Chapter History
In the spring of 1977, the organizing secretary of the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (MSSDAR) contacted a West Plains community member to ask if she would be interested in organizing a new DAR chapter in West Plains. This individual was not a DAR member and had never attended a DAR meeting, however, she was very interested in genealogy and history.
After much consideration and knowing her fourth great-grandfather served in the American Revolutionary War, the community member agreed to start the process to organize a DAR chapter. Her first assignment was to document her application for acceptance as a member at large so she could act as organizing regent.
Following the approval of her application, a press release was sent to the local newspaper announcing the intention of starting a new chapter. The response to the news release was encouraging. Several women expressed a desire to join DAR. Also, a few women who were former members of other DAR chapters were located, in hopes, they would renew their membership and join the new chapter.
After six months of hard work locating prospective members, completing membership applications, and preparing for the organization of a new DAR chapter, eighteen applications and transfer requests were sent to the National Society for approval.
October 14, 1977, was the date the National Board of Management met to determine if the proposed new chapter would be approved. On that day, the future Daughters met at the home of another community member and anxiously waited for the phone call from the National Society. Everyone was very excited when at last the call came notifying the ladies that the proposed new Ozark Spring Chapter, NSDAR, was approved.
Thirteen applications for membership were approved, four were pending and one application was returned for additional documentation.
The chapter took its name, Ozark Spring, from an underground spring located one block east of Court Square in West Plains. The spring is a historically significant landmark in Howell County and was responsible for the county seat being located at West Plains. And, like its namesake, it is hoped the Ozark Spring Chapter, NSDAR, will make a significant contribution to our community through our commitment to the historic preservation, educational, and patriotic objectives of our National Society.
DAR – About Us and Our Mission
Want to learn more about DAR and what we do as members? Below are videos produced by NSDAR that discuss the history of NSDAR, the mission of the National Society, and how the NSDAR continues to impact communities today.