~ Activities ~

Members of the William Bethell Chapter have contributed their talents, funds and time to educational, civic and patriotic endeavors throughout the years.  Crossnore School and Ellis Island were the recipients of many boxes from the fledging chapter. We remember Crossnore and Tamassee students through individual contributions, with soup labels and with donations to the Bird Cage,  a storage area for Christmas and birthday gifts for the boys and girls of Crossnore School. 

In the 1970s the chapter helped in raising funds for the restoration of the Governor Reid house in Reidsville.  Members also have worked in conjunction with the Rockingham County Historical Society on projects such as the restoration of the Wright Tavern in Wentworth. Countless volunteer hours are now spent in the Genealogy Room in the Madison Library in addition to the time spent compiling marriage and will records for publication.    

The chapter has honored American Revolutionary War soldiers with grave markers.  Captain William Bethell, Sr. is among those so honored.  Real Daughters are the actual daughters of Patriots who served our country during the American Revolution.  The grave of Mariah Williams Pearson, daughter of William Williams, Revolutionary War soldier, was marked April 11, 1993. 

Our chapter was extremely proud to present the DAR History Medal to Robert W. Carter, Jr., in May 1986, for his work in promoting local history.

 We were equally pleased to sponsor Ward Triche in 1993 when he was recognized and honored as Outstanding American History Teacher of Year at the State Conference.  Triche was subsequently selected as a runner-up in the national competition.

In May 1996 our chapter awarded the DAR Medal of Honor to former Brigadier General William Ernest Riggs. This medal is given to individuals in recognition for that person’s leadership, trustworthiness, and willingness to serve and was the only one presented in North Carolina that year.

The chapter sponsors the American History Essay Contest, soliciting entries from public and private elementary and middle schools.  Also a DAR Good Citizen from Reidsville High School is honored annually.  Essay winners and the DAR Good Citizen are honored in a February luncheon.  Recently we have begun presenting JROTC medals to deserving students at Reidsville and Rockingham County High Schools.

Our chapter adopted a high traffic area from the Reidsville Beautification Commission.  Members maintain the landscape that was installed by the Reidsville High School Future Farmers of America Chapter.  In 2004 our chapter received the Nancy Shannon Drew Membership Bowl for Most Increased Membership.