Local DAR hosts district conference

The Washburn Chapter of the DAR hosted a district conference for 15 west central Indiana chapters recently at the DePauw Ballroom. State Regent Cynthia Stout (center) gave a recap of the DAR Continental Congress this summer. District Director Julie Newman (left) and Local Regent Jinsie Bingham (right) also made presentations during the event.

DePauw's Union building was the site of the district conference of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) Thursday. Members from 15 chapters across west central Indiana converged on the school's campus for a day long meeting.

Local Regent Jinsie Bingham told the BannerGraphic that the state's executive committee invites each district to set up their yearly programs at the meeting. The D.A.R. supports various scholarship and educational programs in several schools.

Members of the state executive committee attending the local meeting were District Director Julie Newhouse, State Regent Cynthia Stout, Frankfort, and State Treasurer Sharon Baldwin, Cloverdale.

The local DAR Chapter is named for Dana Washburn whose family lived in Greencastle. He also lived here prior to being named Surveyor General of the United States and heading west to the yet unknown Yellowstone River Territory.

Bingham tells an interesting story about Washburn, who had ambitions following the civil war to be a congressman. He was thwarted in this by the incumbent congressman (a former DePauw student) who did not want to run against Washburn and arranged to have him appointed as the U.S. Surveyor.

Ironically, Washburn is credited with a number of discoveries in Yellowstone including finding Old Faithful Geyser.

According to Bingham, "Several of his relatives were founders of the local D.A.R. group along with Astronaut Joe Allen's great-great-great-grandmother, who was another founding member of the chapter."

The DAR is a nonprofit organization for the descendants of individuals who aided in achieving American independence. The group is involved in raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards, preserving historical properties and artifacts and promoting patriotism in their communities.

The Washburn chapter in Putnam County is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the log cabins in Robe-Ann Park which are open on Sunday afternoons from Memorial Day to Labor Day and by appointment. The cabins are a living museum of life in Putnam County in the mid 1800's. All items in the buildings are from the 1840's or earlier.

Despite the fact that there is no plumbing or electricity, the cabins are often the setting for the Spinners and Weavers club and a common site for weddings.

Members of the hostess committee for the meeting Thursday are June Brattain, Marilyn Clearwaters, Linda Ruark and Sue Ryland

Information about the Washburn Chapter of the D.A.R. is available by calling Local Regent Jinsie Bingham at 653-3565.