War saying that it would serve no purpose.

Chief Senachwine is buried on a high bluff overlooking the site of his Indian settlement along Lake Senachwine north of the village of Putnam which lies north of Henry.

Chief Senachwine Marker