Cumberland Chapter, NSDAR, was organized February 1, 1893, in Nashville, Tennessee, and chartered on December 15, 1893. It was the second chapter organized in Tennessee and it was the 61st chapter in the National Society.

The chapter’s formation was due primarily to Mrs. Ida Horton East, who was selected Regent at the 1893 NSDAR meeting held in Washington, D.C., and charged with establishing a chapter in Nashville. The first documented meeting took place on April 28, 1893, at the home of Mrs. East at 303 North High Street (now 6th Avenue, North and Church streets).

The Cumberland Chapter, NSDAR, charter lists 14 original members: Ida Horton East, Mary Polk Winn, Fanny C. Bonner, Ida Hill, Mary B. K. Washington, Laura Lavender Baxter, Margaret Pilcher, Minnie B. Hill, Mary C. Dorris, Betty M. Donelson, Kate E. W. Moore, Jeanette Tillotson Acklen, Edwardine H. East, and Lucy Eastman.

Although the names “Watauga” and “Nashville” were considered as possible names for the chapter, “Cumberland” was considered the most appropriate. “Cumberland” honored the beautiful Cumberland Mountains, historic Cumberland Gap, and expansive Cumberland River, all of which were named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, when pioneer settlers first arrived in Middle Tennessee.

Cumberland Chapter, NSDAR, members have had the privilege to serve at both the state and national levels. Some of those distinguished Daughters include:

• Louise Spencer, TSDAR State Regent (1908-1910) and NSDAR Vice President General
• Margaret Price, TSDAR State Regent (1918-1919)
• Jeanette Acklen, TSDAR State Regent (1930-1932) and NSDAR Vice President General
• Graeme Smith, TSDAR State Regent (1936-1938)
• Irene Steranka, TSDAR Librarian (1989-1992)
• Emily Davis Robinson, TSDAR 2nd Vice Regent (2016-2019), 1st Vice Regent (2019-2022), and State Regent (2022-2025)