By Jeannine Harrold, Paul Revere Chapter—
MUNCIE, Ind.—The Paul Revere Chapter was one of the first Daughters of the American Revolution Chapters to be organized in Indiana when it was chartered in 1897. Its early history parallels Muncie’s and many of Muncie’s founding mothers and sisters were DAR members. Currently there are 50 members, and most meetings are held at the Carnegie Local History and Genealogy Library, home to the group’s original Charter and many of their historical records.
To commemorate National Women’s History Month, the Paul Revere Chapter selected local outstanding historians and organizations that have collaborated with them to help them learn about their past and to support their programs and services related to patriotism, education, and historic preservation. At their March 10, 2022, meeting, they presented these special DAR Chapter History Awards.
Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Committee Organizers
Karen Vincent, Retired Director of Collections, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens; Delaware County Historical Society Board President
Karen Good, Delaware County Historical Society Genealogist and Board Member
Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library Manager
Melissa Gentry, Ball State University Libraries Map Collections Supervisor
Chris Flook, Ball State University Associate Lecturer of Telecommunications; and Delaware County Historical Society Past President
The group’s mission to document and tell the stories of the lives of hundreds of notable women in the community began 4 years ago and continues to expand. These historians meticulously research and prepare programs, presentations, and publications that are preserved in local archival collections for the interest of future researchers, genealogists, and followers of local history.
Paul Revere Chapter History Awards Recipients L-R: Richard Harris, Jessica Jenkins, Karen Vincent, Karen Good, Melissa Gentry, and Sara McKinley. Photo provided.
Native American History Researcher and Author
Chris Flook, Ball State University Associate Lecturer of Telecommunications; Delaware County Historical Society Board Member and Past President
Chris’ personal mission to provide an accurate history of Native American settlers of the region is exhibited in his production of “Lenape Along the White River,” in the publication of his book, “Native Americans of East Central Indiana,” in his presentation of the life of “Beata,” a post-Revolutionary War Lenape woman who passed through this area, and in his numerous articles and collaborations.
American History Scholar and Presidential Historian
Richard Harris, Ball State University Director of Disabled Student Services Emeritus; American History Lecturer
Nationally known as a Franklin D. Roosevelt scholar, Richard’s portfolio of research and presentations also reaches deeply into the lives of others who have served and led our country since the American Revolution. Through his recent focus on Frances Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and the first woman to serve in a Cabinet Position, he has produced presentations and programs about the woman who is credited with influencing much of the legislation that was designed to benefit women, children, and families.
Local, Regional, and National Women’s Suffrage Historian
Jessica Jenkins, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens Vice President of Collections and Story Telling
Jessica is part of a national network of experts on the women’s suffrage movement and a local expert on Ball Family Women, most of whom were active in local suffrage efforts. Leading up to 2020 and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote in national elections, she wrote and published the book, “Exploring Women’s Suffrage through 50 Historic Treasures.”
Elaine Sholty, Indiana DAR Vice Regent from Indianapolis, was the featured program presenter at the meeting. She portrayed Grace Julian Clarke (1865-1938) who led the revival of the suffrage movement in Indiana leading up to the Amendment’s ratification in 1920. A Butler University graduate and journalist, Clarke was one of the founders of the Women’s Franchise League of Indiana, predecessor to the League of Women Voters of Indiana. Ms. Sholty also portrays other significant women in American history, including Caroline Scott Harrison at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis.
