SCHENECTADA CHAPTER HISTORY
The chapter was organized October 15, 1911, at the home of the first Regent, Mrs. Harriet Colburn, with the NYS Regent, Mrs. Joseph Wood, and the NYS Vice Regent, Mrs. Joseph King, present. A U.S. flag was presented to the chapter on this occasion in memory of Solomon Vedder.
On December 14, 1911, Charter #995 was presented to the chapter. The total number of members in attendance was 51.
Mrs. Robert Gibbes, Regent 1924-1926, 1928-1930, was the first member of the chapter to hold state and national office, becoming NYS Regent in 1931 and Vice President General in 1935. A plaque honoring Mrs. Gibbes can be viewed in the Valley Forge Bell Tower.
The Silver Anniversary Celebration was held at the Van Curler Hotel. A silver tea set was purchased to commemorate the event.
The Golden Anniversary Celebration was held September 21, 1961. A silver candelabra was presented to commemorate the event. The last surviving charter member, Mrs. Maude Stauring, was presented with her 50 year pin.
Two Revolutionary Soldiers' graves were marked - Arnold Vedders in 1965 and Nicholas Veeder in 1971. They were the last surviving Revolutionary Soldiers in Schenectady.
The last few years have been very busy ones for our chapter. Members have donated their time to microfilm old documents at the NYS Library. The chapter began participating in Patriotic Parades; the first being the Armistice Parade in Albany and we are now taking part in the Memorial Day Parade in Scotia. The chapter is also taking part in Armistice Day Ceremonies at the Scotia Glenville Memorial Park.
Other firsts for our chapter are members speaking before other women's organizations in order to better educate our community as to what DAR is all about. We have held garage sales to raise money for our treasury and at our May meeting the past three years we have held a memorial service to honor our deceased members. In 1998 we held our first genealogical workshop.
On October 16, 1997, an informational meeting was held by our chapter at the Schenectady County Library regarding the Mohawk Valley Heritage Commission. A State Assemblyman from our area, the Director of the Commission, and an interpretive program speaker from Johnson Hall, Johnstown, N.Y., were speakers.
Our chapter has become involved in the field of conservation by hanging posters in public places reminding people to install carbon monoxide detectors, check their smoke alarm batteries, and hand out organ donor cards.
One of our projects for 1998 was the restoration, re-hanging and rededication of our Historical Marker at the Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction, designating the Mabee House as being one of the oldest in the Mohawk Valley.
This past year we have presented the DAR Conservation Award to a young woman who instituted the "Re-Tree Schenectady" program and presented the DAR Community Service Award to the lady responsible for starting the "Literacy Volunteers" program in Schenectady.
This year we again put the DAR Good Citizens Program back into our agenda. Our chapter winner also went on to become NYS District IV winner. She is a wonderful young woman who wants to become an officer in the United States Army.
As you can see, our chapter is becoming computer literate. Our regent has published newsletters to send to our members so those who cannot attend meetings or are not in the area can be kept informed. She has also used her e-mail to keep in contact with other members throughout the state and country. Our registrar uses her computer to complete new member applications and our recording secretary uses hers to record notes of meetings and transfer them to floppy discs for better maintenance of chapter files.
The Schenectada Chapter has come into the new century as a very active and viable chapter in our state and national organization. We could not have come this far without the continuing dedication of our past officers who are still serving us in various ways.
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