WHO WE ARE
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, promotes patriotism by presenting DAR Distinguished Citizen medals to veterans, organizing Vietnam Veterans appreciation events, and supporting local Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, preserves American history by marking the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers, hosting programs to highlight commemorative events and persons, and sponsoring DAR Historic Preservation Grants in the community.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, strives to educate children by participating in Read Across America programs, donating books to schools, and creating Constitution Week displays.
- September 2024 – Charles Googe – “TN Valley RR Museum”
- October 2024 – Cynthia Miller – “Hattie Caraway: First Woman Elected to US Senate”
- November 2024 – Chris Young – “Chief John Ross House”
- December 2024 – Lisa Geren – “Connecting People Who Care with Causes That Matter”
- February 2025 – Timothy D. Holder – “Our Presidents”
- March 2025 – Will Chavez – “Remember the Removal”
- April 2025 – Jason Hodges – “Kate Duncan Smith DAR School: The Gem of Gunter Mountain”
- May 2025 – Judy Passmore – “History of Dulcimer Music”
- June 2025 – Pat Horton – “Juneteenth”
- Betsy Bassette, Regent
- Carmen Thurman, First Vice Regent
- Leigh Ann Boyd, Second Vice Regent
- Ann McElrath, Chaplain
- Mary Charles Blair, Recording Secretary
- Patsy Holland, Corresponding Secretary
- Lori Boring, Treasurer
- Michelle MorganBlair, Registrar
- Judy Passmore, Historian
- Sarah Daves, Librarian
- Joanne Swafford, Parliamentarian (Appointed)
To fulfill our National Society’s mission, the members of Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, organize and participate in a variety of activities and events that promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
In the Cherokee language, Ocoee is “Uwaga-hi,” meaning apricot or maypop. The Ocoee River is in Polk County, Tennessee, where it crosses the Georgia state line and becomes the Toccoa River. The Ocoee River became known worldwide when it hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics slalom canoe/kayak competition.
Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on December 4, 1909, at the home of Cooksey Harris Hardwick in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. Mrs. Hardwick was the organizing and first regent. A charter was granted by the National Society on March 21, 1910.
Cleveland, Tennessee
The thirteen charter members are as follows: Cooksey Harris Hardwick, Harris Hardwick Knox, Louise Ramsdall Linn, Sue Wood Herndon, Emma H. Goodner, Wingfield Seymour, Lollie Belle Hardwick, Frances Elizabeth Sheddan, Anna Lou Hall Rodgers, Ellen Sandusky Lang, Isabelle Tucker Hardwick, Carrie B. Johnston, and Margaret Hardwick.
Mary Louise Harle is the only member to serve as TSDAR state regent (1962-1965) and honorary state regent. Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, held a grave marking ceremony in Fall 2018, to place the DAR Insignia on Miss Harle’s grave at Fort Hill Cemetery.
Past Ocoee Chapter, NSDAR, Regent
& Past TSDAR State Regent
