History

The Maryland State Society (MSSDAR) is the direct outgrowth of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) which began July 13, 1890, when a group of ladies in Washington, District of Columbia held their pre-organization meeting. Mrs. Caroline Scott Harrison, wife of the twenty-third President of the United States, was elected its first President General. 

Mrs. A. Leo Knott, a Marylander whose husband was Assistant Postmaster General under President Harrison, was asked to undertake the formation of the Maryland State Society. With the help of Miss Alice Key Blunt, Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, was established on March 4, 1892, with eighteen members. The Charter was on issued May 25, 1892, and an act of incorporation was obtained under the laws of the State of Maryland on May 26, 1892 by ten of the ladies. The first meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. A. Leo Knott, where Miss Alice Key Blunt was chosen chapter regent.

National Chapter Number 18 was named for the city in which it was founded – Baltimore; which in turn, was named for Maryland’s founder, George Calvert, Lord Baltimore. Calvert was a trusted friend of King James I and a member of the Privy Council. He was sent to Ireland by the King where he was elevated to the Irish Peerage with the title of Baron of Baltimore. Thus, the name Baltimore comes from a town in County Longford, Ireland.

Over the years, Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, has been most generous in contributions and gifts including a valuable clock for the assembly room of Memorial Continental Hall; a bell made from surplus metal used in casting the Columbia Liberty Bell, as a memorial to Mrs. Benjamin Harrison; and a bronze tablet on the wall of the old Senate Chamber in Annapolis in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman.

On May 20, 1909, Commandant and Mrs. Hubbard invited Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, to hold a meeting at Fort McHenry. It was at this meeting that it was decided to work for the preservation of Fort McHenry and to plan for the great centennial celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner. As a sequel to this meeting, the regent had letters from President Taft and ex-President Roosevelt endorsing plans formulated by Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, for a national celebration in 1914. In addition, Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, presented a tablet in memory of Francis Scott Key on the wall of Mount Vernon Church marking the site where he died.

During World War I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, chapter members bought and sold thrift stamps, war bonds and ration stamps to help the Country.

On February 12, 1953, the Chapter House at 4701 Roland Avenue was bought by the Maryland State Society. With this purchase, the dream of a Chapter House became a reality.  Nearly fifteen years later on September 26, 1967, Baltimore Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated its Seventy-fifth Diamond Jubilee at the Chapter House. 

Today, the members of the chapter continue their predecessors’ legacy by supporting the Baltimore community through various projects, celebrating milestones in American history, and honoring active and non-active service men and women through activities. Visit our homepage for a current list of opportunities to participate.