Chief Senachwine chapter learns about DAR restoration project

HENRY — Members of the Chief Senachwine Chapter NSDAR enjoyed a presentation on the restoration of the Susan Lawrence Dana Cottage, given by Illinois State Historian Marria Blinn, at the chapter’s March 5 Zoom meeting.

The cottage, located on the grounds of the Susan Lawrence Dana House, and the Dana House are both labeled state historic sites. The Dana House, remodeled by nationally-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is a major attraction frequently visited by tourists in Springfield.

The importance of the Dana Cottage is primarily due to the leadership of Ms. Dana as a suffragist in the women’s drive for the approval of the 19th Amendment that granted full voting rights for women in 1920.

The Illinois State DAR Organization, under the leadership of State Regent Sharla Luken, has joined the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in restoring the cottage. The eventual plan for the restored cottage is that it will become a library of resource material for the Illinois Suffrage Movement and of architectural information on Frank Lloyd Wright.

Approximately $10,000 will be donated to the restoration project, resulting from fundraising efforts by Illinois DAR members.

Following the program presented by Blinn, members heard an American Indians report by Chairman Lura Hamilton on the American Indians village in Tiskilwa, reported to have 300 wigwams and a population of 1,500 natives prior to white settlement. Another report covered the 125th anniversary year of the National Society’s Library at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The library contains about 200,000 volumes related to early American history and genealogy plus 5 million digital images.

Chapter officers for 2021-23 were elected as follow: Sharon Bittner, regent; Carol Byrd, vice regent; Diana Williamson, chaplain; Nancy Gillfillan, recording secretary; Dolores Dace, corresponding secretary; Adelaide Flanagan, treasurer; Nina Herridge, registrar; and Diane Zimmerman, historian/librarian.

The Chief Senachwine Chapter will next meet at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 2, via Zoom. The program presenter will be State Regent Sharla Luken. Luken will discuss another state project, honoring all Illinois veterans, in a speech titled “Serving Those Who Have Served Us.”