American History and Historic Preservation

Local Leader Honored with Women in American History Certificate

Barbara Wilson

The chapter honored the director and program manager for Boeing Company's T-45 Training System Program, for her outstanding leadership in St. Louis. She serves on the boards of the Saint Louis Zoo and St. John's Mercy Foundation and as the Boeing executive liaison to Tuskegee University. She is a mentor for the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club and a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. The St. Louis Business Journal recognized her as one of the city's "Most Influential Business Women of 2009." The honoree says that one of the most rewarding parts of her job is knowing that she plays a key role in leading hard-working, dedicated Boeing employees in their mission to support the U.S. military.

Daniel Boone Trail Markings

Four Daniel Boone Trails in the St. Louis area were marked by MSSDAR in 2010. Shown below is the marking of the eastern trail head of The Fort Osage Trail. The marker is located in St. Charles, Missouri, in a small park in the historic district honoring Daniel Boone. St. Charles was the first capital of Missouri.

Trail marking

NSDAR Historic Preservation Medal Awarded

The NSDAR Historic Preservation Medal was presented to a local volunteer for her long-standing work with Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. The presentation ceremony was held in October 2009, in front of the Piper Palm House. The president of the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation was the featured speaker.

NSDAR Historic Preservation Medal

Chapter Historic Markers

Chief Pontiac, Great Chief of the Ottawas

1901, Marble tablet with bronze plaque commemorates Chief Pontiac, Great Chief of the Ottawas, who died near St. Louis in 1769. This was the first historic marking by a DAR chapter in Missouri. The chapter continues to try to locate the tablet, which was originally placed at the Southern Hotel in St. Louis.

Chief Pontiac

Unknown Revolutionary War Soldiers Grave Marker and Plaque

1904, Large red Missouri granite boulder with a plaque in memory of 26 unknown Revolutionary War soldiers who died between 1808 and 1828 while serving at Fort Belle Fontaine in north St. Louis County, Missouri. The remains were moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in 1904. In 2003, the chapter rededicated the marker.

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

St. Louis Spanish Expedition Victory Against the British in 1781

1903, Copper tablet commemorating the victory of the Spanish expedition from St. Louis to a British fort at St. Joseph, Michigan, on 2 January 1781. The tablet was created by Antoinette Pierson Taylor, a noted St. Louis artist who was a chapter member. The marker was given to the Missouri Historical Society. In 1905, a white marble tablet (on the right) commemorating the same battle was placed on Old Government House in St. Louis. The marker disappeared when Government House was demolished.

Copper tablet Spanish Expedition marker

Agricultural and Mechanical Fair

1911, Missouri granite boulder, with plaque, commemorating the site of the first Agricultural and Mechanical Fair held west of the Mississippi River in 1856. It is located in Fairgounds Park in St. Louis. The chapter is replacing the plaque. (No photo available.)

Great Seal of the State of Missouri

1912, A painted replica of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri was presented to the Missouri Historical Society.

Great Seal of Missouri

Colonel Samuel Hammond, First Military Commandant of St. Louis

1913, Tablet honoring Colonel Samuel Hammond, first military commandant of St. Louis (1804). The tablet is located at the Missouri Historical Society's Jefferson Memorial Building.

Boone's Lick Road Historic Trail

1913, Historic marker commemorating the beginning of Boone's Lick Road, first used in 1764. It is located in Keiner Memorial Plaza in downtown St. Louis.

World War I Veterans

1922, Large tablet in honor of the St. Louis men who died or were wounded in World War I. It is located in the lobby of St. Louis City Hall.

Governor Frederick Bates, First Territorial Governor of Missouri

1926, Grave of Frederick Bates (1777-1825) , Governor of Missouri 1824-1825, was marked, and is located in Faust Park in St. Louis. It was rededicated in 2005.

Governor Frederick Bater (MO) grave

World War I Gold Star Court of Honor

1928, Donated the Gold Star Court of Honor, 14 trees with bronze markers containing names of St. Louisans killed during service in World War I. Destroyed for a construction project.

American Revolution Bicentennial

1976, American Revolution Bicentennial plaque, located at the Old Courthouse, St. Louis, Missouri.

Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial

2006, Lewis and Clark camped at Camp Belle Fontaine on their return from the expedition. Fort Belle Fontaine is located on the Missouri River in north St. Louis County.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Patriot Walk Trees and Markers

The chapter planted ten trees in Millennium Park. Each tree will be marked with a plaque honoring veterans of American wars. The first plaque, honoring veterans of the American Revolutionary War, is shown below.

Tree

Historic Preservation and Markers

Coldwater Cemetery, Florissant, Missouri

The historic Cold Water Cemetery, Florissant, Missouri, is owned and operated by Missouri State Society DAR. It is listed on the National Historic Register (photo above).

In 1901, the chapter placed a marker in the rotunda of the Southern Hotel in St. Louis, commemorating Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa. This marker was the first historic marker placed by a Missouri DAR chapter.

Since that time, the chapter has placed 16 markers, ranging from marking historic buildings to marking historic trails, war memorials, and the graves of Real Daughters.