Meetings

Our chapter presents interesting programs on a variety of subjects. During the months of September through May, the chapter meets on the third Saturday at various locations in Albuquerque. The Bellringers’ Freedom Celebration is held on July 4. Our meetings are open to all interested ladies. You do not need to have completed an application before attending. We cordially invite you to contact us for further information.

Lew Wallace Chapter is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We have members throughout Greater Albuquerque including Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Moriarty, and the East Mountain Area as well as across the nation.

History

On February 22, 1905, Lew Wallace Chapter was organized with 14 members. Charter No. 671 was presented to Mrs. M. J. Borden, the first Chapter Regent, on October 20, 1905. Through the years, the Chapter has planted trees and donated flags, books, and funds to many worthy causes. During times of war, members were active with the USO, Red Cross, war bond sales, knitting, and sewing. We have placed historical markers and watched over New Mexico’s Madonna of the Trail monument.

Current Activities

The chapter, now in its second century of service,  continues with our work of promoting patriotism, education, and historic preservation. Every July 4, Lew Wallace Chapter hosts the Bellringers’ Freedom Celebration when we meet with SAR, C.A.R., and the other DAR chapters to celebrate Independence Day. Members participate in Naturalization ceremonies and present small flags to new citizens. ROTC medals are awarded to outstanding, graduating seniors at area high schools and the University of New Mexico. We sponsor the Zebulon Montgomery Pike Society of C.A.R. Lew Wallace Chapter joins with the National Society DAR in Project Patriot, which supports America's service personnel in current conflicts abroad.

We serve veterans by volunteering at the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Hospital and providing Christmas gifts to patients and food baskets to their families. Books are given to literacy programs. In February, awards are presented to winners of the American History Essay and DAR Good Citizen contests; and an Outstanding Teacher of American History is honored. Contributions are made to DAR Schools, Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home in Gallup, and the Harwell Indian Girl Scholarship Fund for deserving New Mexico Native American women. Genealogical research materials are donated to the Albuquerque Special Collections Library.

The Peace Rose

In the late 1930s, a young French rose breeder, Francis Meilland, developed a remarkable rose he had nurtured from a single seed. As the threat of war enveloped Europe, Meilland sent seedlings to growers in Italy, Germany, and the United States. An American consul smuggled the rose out of the country as German tanks invaded France. The budwood sent to the United States literally left on the last airplane leaving France.

Because of poor communications during the war, Meilland never knew if his rose survived, but it did. The rose was formally introduced to the world on April 29, 1945, the day that Berlin fell to Allied Forces. That special rose is now known as the Peace Rose.

One of the rosarians in the United States who tested the rose was Lem Tittle, the father of our member and Past Chapter Regent Eloise Tittle Jacobsen. Lew Wallace Chapter has adopted the Peace Rose as its official flower.

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