History of John Haupt Chapter
Topeka, Kansas

Louise Plyley was appointed by Mary Ainsworth, former State Regent of KSDAR, to organize a chapter of Junior members in Topeka. Louise helped many young women work on their papers and by November 17, 1949, there were enough to become a chapter. When it came time to decide on a name for the chapter, the members wanted to show appreciation to Louise for her help by naming the chapter for her ancestor, John Haupt, Jr.

In 1951 the silver service from the Battleship Kansas was borrowed from the Kansas State Historical Society for use at DAR State Conference in Topeka. The service was tarnished black from being in storage, so we spent hours polishing it. After using it for a tea at the Governor's Mansion, it has been kept there to be used on State occasions. That same year there was a devastating flood in Topeka and members donated blood for flood victims and toys for the children.

1952 was the year when the tradition started of donating cupcakes decorated with small American flags to the patients at the veteran's hospital on Flag Day. We have donated about 1,180 dozen cupcakes over the years. We now donate place mats and napkins for the occasion. In 1957 teas honoring newly-naturalized citizens were initiated. The functions held immediately after the Naturalization Court in the Federal Building give our new citizens the opportunity to become acquainted with us and each other and are mutually beneficial.

During the Bicentennial year of 1976, our project was to begin indexing 15 volumes of the Kansas Militia in the Civil War for the Kansas State Historical Archives. In 1978 members helped compile a book on Kansas Pioneers and in 1989 our Genealogical Records Chairman submitted a two-volume publication of Civil War Letters written by Private George Flanders to his family here in Topeka between 1861 and the close of the war.

In 1993 our chapter presented a Crawford-Capper Memorial, which is a historical plaque marking the graves of two famous Kansans, Governor Samuel Johnson Crawford and Senator Arthur Capper, and their spouses.

By November 17, 1999, we enjoyed 50 years of companionship and there are still 4 charter members active, including one who was an organizing member.

 

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