HISTORY
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 by Miss Eugenia Washington, Mrs. Ellen Walworth, Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, and Miss Mary Desha. The NSDAR is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, at 1776 D Street NW. The NSDAR is a nonpolitical and nonprofit volunteer women's service organization.
Five years later, the Mohawk Chapter NSDAR was organized by fifteen of Albany’s most prominent women. The charter was granted on April 10, 1895. Mrs. William Croswell Doane was the first regent. It was fitting since Albany was one of the oldest cities and one that was extremely active during the American Revolution.
The Mohawk Chapter was named for the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois Confederation. The Mohawks are the original people of New York State. They existed before the 1600s when the Dutch explorers came to America. The name Mohawk comes from a name their Algonquin enemies used to call them, meaning "man-eaters." In their own language, the Mohawk people call themselves Kanienkehaka, which means "people of the flint."
Five years later, the Mohawk Chapter NSDAR was organized by fifteen of Albany’s most prominent women. The charter was granted on April 10, 1895. Mrs. William Croswell Doane was the first regent. It was fitting since Albany was one of the oldest cities and one that was extremely active during the American Revolution.
The Mohawk Chapter was named for the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois Confederation. The Mohawks are the original people of New York State. They existed before the 1600s when the Dutch explorers came to America. The name Mohawk comes from a name their Algonquin enemies used to call them, meaning "man-eaters." In their own language, the Mohawk people call themselves Kanienkehaka, which means "people of the flint."
Our third Mohawk regent, Mrs. Daniel Manning (1896-1997) was elected as the fifth president general of NSDAR. Mrs. Manning was a born leader and a woman of the highest integrity and sincere worthwhile purpose. The Who’s Who of American Women of 1914 lists multiple honors for Mrs. Manning. She was appointed by U.S. President McKinley as commissioner of the Paris Exposition of 1900. There she represented the United States and NSDAR at the unveiling, on July 4th, of the Statue of General Lafayette; and she also assisted in unveiling the statue of General Washington, a gift of the women of the United States to France. The New York State DAR honored the legacy of Mrs. Manning by placing a historical marker on her grave in Albany Rural Cemetery.
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Mary Margaretta Fryer Manning
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As the years progressed, Mohawk Chapter was responsible for many historic events such as grave markings and taking part in the anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Saratoga. Mohawk Chapter also contributed to immigrants at Ellis Island, college scholarship funds and the formation of the Van Rensselaer Chapter Children of the American Revolution. Gifts of mounted and framed prints of historic interest were presented by the chapter to the War Department at West Point, The White House, State House, Department of Agriculture and Harvard University. In years 2013 and 2018, the Mohawk Chapter donated several historical artifacts and records to the New York State Archives, New York State Library and the Albany Institute of History & Art for safekeeping and display.
The Mohawk Chapter has proudly given DAR Good Citizens awards for several decades annually to a senior at both Shaker and Colonie Central High School and in 2018 recently began honoring a student from Albany High School also. A Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Bronze Medal is also presented annually to an outstanding cadet at Christian Brothers Academy and in 2019 began honoring a student at Albany High School.
In our 125 year history, our members serve as volunteers in the local community helping veterans, schools, senior groups, hospitals, churches, and historic preservation sites such as the Ten Broeck Mansion, the Captain John J. McKenna IV Military Courtesy Room at the Albany International Airport and several community social service organizations. Mohawk has also collected supplies for local veterans, and books for children, supplies for the NSDAR schools. We work to uphold the objectives of the DAR National Society to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and secure America’s future through better education.
Mohawk has also recognized very deserving residents of the Capital District with community service and historical preservation awards. Also, our chapter honored John J. McKenna III with the DAR Distinguished Citizen Award in 2018 for his dedication in establishing and maintaining the operations of the the military courtesy room at the Albany airport.
Our Chapter was also the very proud sponsor of several NSDAR Historic Preservation grants. These grants, ranging from $1,750 to $10,000 went directly to local historical/cultural organizations to continue their historic preservation projects. We recognize the importance of these organizations to the fabric and quality of living in our area.
You can view current postings, activities and photos of our Mohawk Chapter by visiting our "Mohawk Chapter of the DAR" Facebook page.
The Mohawk Chapter has proudly given DAR Good Citizens awards for several decades annually to a senior at both Shaker and Colonie Central High School and in 2018 recently began honoring a student from Albany High School also. A Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Bronze Medal is also presented annually to an outstanding cadet at Christian Brothers Academy and in 2019 began honoring a student at Albany High School.
In our 125 year history, our members serve as volunteers in the local community helping veterans, schools, senior groups, hospitals, churches, and historic preservation sites such as the Ten Broeck Mansion, the Captain John J. McKenna IV Military Courtesy Room at the Albany International Airport and several community social service organizations. Mohawk has also collected supplies for local veterans, and books for children, supplies for the NSDAR schools. We work to uphold the objectives of the DAR National Society to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and secure America’s future through better education.
Mohawk has also recognized very deserving residents of the Capital District with community service and historical preservation awards. Also, our chapter honored John J. McKenna III with the DAR Distinguished Citizen Award in 2018 for his dedication in establishing and maintaining the operations of the the military courtesy room at the Albany airport.
Our Chapter was also the very proud sponsor of several NSDAR Historic Preservation grants. These grants, ranging from $1,750 to $10,000 went directly to local historical/cultural organizations to continue their historic preservation projects. We recognize the importance of these organizations to the fabric and quality of living in our area.
You can view current postings, activities and photos of our Mohawk Chapter by visiting our "Mohawk Chapter of the DAR" Facebook page.