Daughters of the American Revolution. Anthony Wayne Chapter, Mankato, Minnesota. Collection, 1896 - ongoing

The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in 1890 in Washington D.C. and incorporated by an Act of Congress on June 8, 1891. The object of the National Society and local chapters is “to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence.” Eligibility is limited to women descended from someone who served in the cause of American Independence in the original thirteen colonies, and who are personally acceptable to the Society. The Daughters of the American Revolution was organized because the Sons of the American Revolution refused to accept women as members.

The Anthony Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in Mankato, Minnesota was organized on June 20, 1899 with the same goals and requirements as the national society. The chapter is named after General Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania, who was the hero of the Battle of Stony Point, NY in 1779. Although the founding members did not know it at the time, this name proved to be especially fitting for the Mankato area. The “Anthony Wayne” was also the name of a steamboat that regularly traveled the Minnesota River in the 1800s. The organization had 13 charter members in 1899, and enrollment grew to 80 by 2018.

The organization remains active in the greater Mankato area. It has worked to preserve and commemorate historical sites, such as that of Fort L’Huillier, south of Mankato. The group also presents a gold medal annually to an outstanding cadet in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. It honors outstanding local teachers of American history as well as winners of an annual American history essay contest.