Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On November 6, 1891, seventeen women met at the home of Mrs. Andrew Briscoe at this site to organize an auxiliary to the Texas Veterans Association. Mrs. Anson Jones was elected president of the new organization, Daughters of the Lone Star Republic. Goals set for the group included preserving the memories of Texas Revolution heroes, instilling Texas patriotism in the state's school children, preservation of historic sites, and promoting statewide celebrations of Texas Independence Day (March 2) and San Jacinto Day (April 21). The first annual meeting of the organization was held in Lampasas on April 21, 1892. A resolution was passed to change the group's name to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. By 1892 the first two chapters had been formed, one in Galveston and one in Houston. The DRT has been in the forefront of many historic preservation projects throughout the state. Clara Driscoll, on behalf of the D. R. T., wrote personal checks to save the Alamo from demolition. The organization also led efforts to preserve and commemorate the San Jacinto Battlefield site, and maintains the old General Land Office and French Legation buildings in Austin as museums. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On November 6, 1891, seventeen women gathered at Mrs. Andrew Briscoe's Houston home to form an auxiliary to the Texas Veterans Association, electing Mrs. Anson Jones president and soon renaming themselves the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Their aims—honoring Texas Revolution heroes, teaching patriotism, and preserving historic sites—drove a long record of preservation work. Members such as Clara Driscoll famously wrote personal checks to save the Alamo, while the group also protected the San Jacinto Battlefield and Austin's old General Land Office and French Legation.
Why it matters
The DRT pioneered organized historic preservation in Texas, and its founding shows women claiming a public role as guardians of civic memory in the late 19th century.
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Related people
- · Mrs. Anson Jones
- · Clara Driscoll
- · Mrs. Andrew Briscoe
Related events
- · Founding of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, 1891
Themes & tags
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