Welcome to the web site of the Anthony Wayne Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Our chapter was organized in Mankato, Minnesota, on June 20, 1899, at a meeting in the home of founder, Miss Nettie Severance. There were thirteen charter members. In December, the chapter received its National Charter. The name was chosen from a list, provided by the National Society, of suitable Revolutionary War heroes; the chapter members were impressed by the colorful personality of "mad Anthony" and the "euphony" of the name. They only later learned that one of the early steamboats on the Minnesota River was the "Anthony Wayne."

Early meetings of the chapter were mainly social, with an occasional historical paper being read. The earliest community activities involved sponsoring essay contests in the schools. During World War I, chapter members were heavily involved in relief efforts. In 1917, they organized Mankato's first Red Cross chapter, long before the National Red Cross promoted local chapters. In World War II, the chapter was equally active becoming the leading Mankato women's organization in the USO drive.

The chapter has placed several markers to commemorate historical events in the area. Some of these markers honored:

1. Fort L'Huillier, the first white settlement in Minnesota, built in 1700 by Pierre LeSueur,
2. The first school house in Mankato, 1855-1857, located on the grounds of the Union School, now Union Square,
3. Mankato's first Town Bell, purchased in 1857 and now located in the belfry of the First Presbyterian Church,
4. Early steamboats on the Minnesota River.

Other community activities in which the chapter has participated in are:

• organizing historical pageants and parades,
• presenting flags and documents to the schools,
• conducting vesper services at the YWCA,
• helping to conduct Memorial Day services,
• sponsoring a Campfire Girl group,
• helping establish the Blue Earth County Mexican Center for migrant workers,
• giving DAR Manuals of Citizenship to Americanization classes,
• awarding ROTC gold medals,
• conducting history essay contests in area schools,
• recognizing outstanding teachers of American History.