Keeping Revolutionary spirit of DAR within Fair Park and Dallas.
Blink and you might miss it. Set between the Centennial Building and Women’s Museum is a white frame house that harkens back to another era in its stateliness. This is the home of the Jane Douglas chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, also known as the DAR. Originally built for the 1936 Texas Centennial, it served as the hospitality house for State Fair visitors and was sponsored by Continental Oil Company (now Conoco). Incidentally, it was the only totally air conditioned building at the 1936 Texas Centennial. In 1937, the building was deeded to the Jane Douglas Chapter. Founded in 1890, the DAR is a non-profit volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, patriotism and education.
Mary Hall Marshall serves as the current Regent of the Jane Douglas chapter. To be eligible for DAR membership, a woman must show proof that a lineal ancestor—male or female—fought in the American Revolution or was sympathetic to the cause. Mrs. Marshall counts 10 such ancestors, including a 12-year-old Minute Man who served under Paul Revere in the Massachusetts area.
“Actually the majority of Americans can find roots in the American Revolution if they dig deep enough. We are very diverse, with members of most ethnic origins, religions and races. There are 3,000 chapters in all 50 states, as well as international chapters as far away as Japan. Many of these patriot ancestors gave their lives or fortunes to establish the United States of America and its freedoms. They went through many hardships to pioneer their way across this country.” Mrs. Marshall has found their stories in places like county historical records where people shared their biographies.
See all the American history inside.
Within the DAR house, Mary and her fellow members maintain an extraordinary collection of donated treasures circa Colonial times and the early to mid 1800s. Dolly Madison’s lace shawl, early dolls in wooden cradles, heirloom china, candlesticks, spectacles and doctors’ implements are just a few of the historical items on view when the DAR house is open to the for 24 days during the State Fair of Texas. There are also rare flags displayed throughout the house, including a very impressive 49-star American flag, issued in the months between January, 1959 when Alaska became a state…and August, 1959 when Hawaii joined the Union. Videos are also shown during the Fair about various fascinating aspects of the American Revolution, such as great battles, colonial dress and the original White House.
“During the Fair, we also host a number of American heritage-oriented activities. Most notable is the Flag Retirement Ceremony, which is very moving for visitors of all ages. Another highlight is when the “New Andrews Sisters” sing their boogie-woogie American standards.”
Setting her sights on DAR early on.
Mary Hall Marshall grew up in Garland and now lives in Richardson with her husband (Wes). As a child she was very “artsy-craftsy” and loved to write; today she is the author of several short stories. Mary is a doll restoration artist and has always enjoyed hobbies of a historical nature.
Becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Dallas was actually a lifelong goal for Mary. “When I was a little girl, I used to see members of the Jane Douglas DAR chapter written up in the society pages. I had stars in my eyes that one day I’d be part of all that. It was the 1950’s and my aunt couldn’t find the documentation to prove her lineage…genealogy resources just weren’t available like they are today at places like the LDS Church’s vast genealogy records and public libraries. In the 1980s, I started looking in earnest for ancestors and was able to prove our family’s lineage on both my mother’s and father’s sides.” Mary Hall Marshall became a member in 1989.
“Our hope for the future of the DAR is to make people even more aware of the importance of America’s history and the sacrifice that went into securing the freedoms we now enjoy,” says Mrs. Marshall. “Jane Douglas Chapter would like to restore the chapter house as the National, State and Local landmark it is and be able to open it to the public, for such occasions as weddings and private parties. Another huge goal is to help inner city schoolchildren and continue to support such worthwhile organizations as Genesis Women’s Shelter and North Texas Food Bank. Our chapter has some great, active women who truly care about our country, our community, and each other.”
For more information on Jane Douglas Chapter, visit their web site.
