The first OSDAR chapter was established in Ada on October 12, 1926. It had 13 charter members with Mrs. Lottie Braly as its first Regent. This chapter ceased to function around 1936 due to the death of several members and the gradual scattering of other members. It was then on February 1, 1971 that the Chimney Hill Chapter was granted its charter with 27 members and Mrs. Melvin R. Race as our Regent.
The name Chimney Hill was suggested by Mrs. Lottie Braly. "Chimney Hill," back in 1849 was a natural outcropping in southern Pontotoc County, which resembled a chimney, but erosion and time has destroyed its appearance. The old California road crossed Pontotoc County, and pioneers knew "Chimney Hill." Without maps, or perhaps only crudely drawn maps, these outcroppings, or guide-points, were crucial to keeping explorers on the right path.
Chimney Hill Chapter has been involved in many local projects. It aided in a community-wide project to restore a one-room schoolhouse built in the early 1900's. It later became known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse", which was moved to Wintersmith Park. Members continue to serve as docents there, dressed in period costumes, conducting "classes" for local school children, as well as adults, allowing them to experience what it was like to attend school more than a hundred years ago.
The Chimney Hill Chapter reaches out to the local schools by sponsoring essay contests - DAR Good Citizen Award and the American History Award, which are also open to home schooled students.
An important time for Chimney Hill Chapter, NSDAR, is Constitution Week. Each year in September, the chapter contacts the Ada Mayor to sign a proclamation designating the week of September 17th as U.S. Constitution Week. This is covered by a photojournalist from the Ada Newspaper. Our Constitution Week committee chair also creates an attractive display at the local library and arranges for the local churches to ring their church bells at 3:00 p.m. on September 17th.
A chapter member developed a unique project for Constitution Week. She dresses up as Martha Washington, and presents a program highlighting Martha's life before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. She also demonstrates some household objects that were typical of the period and adapts her program for the age of her audience.
Chimney Hill Chapter, NSDAR, conducts programs expressing appreciation for our veterans. We increased our involvement with veterans within the area after learning that some veterans at the Sulphur Veteran Center did not have families to visit them. The chapter members decided to "adopt" two of these men and provide gifts and visits for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions. The Veterans Committee approached several local veteran organizations and each of these organizations {CIB(Combat Infantry Badge, Ada, Ok); American Legion (Stratford, Ok); VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stratford, Ok); Arbuckle Disabled American Veterans (Sulphur, Ok)] responded with enthusiasm and financial support. Because of their support, we have been able to "adopt" a total of eight veterans from all branches of service.
We also continue to be involved with Project Patriot, We offer support and send gifts such as phone cards and greeting cards to our men and women in the armed forces
The name Chimney Hill was suggested by Mrs. Lottie Braly. "Chimney Hill," back in 1849 was a natural outcropping in southern Pontotoc County, which resembled a chimney, but erosion and time has destroyed its appearance. The old California road crossed Pontotoc County, and pioneers knew "Chimney Hill." Without maps, or perhaps only crudely drawn maps, these outcroppings, or guide-points, were crucial to keeping explorers on the right path.
Chimney Hill Chapter has been involved in many local projects. It aided in a community-wide project to restore a one-room schoolhouse built in the early 1900's. It later became known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse", which was moved to Wintersmith Park. Members continue to serve as docents there, dressed in period costumes, conducting "classes" for local school children, as well as adults, allowing them to experience what it was like to attend school more than a hundred years ago.
The Chimney Hill Chapter reaches out to the local schools by sponsoring essay contests - DAR Good Citizen Award and the American History Award, which are also open to home schooled students.
An important time for Chimney Hill Chapter, NSDAR, is Constitution Week. Each year in September, the chapter contacts the Ada Mayor to sign a proclamation designating the week of September 17th as U.S. Constitution Week. This is covered by a photojournalist from the Ada Newspaper. Our Constitution Week committee chair also creates an attractive display at the local library and arranges for the local churches to ring their church bells at 3:00 p.m. on September 17th.
A chapter member developed a unique project for Constitution Week. She dresses up as Martha Washington, and presents a program highlighting Martha's life before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. She also demonstrates some household objects that were typical of the period and adapts her program for the age of her audience.
Chimney Hill Chapter, NSDAR, conducts programs expressing appreciation for our veterans. We increased our involvement with veterans within the area after learning that some veterans at the Sulphur Veteran Center did not have families to visit them. The chapter members decided to "adopt" two of these men and provide gifts and visits for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions. The Veterans Committee approached several local veteran organizations and each of these organizations {CIB(Combat Infantry Badge, Ada, Ok); American Legion (Stratford, Ok); VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stratford, Ok); Arbuckle Disabled American Veterans (Sulphur, Ok)] responded with enthusiasm and financial support. Because of their support, we have been able to "adopt" a total of eight veterans from all branches of service.
We also continue to be involved with Project Patriot, We offer support and send gifts such as phone cards and greeting cards to our men and women in the armed forces