Kent Masterson Brown is a nationally-recognized, dynamic, energetic, passionate speaker on American History. His presentations are clear and compelling. Born in Lexington, Kentucky on February 5, 1949, Kent is a 1971 graduate – and in 2014 named a distinguished graduate—of Centre College,. He received his juris doctor degree in 1974 from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He practiced constitutional and administrative law for forty-seven years in Lexington, Kentucky, and for twenty-six years, as counsel to Webster, Chamberlain & Bean in Washington, DC.

Richard Crowe, a retired economics professor from Hazard Community and Technical College, will present William Lawson, Revolutionary Scotsman. Professor Crowe’s ancestor, William Lawson, was a Scotsman who fought the British and lost. Sent to the American colonies as an indentured servant, he eventually escaped and became a land-owning farmer. He came back into military service to aid the Revolutionaries at the Battle of Kings Mountain, along with his son, also named William. Both men are patriots in the Daughters of the American Revolution and William, Sr.’s grave has been marked by The Carter’s Fort Chapter, NSDAR.

Martina Ockerman, widow of Lexington lawyer and historian Foster Ockerman Jr., will discuss Foster’s last book. In addition, Peter Brackney will also be presenting. Peter is an attorney, local historian, preservationist and author who adopted Kentucky as his home at an early age. The meeting will be held at Spindletop Hall, 2414 Ironworks Pike, Lexington KY.

The Lexington Chapter, NSDAR is proud to present: Madame Mentelle. Educating Young Women 1770-1860. Madame Mentelle will be portrayed by Dr. Simonetta Cochis. Our meeting will be from 2 - 4 p.m. at beautiful Spindletop Hall, 3414 Ironworks Pike, Lexington, K 40511.

Fleeing the brutality of the French Revolution, Charlotte Victorie LeClerc Mentelle arrived in America in 1794. After a rough beginning in Gallipolis, Ohio, Charlotte, and her husband eventually made their way to Lexington where they opened Mentelle’s School for Young Ladies. Madame Mentelle taught social etiquette, literature, dancing, and French. She also worked to build character, instill discipline, and foster a strong work ethic in her students. Among Mentelle’s School for Young Ladies’ star students was Mary Ann Todd, who would go on to become Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States. Despite often being labeled as an eccentric by people in Lexington, Mentelle believed in equality and supported education for women.

It’s Lexington Local History Day for this chapter meeting. Our chapter will host Dale Henley, who will be discussing plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de LaFayette's visit to Lexington promoted through the American Friends of LaFayette. Mr. Henley is a Lexington Attorney, Past President of the Lafayette Chapter, SAR and an admirer of Lafayette.

Lexington Chapter Regent Judy Owens will step into her role as State Historian and make a presentation about grave marking ceremonies. Ann Hamlin, Historic Preservation Chair, will discuss the chapter’s work at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In the event of bad weather, this meeting will be on Zoom. Otherwise, the meeting will be held in the Large Meeting Room of Tates Creek Public Library, 3628 Walden Drive, Lexington, KY.

Sharon M. Withers is the highest-ranking living Kentucky DAR member, having served during the Lynne Forney Young administration as Registrar General. Sharon has served in a multitude of national, state and chapter officers. This Zoom will teach our members about how to be a good leader in the DAR. Sharon’s presentations are humorous, kind and very informative.

State Regent Linda Conrad will be our honored guest and keynote speaker at the Christmas chapter meeting.

Spindletop Farm was established in 1935 on 800 acres of land. At a cost of one million dollars, the construction of Spindletop Hall began in 1935 and took two years to complete. The home was built by Mildred “Patsy” Yount after she was widowed by her husband, wealthy oilman and American Saddlebred Breeder Miles Frank Yount. Patsy lived at Spindletop until the mid-1950s when she sold it to the University of Kentucky. Since 1962 Spindletop has served as a private club for University of Kentucky faculty, staff, and alums. We’ll enjoy an elegant lunch in Spindletop’s library, followed by remarks and photo ops with our wonderful state leader!

Past Regent Clara Wilson will host the chapter’s annual Salute to Veterans banquet at the Lexington Country Club. Retired Lt. Dorothy A. Moore will be our guest speaker. Lt. Moore enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1986. Throughout her twenty-nine years of service, she held numerous administrative and operational assignments. She served as an operations officer in Iraq, a ship and submarine inspector, and with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight Four. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering from Columbia Southern University and a Master of Public Health from Tulane University. Lt. Moore retired in June 2015 after 41 years of federal civil service. She has two adult children and twin grandsons. The dinner will be held at the Lexington Country Club, 2550 Paris Pike, Lexington KY

Terry Foody, RN, MSN is a graduate of Niagara University, NY and the University of Kentucky. Her background in public health nursing and adventurous nature fueled her extensive research into Lexington, Kentucky's 1833 cholera epidemic.

Foody speaks about cholera for the Kentucky Humanities Council and other groups.

Please bring your own brown bag lunch.

Learn about all the latest innovations at the Kentucky Society, DAR headquarters when Nate Baker joins us for a luncheon at Duncan Tavern. Nate is the site coordinator at the Tavern. Nate is a graduate of Morehead State University with a major in history and geography and lives in Paris with his wife Jessica.

William Wells Brown was the first published African American novelist and playwright. Brown was born to an enslaved mother. Due to inadequate record keeping for slaves, the time and place is not assured. He was likely born in 1814 or 1815 in the Mt. Sterling area or in Lexington. Brown experienced the dissolution and sale of his own family and witnessed the harsh and brutal separation of other families in the institution of slavery. After years of failed attempts to escape slavery, for which he was jailed and beaten, Brown finally escaped to a life of freedom in 1834.

William Wells Brown went on to become a public advocate of the abolitionist and temperance movements. His memoir, Narrative of William Wells Brown, a Fugitive Slave, Written by Himself, had a direct influence on the abolitionist movement. In 1853, he published Clotel; or the President's Daughter and in 1858, a play The Escape; or a Leap for Freedom.

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the DAR has launched the "Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.” This contest focuses on the men and women who figured in the events of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783), and it is hoped that students will find Patriots to write about who will interest and inspire them.

Our education chair, Pat Arnold, collaborated with member Mary Bradshaw to encourage students to write an essay. In all, twelve students participated: eleven are Mary’s students from the Lexington Latin School and another student is homeschooled.

Students were allowed to write about a patriot of their choosing: Patriots may be one of our famous Founders, or an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways both large and small. Students were asked to discuss how their chosen Patriot contributed to the founding of the nation. Essays were judged for historical accuracy, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the quality and scope of references, particularly the use of primary sources.

This contest is open to students in public, private, and parochial schools, and registered home-study programs, in grades 9 through 12. Essays from students from all grades will be judged together, with one winning essay chosen at each level. Participating DAR Chapters will select one essay as the chapter winner, to be sent on to the State level; the State will select one essay winner to represent the state for judging at the Division level, and each Division level will also have one winner which will be sent on to the National contest.

We will honor all twelve students who participated in the essay contest. The winner will receive a certificate and a pin, and a check for $100 from the chapter. All participating students will receive a certificate.

Chapter Librarian Robin Fisher will arrange a tour of the beautiful downtown Lexington Fayette County Public Library. Library staff will guide us through all the research tools available. We’ll gather for lunch at a nearby restaurant after our discussion and tour.

Spindletop Farm was established in 1935 on 800 acres of land. At a cost of one million dollars, the construction of Spindletop Hall began in 1935 and took two years to complete. The home was built by Mildred “Patsy” Yount after she was widowed by her husband, wealthy oilman and American Saddlebred Breeder Miles Frank Yount. Patsy lived at Spindletop until the mid-1950s when she sold it to the University of Kentucky. Since 1962 Spindletop has served as a private club for University of Kentucky faculty, staff and alums. We’ll enjoy an elegant lunch in Spindletop’s library.

Linda Cunningham, U.S. Army veteran, will be our featured speaker as she shares her experiences with the first-ever all-women Honor Flight Kentucky. Our Linda was one of only 134 women selected for this prestigious honor. The Lexington Chapter is proud that twelve members of our chapter were on hand to greet Linda and the other veterans who were selected. Ladies, if you have never attended a welcome home celebration for Honor Flight, all I can say is get ready to wave your flags and get out the tissues. The following Lexington Chapter members were on hand: Amelia Wisner, who as Chapter Commemorative Events chair organized our group; also Anita Reddy, Debbie Gresham., Marika Wesolosky, Xana Plum, Pattie Blackburn, Andrea Schoninger, Kaye Combs Moore, Linda Cunningham., Nancy Wesolosky, Judy Owens, Charlotte Blackman, and Leslie Cornett. Bonus points to Leslie for bringing a prospective member with her!

This will be a truly special Salute to Women Veterans!

Back in 2019, three of our members led a committee to restore and repair the Bryan Station Monument, built by the Lexington Chapter commemorating the courage of the women of Bryan Station Fort. Our members will have the opportunity to hear a brief presentation about the monument and to examine this incredible legacy of our chapter and Fayette County history.

Welcome back to the kick-off of our Chapter year. Grab a brown bag lunch and join us. Long-time member Nancy DeMarcus will present a PowerPoint about a key piece of Chapter history: The Bryan Station Monument. This incredible monument was constructed within six years of the creation of our Chapter. Our members should have the opportunity to learn about the monument. After Nancy’s presentation, we will have a fun and fast-paced engagement to help you find a great committee. Lexington Chapter has some great projects. One will be a fit for you!