WHO WE ARE
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, promotes patriotism by presenting DAR Distinguished Citizen medals to veterans, organizing Vietnam Veterans appreciation events, and supporting local Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, preserves American history by marking the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers, hosting programs to highlight commemorative events and persons, and sponsoring DAR Historic Preservation Grants in the community.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, strives to educate children by participating in Read Across America programs, donating books to schools, and creating Constitution Week displays.
- September 2023 – Judge Clay Collins – “Bill of Rights”
- October 2023 – Rick Bassette – “The Battle of Bladensburg: The Rest of the Story”
- November 2023 – Charlie Rhodarmer – “Tellico Blockhouse and Sequoyah”
- December 2023 – Ray Smith – “Lost Statue of Nancy Ward”
- February 2024 – Laurie Allen – “50th Anniversary of Space Shuttle Program”
- March 2024 – Janie Bryant – “Costume Design: History in the Making”
- April 2024 – Jessica Duke – “Friends of the Troops”
- May 2024 – Jeff Atwood – “A Civil War Soldier’s Story”
- June 2024 – Richard “Butch” Ferguson – Kate Duncan Smith DAR School
- Leigh Ann Partin Boyd, Regent
- Betsy Bassette, First Vice Regent
- Ann McElrath, Second Vice Regent
- Linda Sneed, Chaplain
- Linda Foster, Recording Secretary
- Joanne Swafford, Corresponding Secretary
- Lori Boring, Treasurer
- Mary Charles Blair, Registrar
- Sarah Dorset, Historian
- Judie Brock, Librarian
- Michelle MorganBlair, Parliamentarian (Appointed)
To fulfill our National Society’s mission, the members of Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, organize and participate in a variety of activities and events that promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
In the Cherokee language, Ocoee is “Uwaga-hi,” meaning apricot or maypop. The Ocoee River is in Polk County, Tennessee, where it crosses the Georgia state line and becomes the Toccoa River. The Ocoee River became known worldwide when it hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics slalom canoe/kayak competition.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on December 4, 1909, at the home of Cooksey Harris Hardwick in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. Mrs. Hardwick was the organizing and first regent. A charter was granted by the National Society on March 21, 1910.
Cleveland, Tennessee
The thirteen charter members are as follows: Cooksey Harris Hardwick, Harris Hardwick Knox, Louise Ramsdall Linn, Sue Wood Herndon, Emma H. Goodner, Wingfield Seymour, Lollie Belle Hardwick, Frances Elizabeth Sheddan, Anna Lou Hall Rodgers, Ellen Sandusky Lang, Isabelle Tucker Hardwick, Carrie B. Johnston, and Margaret Hardwick.
Mary Louise Harle is the only member to serve as TSDAR state regent (1962-1965) and honorary state regent. Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, held a grave marking ceremony in Fall 2018, to place the DAR Insignia on Miss Harle’s grave at Fort Hill Cemetery.
Past Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, Regent
& Past TSDAR State Regent
