Welcome to the home of the
Joplin Chapter of the Missouri
Daughters of the American Revolution
Joplin, Missouri

The Joplin chapter was organized in 1904, and held our first meeting on December 16th, 1904. The charter members voted to hold four or more meetings a year.

Continental Hall - Washington, D.C. - 1911

Our chapter owns some special real estate. In 1916, our first regent, Mrs. E. A. (Hattie) Norris, sent a communication from Washington D.C., stating that she had purchased one foot of Continental Hall ground for the Joplin chapter for $11.25.

In 1917, "War Relief Work" became the chapter's focus. During this time, they voted to dispense with refreshments at their regular meetings and send the money saved to the Red Cross for their relief work, such as sewing projects, etc.

All DAR chapters are devoted to patriotism, education, and historical preservation. A short list of the many projects supported by the Joplin Chapter include:

* the Arrow Rock Tavern (oldest historical spot in Missouri)

* a rally to raise $500,000, to apply to the debt of a Negro College

* bronze doors for Constitution Hall

* periodically sending a large box of usual necessities to Ellis Island

* tacking comforters for the School of the Ozarks

* planting trees in various places in Joplin in memory of past regents

* clothing a 15 year old boy so he could attend school

* sponsoring a boy at the School of the Ozarks, and another at Crossnore School

(i.e. this included getting the child to school, arranging for visits home, paying the tuition, sending birthday and Christmas gifts and attending graduation.)

* sent gifts and paid fees for other girls and boys at school throughout the year

Our chapter had no trouble spending money. In May 1940, the treasurer reported a balance of 34 cents! In 1941, the chapter started a drive to buy an Iron Lung for use in the two Joplin hospitals. In 1942, they planted trees at the tuberculosis hospital and filled a cookie jar at the USO with 55 dozen cookies. They also sold chances on an afghan, with the proceeds of $52.50 donated to the Red Cross. In 1943, they recorded 246 hours of "war work," sold $196.00 worth of bonds and stamps at a booth on Bond Day, sent gifts to boys and girls in hospitals. Recipient hospitals included the hospital at Camp Crowder, and the Marine Base Hospitals at Ellis Island and at Angel Island. Over a three year period, the chapter sold $66,319.40 in war bonds. They also donated sewing machines to Crowder College.

One hundred years after our beginning, the Joplin Chapter is still active with a current membership of 43 women supporting education with a long standing commitment of a $200 nursing scholarship to Missouri Southern University located in Joplin, Missouri. We also support the DAR school with several small donations and by saving the Campbell Soup labels. We give ROTC medals and Good Citizen awards to students at five schools, remember our veterans in the nursing homes with visits, cards and cookies. We contribute to historic preservation projects and look forward to continuing such work indefinitely. Our DAR scrapbooks are on loan to the Joplin Museum, and one hundred and one DAR Lineage books are on loan at the Webb City Library Genealogical Room.