The Tualatin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded by 18 members in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on April 12, 1958. Mrs. Emmet Stoddard was a founding member and our first chapter regent.
Chapter meetings are held on the 1st Monday of the month, October through May (except January), at 10:00 AM. Our annual Summer Luncheon takes place in August.
Our chapter name, “Tualatin," reflects its historical significance to Oregon. Tualatin derives from the Indian word “Tuality” or Twality” meaning slow, restful, or peaceful. These adjectives all describe the Tualatin River and the scenic and peaceful valley through which it flows. The first of the original four districts in the Oregon Territory was also named Tualatin.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION Tualatin Chapter is especially proud of our two historical museum complexes owned and operated by the Oregon State Society DAR (OSSDAR): Newell Pioneer Village (link to NPV) and Caples House Museum (link to Caples). Members support our museums by participating in educational activities with school tours, fundraising events, volunteer work and committee service. Members clean up some of the gravesites at Oswego Pioneer Cemetery and have installed an historic marker at the Robert Bird Pioneer Cemetery. Ongoing genealogy research is an integral part of DAR and our chapter.
EDUCATION We actively work with local high schools to promote the annual DAR Good Citizens Award Contest which recognizes an outstanding senior student. Members volunteer in classrooms and encourage literacy promotion. Throughout our chapter’s history, we have supported DAR Schools with special emphasis on Chemawa Indian School, a residential high school, in Salem, Oregon. OSSDAR contributes towards tuition and expenses as does Tualatin Chapter. We assist with funding for their annual Christmas party, attend graduations and other ceremonies. Members also provide books for the library among other items.
PATRIOTISM We are grateful to all veterans who have served and are currently serving in the United States Military. Active military is supported through Project Patriot. We donate personal use items to the Portland VA Hospital annually. Our chapter also supports Operation Diaper Bag and Fisher House through goods and services. “Wreaths Across America” is dear to our hearts as is honoring our veterans each November at our regular meeting. Learning more about our patriots is part of the “America 250!” NSDAR project.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Tualatin Chapter members march in the annual Lake Oswego 4th of July Parade, led by our own “Betsy Ross”. During Constitution Week in September, we celebrate by mounting public displays of DAR and other patriotic related materials at local libraries. We also provide local libraries with subscriptions to the DAR Magazine "American Spirit." Members contribute numerous hours volunteering for other local organizations and churches.