Our History
The Ponca City Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized in 1918. Mrs. J. W. Wilker was organizing regent with 24 members. The parent chapter was Kay County Chapter. The chapter has generously supported DAR schools and projects as well as local schools and civic groups. Ponca City Chapter members have served the Oklahoma Society DAR as officers and chairmen of state committees. In 1941 the chapter presented a cherry wood grandfather's clock with original brass works made during the Revolutionary War era to the state museum in Oklahoma City.
For the official Diamond Jubilee Project #743 commemorating Oklahoma's 75th anniversary as a state, Ponca City Chapter's book of "Marriage Records, 1893-1900" was compiled by member Doris Stanley and published in June 1983. Volume III of "Marriage Records for Kay County, 1900-1902" was published in 1986.
The Sarah Harrison Chapter of Blackwell merged with the Ponca City Chapter in June of 1998. Sarah Harrison Chapter was organized by Mrs. Cordelia Lunsford Beatty on February 11, 1914. There were 26 charter members from Kay County towns of Blackwell, Ponca City, Tonkawa, and Newkirk. The members chose the name of Mrs. Beatty's grandmother, Sarah Harrison, who was descended from Benjamin Harrison, as the chapter name.
In 1925, the Sarah Harrison Chapter presented a chair to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with the inscription "Sarah Harrison Chapter, Blackwell, Oklahoma, presents this chair in memory of our valiant ancestors." In 1954, a member of the chapter served as a page at Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.
Tonkawa Chapter merged with the Ponca City Chapter on June 5, 1999. The Tonkawa Chapter was organized March 18, 1926, with 15 charter members. Mrs. R. C. Whinery served as organizing regent. Through the 70 years as a chapter they were active in every facet of the organization and contributed to all projects. Many members attended Continental Congress where one chapter member served as a page. On the state level, several members served as chairmen of various committees. One member was elected as the Outstanding State Junior Member.
The chapter has presented the Excellence in American History Award at Tonkawa High School since 1928 and at Northern Oklahoma College since 1930.
Ponca City Chapter DAR and Education
Ponca City Chapter gives several awards and scholarships to students in local schools:
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Ponca City's DAR Museum
Ponca City Chapter maintains a DAR Museum in which over 200 items are on display. An 1838 spinning wheel handmade of solid walnut with some oak and cherry wood and a square grand piano made by Ayres Brothers prior to 1832 are on display in the museum. The DAR Museum is housed in Marland's Grand Home, 1000 East Grand, in Ponca City. Marland's Grand Home is the former home of E.W. Marland, who was the tenth Governor of Oklahoma. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior of the building, under the direction of Ponca City Chapter member Paula Denson, has recently been renovated and redecorated in the 1920's style and design.
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the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.