About Us
History
The Quaker Meadows Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on June 9, 1972. It was named for the oldest European settlement in Burke County, North Carolina, an area just west of the Catawba River. In 1780, brothers Charles and Joseph McDowell, two American Revolutionary War leaders, gathered Patriot soldiers from the surrounding area, which is now part of Tennessee and Wilkes and Surry Counties in North Carolina, onto their Burke County property known as Quaker Meadows. These soldiers were named the Overmountain Men. Under a giant oak tree, later called Council Oak, they laid the plans which led to the defeat of the loyalists under British Major Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain, the turning point of the war in the South.
We are a vibrant, growing chapter with members who embrace the opportunity to serve our community in many ways. Chapter meetings are held in the town of Morganton and we meet monthly, January through May and September through December. Prospective members are always welcome. For more information about attending a meeting or becoming a member, please contact us.
Burke County Historic Courthouse stands in the center square of Morganton, North Carolina.
A grandmother helps her granddaughter with her application for membership.
A member celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in period costume.
Our registrar is hard at work researching applications.
The chapter is dedicated to historical preservation, the promotion of education, and the encouragement of patriotic endeavors. We promote American history throughout the year by honoring historically significant people, places, and events. We also support a variety of educational programs, contests, and awards, and encourage family history research.
If you think you would be interested in joining our chapter, please contact us.
A Quaker Meadows member repairs a gravestone during a Day of Service workday at Gilboa Cemetery.
Meetings
Our chapter meets twice a month for a program and lunch, January through May and September through December, once during the week and once on Saturday. You are welcome to visit us and learn more about our volunteer activities and projects.
A sampling of our meeting programs:
- Good Citizens and American History Award Winners
- Quilting Your Family History
- Family Bible Records
- Domestic Violence Prevention
- A Special Guest: Grace Greenlee Bowman McDonald, a Revolutionary War Patriot
- Crossnore Communities for Children
- State Regents Project
We also participate in activities outside of meetings, such as cemetery preservation, historic tours, and local parades.
Quaker Meadows Daughters cleaning Gilboa Methodist Church for a Homecoming celebration during a Day of Service workday.
Quakers Meadow Regent demonstrates making a bell for Bells Across America at a Saturday meeting.