History

The following is a shortened version of a history of the Rachel Caldwell Chapter that was written by Jane Thomas in 2009 for the seventy-fifth anniversary booklet.

A Peek at the Past

The Rachel Caldwell Chapter was formed back in ‘34
by twenty-nine ladies who were patriotic to the core.
They sent boxes to Ellis Island and clothes to Crossnore, too;
set up homemaker clubs and chose movies to review.

They dedicated a marker to Rachel Caldwell on Friendly Road;
then sponsored a bridge day to ease the finance load.
The McNairy House was saved and Yorktown got its due;
donations to historical preservation numbered quite a few.

The Revolutionary Oak, under which colonial soldiers lay,
was given a plaque to commemorate their stay.
The Bugler Gilles C.A.R. was about to organize
and was a huge success, which came as no surprise.

Programs, flags, and great attention was given to every school;
students entered contests and deemed them “pretty cool.”
J.A.C. Clubs were fun and promoted citizenship as well;
enthusiastic grade school children were their clientele.

When the country went to war, Daughters stepped up to the plate;
their valiant efforts on the home front were nothing less than great.
Daughters gave blood, entertained the troops,
and spent many volunteer hours with other invested groups.

They sent clothes to “Bundles for Britain” and drilled for civil defense;
planted victory gardens and rationed - sacrifices were immense.
Husbands, sons, and fathers were honored - 36 all told,
with blue stars on the service flag and three that turned to gold.

A battlefield drum from the revolution was for sale;
with the help of Guilford Battle, we managed to prevail.
It was authenticated and is still considered very rare;
gave it to the national park with great pomp and fanfare.

Two beloved members took philanthropy to the nth degree,
and saved New Bern’s Tryon Palace for future generations to see.
Honorary PG Gertrude Carraway knew just what to do –
she got North Carolina’s state government to hop on board, too.

Mother and daughter spent millions on the restoration,
and oversaw the gardens and interior decoration.
The house and gardens were finally ready for inspection.
It was enthusiastically acclaimed as “absolute perfection.”

Open to the public at last – a road trip was in order.
Chapter members went as tourists and supporter.
Our gift, a silver ink well, was found in the library;
there it sat – all shiny, light, and airy.

Once the three chapters went on a shopping spree.
We contacted realtors and were confident as could be.
There was bound to be a building just waiting for us to buy,
but it was just pipe-dreaming – prices were too high.

Crossnore School remained dear to our heart;
Rachel Caldwell supported it from the start.
Visits by the children were anticipated and adored
and we continued to send clothes, and sat on their board.

If you had a melodious voice – pitched sort of low;
you were the perfect choice for the radio.
Many dutiful Daughters took to the microphone
and expertly drove the DAR message home.

When television was invented and became the newest thing,
members bought TV sets and gave appearances a fling.
They made the rounds on the early morning shows;
comporting themselves just like seasoned pros.

Public relations was the committee for you,
if writing articles was something you liked to do.
Bio sketches in “Soldiers and Patriots” made its debut,
and nine more volumes did accrue.

Hospitality committees who love to decorate,
had artistic talents that were hard to emulate.
It was truly amazing what they managed to do
with flowers, scissors, place cards, and a pot of glue.

Hostesses for meetings would put out the welcome mat;
take the ladies’ coats and comment on their hats.
They would set the table with fine china and silver trays.
We were a tad more formal in those olden days.

Daughters sold flag pins on Flag Day in June,
and gave Friendly Shopping Center a flag and pole one Sunday afternoon.
The chapter is big on flags, no one can deny;
we’ll give you one and tell you when to fly.

Restoring historic Blandwood, which is well known
as Governor John Motley Morehead’s home,
was a project we gave our money and attention,
and were well represented on their commission.

The Constitution Week Committee pours heart and soul
into winning that coveted “Carraway Bowl.”
Rachel Caldwell was happy to raise money from NC daughters and initiate
the creation of this treasured award for Miss Carraway and the state.

NC’s original copy of the Bill of Rights came to town.
Everyone signed up to help when word got around.
Hostesses at the library showed visitors to their seats,
while museum hostesses did the “Meet and Greet.”

Some committees are added and others bite the dust.
It used to be that songs and music were a must.
Members won awards for musical and vocal renditions;
“Oh Penelope” and “Daughters” were outstanding compositions.

Greensboro’s Bicentennial kicked off with a torch-carrying race.
Our member looked the part and kept a steady pace.
We worked with the other chapter on many an occasion;
getting Battleground Avenue re-routed took all of our persuasion.

Rachel Caldwell has encouraged many to naturalize –
becoming an American citizen being the final prize.
Receptions were arranged and manuals handed out;
celebrations and recognition was what it was about.

Veterans have been provided with coins for the canteen,
and toiletries with soaps to help keep them clean.
Ladies made lap robes and sent magazines and books -
rewards being ready smiles and many grateful looks.

Over the decades, we welcomed many a guest to speak;
they always managed our interest to peak.
The chapter gave a small gift we hoped they would enjoy;
the most unusual was a bolt of corduroy.

Organization was something we did extremely well;
whether it was a tea or museum display in Braille.
Fall Forums, 22-voice choir – we’ve done it all,
and in the process our daughters have had a ball.

Rachel Caldwell has gone hi-tech;
We no longer just “hunt and peck.”
Emails, webpage, tweeting and texting – we’re all set.
We’ve even had a video on the internet.

It’s been fun taking a peek at the past,
Re-living and remembering – the years go so fast.
It’s time now to look to the future of Rachel Caldwell, DAR;
with hard work and dedication, we will continue to go far.