OUR HISTORY

The Ellis Meredith Chapter was organized in 1910 with seven members as the 13^th chapter in Colorado.   The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) had been given approval for the chapter to be named “Santa Fe Trail” but before the actual charter time, it was learned that Trinidad, Colorado was organizing a new DAR chapter. Since Trinidad was on the old trail, the name was relinquished to them.

Mrs. Gredene-Smith, the organizing regent of the Ellis Meredith Chapter, suggested the name “Peace Pipe Chapter” because of its historical significance in the development of the west. The term was also indicative of “a first meeting.”   In 1945, the chapter received a red stone pipe that was reported to have been used at a conference between government commissioners, Chiefs of the Sioux, and other tribes in 1867.  Robert R. Peale, son of Franklin Peale, who received the pipe in 1882, presented the pipe to the Peace Pipe Chapter. The chapter presented it to the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C., where it is was displayed in the Colorado Room until 2016.

In 2025, out of respect for its history, the peace pipe was returned to the Standing Rock Tribe, and the name of the chapter was changed once again to “Ellis Meredith Chapter” in honor of Ellis Meredith, a woman who was a major force in the movement to gain the right to vote for women in 1893.  Colorado was the first state to give women the right to vote (by popular vote) due to her efforts.  Wyoming had given women the right in 1869 by passing legislation.

As the 13th of Colorado’s 49 NSDAR chapters, we are a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting the National Society’s objectives of patriotism, education, historic preservation, and service to our community.  Throughout our chapter’s history we have established several traditions:

On May 3, 1917, Peace Pipe Chapter along with two other chapters, planted and dedicated the first Washington elm tree in Washington Park.  Unfortunately, this tree died of Dutch elm disease in 1983 and was replaced with an oak tree. 

Flag Day is celebrated each year on Genesee Mountain where a flagpole and a monument were erected by our chapter. The first ceremony was held June 14, 1911.  Each year two flags, flown over the U.S. Capitol, are given to the City and County of Denver through the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, who oversees the flying of the flag. The flag base was designed and patented in 1927 by member Miss Annette Newcomb and is still in use.

“Peace Pipe Chapter Flag Pageant” chartered to Peace Pipe Chapter, NSDAR, is fully documented and copyrighted. It was compiled by Mrs. Arthur D. Wall with art work by Patricia Roth.   The Flag Pageant was presented the first time at the state conference in Pueblo, Colorado, and then taken to Washington, D.C., and shown before the NSDAR Continental Congress in 1929. The pageant has been shown from coast to coast as well as overseas.

In 1941, the Peace Pipe Chapter began supporting the “I am an American Day” and we continue to support it although it is now known as “Citizenship Day.” The chapter attends ceremonies at the Naturalization Court of Denver and Arapahoe Counties to present flags and flag codes to new citizens.

With more than 125 years of tradition, over 1,000,000 members admitted since its founding, and a vast array of service work and countless activities in our communities, there is much to learn about the NSDAR, and we are excited to continue our celebrations as a strong chapter in the Denver area.

We welcome any woman, 18 years or older, who can prove her lineal descent from any individual who helped achieve American Independence (Patriot).  Interested women are encouraged to attend one of our meetings so they may learn more about us and all that we do.  We provide assistance to help potential members find their Patriot.