Charter Members

“The first continental congress was held February 22, 1892, and Mrs. Harrison presided and made a speech of welcome. She was re-elected president-general and the first reception of the Daughters was given at the White House. Our members were so few at this time that we seemed like one great family. I had received the national number of 1064. The first eight hundred were declared charter members. The state regency of Oregon was soon thereafter bestowed upon me at the second congress. D.A.R. was about to convene and it was considered that each state should be represented, and I was the only one available.”

Mary Phelps Montgomery, Organizing Regent

Three years later on February 21, 1896, a group of 17 women met under the guidance of Mary Phelps Montgomery in order to form the first Oregon Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This chapter was named “Multnomah” to honor the great Indian Chief Multnomah, who lived on an island in the Columbia River, now known as Sauvie Island. Multnomah Chapter, NSDAR remained the only chapter in Oregon until 1911, at which time soon after other chapters formed. The Oregon State Society was formally organized in 1914.