OUR CHAPTER

The Waightstill Avery Chapter, NSDAR was established in 1921 and named for Revolutionary War patriot Waightstill Avery, an attorney who led the independence movement in North Carolina and was the state’s first Attorney General. Miss Annie Gash, founding member and first chapter Regent, was a direct descendant of Waightstill Avery. In 1988 chapter members and Avery descendants placed a DAR marker on the grave of this American patriot.

OUR MEMBERS

Like the town of Brevard, our chapter is growing rapidly. Many of our members are natives of North Carolina and the adjoining southern states, but others are relative newcomers to this Blue Ridge Mountain community who came here from Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri and Hawaii. We welcome membership inquiries from any woman eighteen years of age and older who believes she may be a descendant of an American patriot.

WHAT WE DO

We are proud of our work with students throughout Transylvania County to increase their awareness of and interest in our American heritage. For many years, the Waightstill Avery Chapter has sponsored, the annual DAR American History Essay Contest for fifth-grade students. We also award a DAR Good Citizenship Medal to eighth graders chosen for their leadership abilities, and a Good Citizens Award to graduating high school seniors from Brevard High School and Rosman High School.

Our chapter participates each year in the local Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our country. We also take part in Brevard’s gala Fourth of July celebration, where our booth is becoming a star-spangled, red, white and blue tradition!

WHEN WE MEET

Regular meetings of the Waightstill Avery Chapter take place at 1 p.m. on the second Monday of each month from September through May. For Meeting time and place, contact: Rosie Craig, Regent.

OUR OFFICERS

Our officers from May, 2009 through April, 2011 are:

Rosie Craig ----------------------------Regent

Ann Dockens ----------------------------Corresponding Secretary

Sally Baker ----------------------------Registrar

Dorothy Vaniman ----------------------------------------Chaplain