BEND CHAPTER, NSDAR
Bend, Oregon
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Chapter History
Sitting on a sunny high desert plateau at the foot of the majestic Cascade Mountains, Central Oregon is one of this country's most beautiful and diverse areas. With pine forests and mountain lakes to the west, sagebrush desert and painted hills to the east, the scenic Deschutes River running through the center, and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, our area is a paradise for anyone who loves the great outdoors, the changing seasons, and an active and busy community.
Membership of the Bend Chapter NSDAR is equally diverse. We live as far away as Silver Lake to the south, Madras to the north, Sisters to the west, and Prineville to the east, though the majority of our members live in the Bend area. We are all ages and come from all walks of life.
We come together to promote the objectives of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, which are historic preservation, education, and patriotism. We enjoy good friendships, common interests, and sharing our wisdom.
Bend Chapter NSDAR, was established on March 25, 1942, at a dinner meeting in the Pine Tavern. The organizing members considered calling themselves the Pilot Butte Chapter; but in May 1942, the chapter was officially named Bend Chapter. Formed from the Deschutes Chapter of Redmond, which was organized in 1919, Lorraine Gard Eriksen, organizing regent, was elected Bend Chapter's first regent.
As our country was at war, our chapter provided support to the ongoing WWII effort by giving blood and money. In 1945-46, the women of Bend Chapter gave 2,042 hours of service to the American Red Cross. These women donated clothing to Russian relief, and each member entertained service men in her home during the year. We still work to support our troops overseas and help those veterans who have become incapacitated with our donations to veterans' hospitals.
Over the years, Bend Chapter has officially recognized local students, adults, and others who have given generously of their time and talents in service to the Bend area community in the areas of our objectives, historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Our growing membership looks forward to continued contributions to our area-wide community in these objectives.
The Activities section of this website provides much information regarding what we have been doing for the past decade.
This historic DAR Marker, which commemorates Oregon's first 100 years, is located in Drake Park in downtown Bend, on the Deschutes River. It is embedded in a slab of native lava rock and marks the site of an Oregon Historic Landmark.
This site was the location of a one room log cabin which was first a shelter for travelers, later the home of Bend's first school, and the location of Bend's first church service.
In March, 1903, the first issue of The Bulletin, our local newspaper, was printed here.
Chapter Patriots
The DAR patriot ancestor database includes information taken from verified DAR membership applications. Please be aware that the database is not a comprehensive list of all who served in the Revolutionary War; new patriots are added as they are proven through DAR membership applications.
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