Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
On March 7, 1930, Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, of Greensboro and Alexander Martin Chapter, NSDAR, of High Point, joined in the erection of a tablet at Guilford College, marking the birthplace of Dolley Payne Todd Madison, wife of President James Madison.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
Chapter members erected a monument in Bruce Park to honor Revolutionary War Patriot and statesman Charles Bruce and bugler James Gilles who was killed by British soldiers.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
On the front of the monument in Bruce Park is a bronze plaque with highlights of Charles Bruce’s political career during the American Revolution and early days of the Republic.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
Chapter members mark the grave of Adeline Cleveland Blair, chapter regent from 1912–1919.
Chapter History
The Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, has earned the distinction of being a DAR Centennial Chapter (older than 100 years). It was organized on September 5, 1901, at the Greensboro residence of organizing Chapter Regent Addie Von Noppen. The chapter’s charter was received on April 30, 1902. It is currently the third oldest chapter in North Carolina. Community service projects throughout its history have promoted historic preservation, patriotism, and education.
Photo Courtesy Guilford Courthouse
National Military Park
The chapter’s namesake, the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and the battleground it preserves, is a special place to us. Service projects in the earliest days of the chapter were to gather and preserve Revolutionary War relics by placing them in a glass case at the park’s museum and to serve dinner to the dignitaries who came to the large annual July Fourth celebrations there. Throughout its history, the chapter has participated in monument unveilings and commemoration ceremonies. In 1954, along with Rachel Caldwell Chapter, NSDAR, Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, acquired, authenticated, and donated an American Revolutionary War era drum, which was said to have been used during the battle.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
In 1976, the chapter donated four entrance gates to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. In 1987, after the famous Greensboro Liberty Oak died, the chapter acquired a seedling from the original tree and planted it in the park. In 2016, the chapter led the service project to document and build a database of Battle of Guilford Courthouse participants for the park.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
In 1923, Bruce Park in Summerfield was donated to the chapter and a monument was erected to honor Revolutionary War Patriot and statesman Charles Bruce and also bugler James Gilles who was killed by British soldiers near there. Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, continues to own and maintain Bruce Park today. The earliest marker the chapter erected was in 1913 as part of the national organization’s project to place markers along the path Daniel Boone took through the Appalachian Mountain barrier. Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, marker was at Holman’s Ford, North Carolina. The chapter has continued to mark other historic spots. With the help of the Alexander Martin Chapter, NSDAR, the chapter marked the Guilford Courthouse battleground as a stop on George Washington’s 1791 tour of southern states and also marked the Greensboro birthplace of Dolley Madison. Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, was granted permission to name the bridge over Deep Water River in Franklinville after the Revolutionary War Patriot Andrew Hunter and erected a monument to dedicate the bridge to Revolutionary Patriots of Randolph County. The chapter erected a monument on the site of the first courthouse in Guilford County and also marked the historical home known as the Old John McLean house in Sedalia where Colonel William Washington was said to have stayed after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The graves of more than 40 Revolutionary War Patriots have been marked by the chapter.
During World War I, the chapter organized and staffed major support efforts in the community, including Greensboro’s first Red Cross chapter. During World War II, chapter members collectively had 49 sons and daughters in the service and further supported the war effort through volunteer hours and war bond purchases. Fourteen chapter members earned a pin for more than 750 volunteer hours during the war and one member logged more than 3000 hours. Support of active duty military personnel and veterans continues today. An annual holiday luncheon for local veterans has been held in the community since 2009. Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, has participated in naturalization ceremonies and receptions for new citizens since early 1920.
The chapter has supported community classrooms as well as DAR sponsored schools. As early as 1926, the chapter sponsored history themed essay contests for local schools. More recently, the chapter built libraries in newly renovated cottages on the Winston–Salem campus of Crossnore School and Children’s Home. In 2018, a chapter scholarship was established to be awarded to a Guilford County student who has demonstrated dedication to historic preservation, patriotism or education.
Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, members are awed by the energy and dedication of the Daughters who came before us and are honored by the responsibility to continue their legacy.
Photo Courtesy Chapter Archives
In 2015 members of the Guilford Battle Chapter, NSDAR, stand proudly at the rededication of the Dolley Madison monument to celebrate 125 years of DAR service to historic preservation, patriotism, and education.
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