CHAPTER HISTORY

    The Spirit of '76 chapter is the oldest and largest Louisiana chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The very first meeting of the Spirit of '76 chapter was held at the old Howard Library at Lee Circle in New Orleans on April 1, 1895.  The chapter was officially organized on May 2, 1895 and was granted it's charter on June 11th of that same year.  The Spirit of '76 chapter formed just five years after the National Society was granted it's charter by Congress.  When chartered, the chapter had only 18 members lead by Regent Mrs. J.M. Ferguson.  The chapter has boasted more than 300 members, a number that they are quickly approaching again after loosing many members to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

HURRICANE KATRINA DISRUPTS OUR CHAPTER
    Since the beginning of our Chapter, New Orleans has been prone to disruptions caused by Hurricanes, however, none were ever so devastating as Hurricane Katrina which came on shore in the early morning hours of August 29, 2005.  Hurricane Katrina struck the New Orleans area bringing an unprecedented wind field and storm surge with her.  The unexpected collapse of several levees surrounding the City caused the flooding of approximately 80% of the homes in New Orleans.  

    Most members of the Spirit of 76 Chapter experienced the flooding first hand and those that did not, had homes damaged by the storms ferocious winds or turned their homes into safe havens for family and friends who had lost their homes and belongings.

     For four months, the chapter was unable to hold meetings.  On January 6, 2006, when the ladies held their first meeting following the storm, it was a bitter sweet event.  Members reconnected, telling tales of hasty evacuations, rescues and frustrations over the job of putting their lives back together.  

    The Spirit of '76 chapter lost several of its elderly members following the storm.  Some claim the stress associated with the recovery process claimed many victims among the elderly and infirmed of New Orleans in the months following the storm. 

 LOST RECORDS
    One of the tragedies suffered by the Spirit of '76 chapter during Hurricane Katrina was the loss of many historical and all the genealogical records for our chapter.  Over 100 years of records were lost when the home of our Registrar which was elevated three feet off the ground was inundated with seven feet of flood waters, while rain water poured down through her damaged roof.  The chapter sincerely thanks the National Society of the DAR (NSDAR) and the Louisiana Society of the DAR (LSDAR) for their support as we put these records back together. 

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW
    The first project the Spirit of 76 Chapter worked on following the 2005 Storms was the replacement of American Flags in New Orleans schools. 
    The Chapter continues its service through it's many chapter projects.  Members attend Naturalization ceremonies where hundreds of new citizens are presented with an American flag  and a welcome packet.  The Chapter has also provided lap blankets and toiletries to War Veterans, and has sent greeting cards and socks to Landsthal Medical Center in Germany.  As part of “Operation Homefront Support”, our Chapter sent School supplies for children in Afghanistan.  We also sent comfort items to our Louisiana unit of soldiers in Iraq through the “Any Soldier” program.
    In addition, the Spirit of 76 Chapter continues to financially support local causes such as “Save Our Lake” as well as the Seimes Computer Center in Washington D.C. 
    Spirit of 76 Members remain active in the promotion of Patriotism and have participated in Flag Day celebrations as well as 4^th of July and Veterans Day parades.
    Spirit of 76 Chapter also conducts American History Essay Contests for local students,  genealogy workshops, and the Chapter has proved that DAR is quickly moving into the digital world through innovative use of the computer to further the objectives of the National Society.