Chapter History and Activities

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was six years old when the Eunice Sterling Chapter of Wichita, the third in Kansas, was organized October 21, 1896, with National Charter No. 284. This chapter was named in honor of the wife of Captain Abijah Sterling of New York and Connecticut, ancestor of Organizing Regent Mrs. Katherine Sterling Lewis. With fourteen charter members, this chapter, during the years, has had a total of 1,477 members. Five members of the chapter have held national offices; six members of the chapter have filled the high position of State Regent. Numerous others have held other state offices, and many have served on state and national committees.

Eunice Sterling Chapter endeavors to participate in the National DAR projects, and throughout the year the main objectives of the Society – Historic Preservation, Patriotism, Education – are stressed. During the years the chapter has

• Contributed many books to the Wichita Public Library concerning genealogy, adding more through the bequests of Mrs. Felicia Hackney and Hazel Howes

• Purchased the first house in Wichita, "The Munger House," and presented it, along with the lease of 23 acres of land, to Historic Wichita, Inc.

• Placed one of the 96 markers on the Santa Fe Trail at Lost Springs (Marion County)

• Placed a bronze tablet of Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address in a Wichita High School

• Erected and dedicated a monument at 61st Street North and Seneca to commemorate the Treaty of The Little Arkansas between the United States Government and the Plains Indians

• Organized several C.A.R. societies

• Given flagpoles to Wichita High School North; Wichita State University; and Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, with appropriate markers.

• And the chapter has presented U.S. flags to the Little Church in Cowtown, the Wichita Art Museum, the Wichita Art Association, the Institute of Logopedics, and to numerous Scout troops.

More recently, through a bequest from member Margaret Humphrey, the chapter purchased 29 reels of Kansas State Census records and 200 reels of U.S. Census records to finish out the holdings at Wichita Public Library. The chapter continues to purchase books of a genealogical nature in memory of deceased members.

Eunice Sterling initiated and continued, for over 30 years, the practice of supplying the DAR Manual for Citizenship to the Federal Court for use of those seeking citizenship and of welcoming new citizens in the Naturalization Courts by presenting each new citizen with the Flag of the USA.

The National Society owns three adjoining and connecting structures in one of the most beautiful sections of Washington, DC: Memorial Continental Hall; Constitution Hall; and the Administration Building. This is the largest group of buildings in the world built, owned, and maintained exclusively by women.

The Eunice Sterling Daughters share in the ownership and privileges of this magnificent edifice, and have, since its inception, provided funds for construction, furnishing, and maintenance. Special chapter contributions have included funds to assist in providing the Kansas Society a private box and chairs; a sculpture; library chairs, skylight windows, the sunflower windows in the Kansas Society DAR Chapel , and various other projects.

The members of Eunice Sterling Chapter are proud of its history and the part it has played in the development and growth of its community, as well as the Kansas and National Societies.

The Eunice Sterling Daughters celebrated the chapter centennial year by dedicating their second century to "God, Home, and Country," as they continue the tradition of high ideals and service envisioned by Mrs. Katherine Sterling Lewis; the fourteen charter members; and the 1,477 Eunice Sterling Chapter members during the past 112 years.