Our Chapter's History

Tomahawk Chapter was founded April 21, 1954, in Prairie Village, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb. Mrs. Paul Greenlease was Organizing Regent. The chapter is named for Tomahawk Creek, which runs through Prairie Village. Tomahawk Creek was once a boundary line for the lands granted by the U.S. Government to Chief Bluejacket, a Shawnee Indian chief.

For a little trivia about 1954, click here.

In 1959, Tomahawk Chapter combined with area Kansas chapters, James Ross, Mission Hills, Shawnee Mission, and Wyandot, to create the Regent's Round Table. This group grew to include Sagamore, Olathe, Prairie Rose, Quivira Crossing, and Three Trails West chapters. The Regent's Round Table coordinates efforts by these ten chapters in working with Naturalization Court, the Leavenworth VA Medical Center, and area schools in the American History Essay and DAR Good Citizen Contests.

HOW WE SERVE

Tomahawk Chapter members are committed volunteers, and show leadership in promoting DAR's objectives of "historic preservation, promotion of education, and patriotic endeavor."

For over 20 years, the chapter has distributed bookmarks imprinted with the Preamble to the Constitution. Our estimate is that in excess of 50,000 fifth-grade students have received the bookmarks.

The chapter has presented historical videos to all area middle schools, the high school media resource center, and to the Johnson County Library. Titles include, "Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown," "Independence-Philadelphia," "The Living White House," "Revolutionary War," "Story of a Patriot," and "Freedom Trail."

New American citizens are welcomed by the chapter when it co-hostesses receptions at the Robert Dole Courthouse. All area DAR chapters participate, on a rotating basis, and provide the court with copies of the DAR Manual for Citizenship for use by new Americans.

Each year, the chapter participates in events with veterans at the Dwight Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. In October, members host a Bingo Party, assist with Summerfest in June, and the National Salute Reception in February. In addition, two of our chapter members serve on the VAVS Board. Members also contribute comfort items and gifts of warm jackets to veterans.

Tomahawk Chapter has actively supported DAR's Project Patriot which provides support for the crew of 3,000 aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CV74), on active duty in the Middle East.

Our chapter regularly collects items for the Heart of America Indian Center, sends "labels for education" to Tamassee DAR School, and gives financial aid to all the DAR schools.

Our members have contributed many hours of research to help a prospective member join our chapter. We'd love to have you visit and explore the service opportunities DAR has to offer! Email us for details.