The Edenton Tea Party chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently welcomed Patricia White of the Warren Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Susan Birckhead, local artist and author who captured the beauty of Warren Grove in her book “Across the Field” at their monthly chapter meeting March 12.
White and Birkhead presented the history of the church and the history of the Rosenwald Schools, the first of which was established on the grounds of the Warren Grove Church. Photos of the church, the school and the individuals involved in the establishment of the Rosenwald school were shared with the Chapter.
Patricia White of the Warren Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Susan Birckhead, photographer, local artist.
Booker T. Washington shared Julius Rosenwald’s vision about the transformative power of education. Together they created the Rosenwald School Fund, which had its beginnings on the campus of Tuskegee Institute in the 1910s, Chicago philanthropist Rosenwald, president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., became aware of the sad state of education among African Americans in the rural South.
Along with Washington, his response was the establishment of a fund that provided architectural plans and matching grants that helped build more than 5,300 schools from Maryland to Texas between the late 1910s and 1932. North Carolina had more than 800 projects, more than any other state.
After the program, refreshments were served. The business meeting included welcoming new member, Catherine Butler. Butler, a native of Virginia, and her husband retired to Edenton. Previously, Butler served as the city planner for the city of Williamsburg. A memorial service was conducted by Chaplain Clara King and Beth Taylor for Barbara Wood and Pat Bivens, Maureen Katzer assisted with the service.
Catherine Butler holds up her right hand, takes the oath of membership into the Edenton Tea Party, NSDAR.
The Chapter also collected donations for the DAR schools, and this effort, chaired by Cynthia Herlong, was very successful.
Chapter Regent, Bonnie Henn, recognized the members of the American History Awards Committee, Linda Davenport, Susan Hudson and Leatha Fischer.
After the meeting, Chapter Regent Henn took a moment to welcome the new Librarian, Brandy Goodwin and presented her with a copy of “The Very Quiet Cricket” for the children’s library. This book is being donated by North Carolina chapters to local libraries in honor of Cricket Crigler, State Regent of North Carolina.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, contact Bonnie Henn, Chapter Regent, at bonnie.henn.dar@gmail.com