Hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters. A Brief Chapter History
In 1965, Chief Solano Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, State Number 158, was in the planning stages. With Charlotte Holt leading the way, other members living in Leisure Town and Vacaville started the search for people eligible to join DAR. T
hrough articles in the local newspaper soon the 12 needed to form a chapter had been obtained. Today the annual membership renewal fee is $88 (fee includes national, state and chapter fees). On October 15th, all was set for the election of officers. Since Chief Solano, was born in the Suisun Bay in 1798, was a famous Native American leader of the Suisunes and was a friend and ally in military and political excursions with General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo of Sonoma, it seems the chapter name was well chosen. Chief Solano Chapter NSDAR went on through the years much the same as we do today. Historical, patriotic and education themes were included in all monthly meetings. It has been documented that on June 19, 1969, the chapter had a workday at the old part of the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery. There were apparently no records, so the ladies copied names and dates from the headstones. They were compiled alphabetically by names and by lot numbers. Copies of the records went National, the State of California, the local cemetery board, the library, and the Solano Historical Society. One year the chapter sold stationary to make money. Several years they gave luncheon card parties. The treasury did not boast of much money—the balance at the end of one year was seventy-two cents. By 1984 (Chief Solano Chapter’s 18th Birthday) membership was now 53. In 1986, the Vallejo Chapter, Mme Adriene de Lafayette, disbanded and 11 of their members elected to transfer their membership to Chief Solano Chapter. Over the years, Chief Solano Chapter grew so much that meetings were held at various locations such as rooms in savings and loans buildings, a church, Mare Island, the Commandant’s House in Benicia, the Officers Club at Travis Air Force Base to name a few. Our membership has risen to 114 and we currently meet in Fairfield or Vacaville once a month from September to May. Chief Solano Chapter continues to thrive and support projects for active-duty service men and women, veterans, education, and historical preservation. The Chapter receives many awards from the California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
