The Daughters of the Republic of Texas March 2015 Volume , Issue
Ellen McCaffrey, President General
Friday morning greeted us with cold n December 6th, the Elisabet and drizzle! But Saturday night it was O Ney Chapter, Washington/ pouring. Virginia/Maryland was chartered. Inside this issue: Ten DRT members traveled from Texas Ladies are tough and they still Elisabet Ney Texas to attend and participate in the managed to get some surprisingly Chapter Charter chartering. On very short notice, U.S. good and unusual photos. Several of & Christmas at Rep. Peter Sessions’ office managed our new friends in the Elisabet Ney the White get tickets for a White House tour. Chapter have vowed to come to San House! Friday morning at 8:30 am we were Antonio for convention. We can’t wait waiting in line. December is the only to see them and catch up. Medallion Dedi- month when you may take photos in cation the White House. It is decorated for A Human Relations training seminar was held in November. Employees Texas History Christmas and it was breathtaking. from the Alamo (10), the French Le- Essay Contests Several members went to the DAR Museum while the rest walked from gation (1) and Headquarters (1) at- District Fundrais- the White House to the Capitol. tended along with 2 members of the ing Challenge BOM. Feedback has been very posi- After a tour of the Capitol, we re- tive; one supervisor said it was the French Legation turned to our hotel to rest up for din- best training session he’d attended in Director’s Report ner that evening. We were guests of 15+ years. Several asked when the Elisabet Ney Chapter Organizing next training session would be and Report to DRT President Priscilla Roberts for dinner the topic. The seminar was presented Library Collec- by Judy Wolfe a professional Human tion Committee at the Ft. Meyers Officers Club in Ar- lington The chartering ceremony was Convention held Saturday at the Army Navy 2015! Country Club in Arlington. The cere- mony was followed with lunch and a lot of visiting and photography.
The clubhouse is lovely and their dec- orations were almost as over the top as those at the White House. That evening several ladies took a bus tour of Washington, DC while the others took the metro in search of dinner. Judy Wolfe and Ellen McCaffrey
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Ellen McCaffrey cont.
Relations Facilitator and she has been a wonderful The French Legation and the Library committee asset to me and our staff. meetings always include reports from their directors. The January reports are included in this newsletter This year’s Alamo employees’ recognition dinner was so you can see what wonderful things are going on held December 11th at Rita’s on the River. Attend- at each facility. ance was higher than last year and a lot noisier – which tells me they had a good time! The French The Republic of Texas Museum Committee is spon- th Legation employees were given gift cards at the De- soring a Symposium on March 26 – “Women of the cember committee meeting and the HQ employees Republic of Texas.” Tickets can be purchased on joined that Committee for lunch and a gift exchange the drtinfo.org\members site – Museum tab – bottom of the page. Credit card or PayPal accounts may be and also received gift cards. used when paying.
th th Deadline for submitting 4 and 7 grade student es- Soon March and April will bring our beautiful Blue- th th says as well as a nominee for 4 or 7 grade Texas bonnets! The drive from Houston to Austin is so History teacher is approaching. Chapters must have much more fun then. Hope to see everyone at their submissions to their District Representative by Convention in San Antonio, May 14-16, 2015. st March 1 . The winners will be recognized at Histori- cal Dinner at Convention. Look for more details in Ellen this newsletter.
White House tree decorated with miniature buildings. Gingerbread White House in the State Dining Room.
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Sights and Sounds cont.
First Row from left to right: Evelyn Reininger, HQ Committee & TX Lin- eage Research Prog.; Judy Sien, TX Lineage Research Prog.; Elisabet Ney Chapter members Marilyn Cates- Copeland & Lloyce West; Ellen McCaffrey, President General; Priscilla Roberts, Elisabet Ney Organ- izing President; Sarah Hardy, Elisabet Ney Organizing Registrar.
Back Row from left to right: Esther Silva, CRT Registrar General; Alice Nowotny, HQ Committee; Carolyn Raney, 5th VPG; Dr. Betty Edwards, 1st VPG and President General Elect; Joyce Rodgers; Barbara Stevens, Registrar General; Melissa Goodrich, Recording Sec’y General; Elisabet Ney Chapter members Elaine Paine & Lucy Hardy.
Dinner Friday night at the Ft. Myers Officers Club, Arlington, VA.
Pictured L to R: Sarah Hardy, Or- ganizing Registrar and Vice-President; Lucy Hardy; Nella Neary; Kathryn Mur- ray; Jennifer Macdonald; Lloyce West, Registrar; Eleanor White; Ann High- tower; Carolyn Goins; Priscilla Roberts, Organizing President and President; Marilyn Cates-Copeland, Correspond- ing Secretary; Kitty Hoeck, Historian; Elaine Paine, Recording Secretary.
Chartering of Elisabet Ney Chapter, DRT at the Army-Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA The President General’s Newsletter Page 4
DRT Historic Site Medallion Dedication at Fannin’s Burial Site
On Sunday, October 19th, the Presidio La Bahia Chapter of the DRT held a historic site medallion unveil- ing. Under oak trees by the Fannin Monument, Scott McMahon, Interim Director of the Presidio spoke of the history of the Presidio. In attendance were 70 people, including members of the DRT BOM, the Republic of Texas Museum Committee and leaders of Goliad’s local government. The dedication was followed by refresh- ments within the walls of the Presidio La Bahia. Ex- cerpts from the dedication are: “You stand on bloody ground! Lives lost here generation upon generation; Indians against Spanish; French against Spain; New Spain against Old Spain; Mexico against Texans; Texans against the Union. He- roes and cowards - men hungry for land and women crying over the loss of their families. We stand in a swirling wind of emotions here. Today we remember an army of men defeated and held captured then told they were going home or gathering firewood or getting food and they were walked out the South Gate of the Presidio and were shot. We remember these men and that tumultuous time and we are thankful that others cared for our histo- ry and preserved it for us. Today we honor this loca- tion, this site of so much.” The ceremony closed with the DRT members pictured from left to right: sound of Taps. Cathy Lott, Julia Lopez, Martha Fleitas, Mary Ann Oli- ver and Judy Bode.
Texas History Essay and Outstanding Texas History Teacher Contests these deserving people. Donations for The Education and Flag Committee “The Legend of Jim Bowie.” the Laura Lanigan Texas History Fund conducts an annual Outstanding Fourth were collected at the workshops. and Seventh Grade Texas History Es- The Texas History Teacher Awards Many chapters have changed their say Contest for students and selects an are found on the tool bar below the annual donation from the Alamo to the Outstanding Fourth and Seventh essays. Teachers deserve the recogni- “essay contest” fund. A highlight of Grade Texas History Teacher. tion for going above and beyond pre- Convention is the recognition of the senting materials that intrigue our stu- winners at Historical Dinner. The DRT Essay Contest for 2015 dents creating a lasting interest in Tex- was announced last May in Lubbock. It as history. There are many that inspire If you have any questions, please con- can be found on the public DRT site our students and as DRT members, we tact Carolyn Raney, Fifth Vice Presi- (www.drtinfo.org ) >Education >Texas hope to encourage our schools to rec- dent General, (972) 690-6117, car- History Awards >Student Essay Contest ognize them. [email protected] , or 2413 or the member site (www.drtinfo.org/ Grandview Drive, Richardson, TX A monetary award for the students members) >About DRT >Texas History 75080. Awards >Student Essay Contest. The is $500, $750 for the teachers, and fourth grade topic is “The Runaway $1000 for the schools of the winning Scrape.” For the seventh grade, it is teachers. This is a small amount for The President General’s Newsletter Page 5
I am excited to announce cally count toward the challenge. the new Republic of Texas DRT Members and Chapters making gifts of $5,000 History Complex District or more will receive premier recognition at the new Re- Fundraising Challenge! public of Texas History Complex. Special recognition will be provided at A DRT member from a West the 2015 Convention to Chapters and Districts who Texas Chapter has chal- meet the match, who have raised the most dollars within lenged each of our 10 Dis- the time period, or have had the highest percentage tricts to match her gift of participation. $25,000 by the 2015 Con- The Republic of Texas History Complex is our future and vention. will preserve our rich history while serving as a beacon for future generations of Daughters to come. If each of our districts matches the challenge, we Please give generously -- we need each and every will be $250,000 closer to Daughter to support this project to make it a reality. achieving our vision of a complex worthy of housing the many treasured artifacts Please make checks payable to: and histories the Daughters have tirelessly collected for DRT Republic of Texas History Complex Fund more than 100 years.
Mail to: Daughters of the Republic of Texas The challenge is simple: 510 E. Anderson Ln. All gifts made by DRT Members and Chapters be- Austin, Texas 78752-1218 tween June 2014 & the 2015 Convention will automati-
BYLAWS & MANUAL
OF PROCEDURE Mirabeau B. Lamar is com- (MOP) monly known as the “Father of Texas Education.” In DRT Bylaws and the CRT Manual of Procedure are both posted on the website. 1838, he pushed for lands They can be downloaded to your computer for viewing to be set aside to fund public schools and and/or printing. Suggestion: save the files to a jump universities in Texas, and although he did drive, take it to a copying store and have it printed and spiral bound. Printing it 8 ½ by 11 allows you to use a not attend college himself due to financial larger font, the spiral binding lays flat or can be folded – reasons, he deeply appreciated education it is very user friendly. The cost was about $5 for the by- and was a senator, journalist, poet, and sol- laws. Printing it on both sides of the paper reduces the dier as well as the second president of the thickness and the cost. And now you have some “light” bedtime reading! Republic of Texas!
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The Republic of Texas Museum Committee presents “Women of the Republic of Texas.” March 26, 2015 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Texas State Cemetery Gallery 909 Navasota St., Austin, TX 78702
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, “Unflinching Courage: Pioneer- ing Women Who Shaped Texas” Dr. Paula Marks, “Turn Your Eyes Toward Texas, Pioneers Sam and Mary Maverick” James Haley, “The Texas Supreme Court: A Narrative History 1836-1986”
Photo Credit: Lara Berendt Donation of $60 includes lunch. http://laraberendt.com/texas-state-cemetery.html Afterwards, you are invited on a guided tour of the Texas State Cemetery.
committee members. Extensive plan- The first Members Open House ning and marketing are crucial for a was held on December 7. The weather successful event, followed by a post and attendance were poor but we re- event evaluation. ceived very positive comments from On December 13th, the Festival those who did come. of Carols was a huge success. Eight We are planning two one-day elementary school choirs performed camps during school holidays in Janu- and there were activities, games, con- ary & February: cessions and the historic house and de- January 19th--small group-- tached kitchen were open for tours. archeology activities The weather was great and about 800 February 16th--small group--19th cen- The French Legation people came and went during the af- tury activities ternoon. The program brought in March 29th – Children’s Picnic ‐ An an- Director’s Report $877; after expenses we cleared nual program with Edible Austin and December 2014 about $450. There were no group the SANDE Youth Program, this is a tours in December. Congratulations to large outdoor food & education event. Jenny for organizing this great and April 7th - The Legislative Ladies asked growing event. to reschedule their event to this date. December brought 985 peo- The Classical Christmas concert April TBD - Lecture with Patrick Foley, ple to the museum grounds: 800 peo- on December 6th was the fourth with author of the biography “Missionary ple attended the Festival of Carols, Spotlight Concerts. Held in the de- Bishop: Jean‐Marie Odin in Galveston 100 toured the Historic House and tached kitchen, the music was enjoyed & New Orleans”, it includes discussion Kitchen during the open houses and by 20 visitors and refreshments were of his time in Austin. tours were given to 92 non-event visi- available from a station outside the Facilities and tors. kitchen. The event went very well and Grounds: I am pleased Several programs were held in confirmed that the kitchen will provide to announce that we December by Program Coordinator, a great space for lectures and small have received the first Jenny Phillips with the help of staff and events of this size. half of the rental fee
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from the French group in Angers— cation for the Texas Preservation Trust been made and are being installed. AF83. They are renting the grounds for Fund administered by the Texas Histor- This includes upgrades to PastPerfect, the whole of SXSW to provide oppor- ical Commission. The application is for MS Operating System for 4 computers, tunities for the public to sample every- the Comprehensive Interpretive Master and MS Office for all computers thing from French food to movies to Plan and is due by February 27, (several computers had copies that music. The staff has met with represent- 2015. I spoke with were obsolete). Hardware includes atives from all the involved parties and the THC project external hard drives for all computers everyone is very excited and expects reviewer regard- (the old ones had failed), a universal this to be a long-running arrangement. ing the process and power supply to protect the Hub com- The Carriage House is having we will be moving puter in case of power outage, ether- problems with rodents so we will be forward as quickly net cables to improve data speed, and upgrading our pest control to include as possible to com- the equipment needed to run cables rodents. This is will become very im- plete the package. We will be work- overhead. The final reimbursement has portant as the open fields around us ing with VOH Architects as the Historic been received from the ACVB for the become construction sites in early Preservation Professionals to help pre- shutter project. 2015. Animals currently living in these pare the general scope of work for the Conservation: The conservator areas will be displaced and we want application. This is a reimbursable continues to work on an additional 17 to be sure the FLM does not become matching grant so by the proposal books that either date from the 1840s their next home. deadline (Feb. 27th) we must have the or belonged to the Robertson family; Operations and Personnel: cash on hands to match whatever completion is ex- New museum aide, Lauren Walz has amount we request (estimated at pected in early started her training. The phone and $30,000). March. PastPer- internet systems are being worked on. The ACVB Historic Preservation fect v. 5 has been We are attempting to simplify the Grant for the work on the north eleva- purchased under number of lines we have while increas- tion of the Historic House and the ac- the NTLP grant ing internet speed and lowering costs. cessible ramp has been moved through and is being in- The 512-472-8180 number will not City Legal and to THC requesting their stalled. Once in change, nor will the e-mail addresses. approval of the project. We are now place an updated Volunteers: From July through waiting on the final vote from the City inventory will pro- December, Jerry Withers volunteered of Austin Historic Landmark Commission vide spot checks and add photographs 160 working on our computer up- before the check will be cut. The as necessary. A new cleaning schedule grades. Eight stu- ACVB Historic Preservation grant does and methods are being developed for dents from the Austin not cover usually architect’s fees for the historic house and kitchen following High School French the professional oversight required research into current best practices. Club provided 32 under the grant and by the THC. I will Any necessary equipment and supplies hours of help with the clarify this upon receipt of the grant will be purchased from the $1,200 Festival of Carols. paperwork. If the FLM needs to cover budgeted for Collections and Archives. Mary Braunagel- VOH Architect’s fee ($3500), there is Staff is looking at increasing Brown continued doing her usual Tues- $4,291 available in this year’s budget the our use of Twitter, Pinterest, and day tours and came in to do tours of for preservation. Instagram to expand our social media the Historic House during the Festival. The NTLP grant request was outreach. While Face- We will be looking for volunteers to approved by the BOM in their Novem- book is effective with a help with cleaning, inventory, and up- ber meeting. The $11,525 award will variety of de- dating PastPerfect (collection inventory cover the staircase replacement, voice/ mographics, recent studies show that software). data infrastructure, and sealing the younger audiences are moving to other Grants: The French Legation floor in the carriage house. The voice/ platforms. has been invited to submit a full appli- data infrastructure purchases have
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Report to DRT Library Collection Committee
Alamo Research Center Director, Leslie Stapleton December & January activity
Kamala and Tim Lewis. Academy in Odessa. The students On Wednesday, December were engaged and had excellent 12th we hosted eight 7th grade stu- questions. One student even inquired dents from St. Anthony’s School in about what level of education was Columbus, Texas. Each student was needed to work at the Alamo. We n Friday, November 5th we assigned an individual from the Texas may have been presenting to a future O hosted a book talk with Nick Revolution to study. After assisting staff member. Kotz, the author of The Harness Maker’s them in their research, we showed them The Alamo Research Center is Dream: Nathan Kallison and the Rise of primary source material we have relat- open every First Saturday, giving us South Texas. The title of his talk was ed to the Texas Revolution. the opportunity to display part of the “American Family Histories: Lost, For- The January 3rd First Saturday collection. Our upmost importance is gotten, Found.” The topic suited our exhibit’s theme was “Play Ball.” The protection of the collection, while al- mission quite well in that he argued majority of visitors were in town to at- lowing the public to enjoy the Collec- that family histories are an essential tend the bowl games so the case was tion and spread awareness of its avail- element for people to understand and filled with football related items. We ability. To do this we need volunteers appreciate American history. hosted 1,033 visitors during the day – and they don’t have to be DRT mem- At the December 6th First Sat- and the staff could not have accom- bers – husbands and neighbors have urday the Research Center had 638 plished this without the assistance of done great jobs! Bring a smile and visitors. Our exhibit theme was volunteers Deana Dack, and Connie enjoy meeting our visitors. If you “Everyday Lives: Family History in the and Gerry Impelman. would like to join us, please contact Big Picture,” which expanded on the On Thursday, January 8th Leslie Stapleton, ARC Director at 210- theme of the book talk the day before. Jaime and I conducted a Google 2256-1071. Our thanks to volunteer docents were Hangout with 40 seventh-grade stu- Florence Dodington, Deana Dack, and dents from UT Permian Basin’s STEM
The convention registration and sales table forms tours this year; instead we are planning seminars are posted on the website – only 2 sales tables and presentations similar to what was done at last may be reserved by any chapter or committee – no fall’s district meetings. Subjects being considered exceptions. The block of rooms at the convention are: “DRT 101-How a Chapter Functions”, Chapter hotel (Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade) is Treasurers, DRT Applications-Dos and Don’ts, Web- full; the rollover hotel is Hyatt Place San Antonio sites and Facebook-How can they Work for you? NW/Medical Center – www.sanantonionorthwest.place.hyatt.com or call More information and registration for these will be 888-492-8847. Group code is G-DROT. coming soon along with the convention schedule. There will be small fees for some to help cover the The 124th DRT Annual Convention is hosted by the costs of printing and/or jump drives loaded with chapters of District I, but the convention committee lots of information. members are from every district! There will be no