"Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families."

Benjamin Rush, letter to His Fellow Countrymen: On Patriotism, October 20, 1773

We are a diverse group of ladies who possess many different talents and interests. We range in age from 20s to 90s. Members from our chapter have served the NSDAR in many leadership roles including seven district directors, eight state officers, one state regent, and one national officer. We share a common bond that our ancestor(s) furthered the cause of freedom in the Revolutionary War. We possess a strong desire to learn more about colonial days and to preserve this knowledge for our children and grandchildren.

The Roanoke Valley consists of four local governments; Roanoke City-"The Star City", Roanoke County (carved out of Botetourt County in 1838), Salem (founded by General Andrew Lewis in the mid-1700s and chartered as a city in 1968), and Vinton (first settled by David Gish in 1838). 

Our valley is home to several institutes of higher education: Roanoke College, Virginia Western Community College, and Hollins University. Roanoke City has been awarded the "All–America City" designation three times.  In addition, our area is known for several festivals and major events: the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, Roanoke's Festival in the Park, Vinton’s Dogwood Festival, The Sidewalk Art Show, Virginia Championship Chili Cook-off, Strawberry Festival, and The Salem Fair.

We serve our community in many different ways: from sending two pet therapy teams to our local Veterans Medical Center to visit on a regular basis, to remembering those who have served our country on special occasions, and to recognizing outstanding students in the area. Our members help others trace their roots, raise money for the USO, and are literacy volunteers.  A DAR Good Citizen Award is given annually to a graduating senior from the local high school we sponsor. We participate in programs that involve interests in historical events, genealogy, antiques, education, and national defense. We encourage our members to take field trips to historical sites in our area and the surrounding region.

Our meetings are held the second Saturday of the month at 10:00 A.M, beginning with a business session, usually a featured speaker, followed with light refreshments.

Our current 2007-2009 projects include participating in the town of Vinton’s Fourth of July Celebration, a literacy project, writing biographies about chapter members' patriots, and caring for the family cemetery of one of our ancestors.

Chaplain: * * Lillian Godard Lowe * *

Corresponding/Recording Secretary: * * Regina Flinchum Sutphin **

Treasurer: * * Sarah Smith Newcomb * *

Registrar: * * Rayelle Sheffer Williamson * *

Historian/Librarian: * * Nancy Scouten Dewhurst * *     

National Daughters of the American Revolution              Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution

Web Design by:  Rayelle S. Williamson & Lee H. Woody

Last updated: September 21, 2008

Web Master: Lee H. Woody