Fifteen members of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas from The Clara Driscoll Chapter attended the District VII dinner and workshop at the Alamo and the Menger Hotel, respectively. The events were hosted by the Alamo Mission Chapter in San Antonio, Nov. 6 and 7.

The Alamo Mission Chapter of the City of Saint Anthony, better known as San Antonio, is home to four other sister Missions, San Juan, San Jose, Concepcion and Espada. These Missions were constructed on the San Antonio River, dating back to the early 1700s.

The District VII chapters are composed of three San Antonio Chapters, including The Alamo Mission, Alamo Heroes, and Alamo Couriers.

Other chapters composing District VII are Austin’s Ranging Company of New Braunfels; Cadell-Smith Chapter, Uvalde; Clara Driscoll Chapter, Corpus Christi; Fort Brown Chapter, Brownsville; James W. Fannin Chapter, Victoria; Rio Medio Chapter, Beeville; Stenson - Simpson Chapter, Rockport - Fulton; Texana Chapter, Edna; and Villa de San Augustin de Laredo, Laredo.

Following dinner in Alamo Hall on the grounds of the Alamo complex, the Daughters of District VII attended an “after hours” tour of the Alamo conducted by Dr. Bruce Winders, Historian and Curator at the Alamo

The next morning, the Daughters attended the workshop in the historic Menger Hotel next door to the Alamo. The Menger was built only 23 years after the fall of the Alamo.

Guests over the years include Teddy Roosevelt; Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Sidney Lanier and Sarah Bernhardt as well as welcome legendary ghosts who add to its charm.

All the different members of the State-wide Daughters of the Republic of Texas Chapters in their different Districts are currently working on reconstruction work for the shrine they have been caring for the past 105 years.

The District chapters also have been working diligently on the restoration of tombstones in the Indianola Cemetery in Indianola, as well as fencing the cemetery property.

Some of the Chapter members of District VII plan to be present for the chartering of The Presidio La Bahia Chapter DRT in Goliad, Jan. 23, 2010.

Locally the Clara Driscoll Chapter Daughters also attended their regular meeting Nov. 14 at Trinity Towers in Corpus Christi. First Vice President Chobie Stringham has been securing speakers, two of whom have been Kathy Boyd Wemer and Mary Jo O’Rear. Future speakers will be Dr. Paul Spellman; Dr. Robert Wooster; Newton Warzecha and Tim Cummings.

Other Clara Driscoll plans include future visits to the DRT Library in San Antonio and the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad. This chapter is donating a Texas Flag to the Refugio 7th grade and is planning a Texas Independence Celebration next March with the Nueces County Historical Commission at the Centennial House in Corpus Christi with a “Toast to Texas.”

Three ladies from the Clara Driscoll Chapter are working on State DRT Committees: Anita Eisenhower, DRT Headquarters and Museum; Carolyn Baker, Education and Flag Committee; and Theresa Baucum, DRT Library Committee.

A Christmas luncheon in December will held at the Yacht Club in Corpus Christi and other tours to historical cities.

Hearing the different historians speak about Texas and its history is greatly anticipated by this group.

The main purpose of the DRT is to educate others about Texas, - its history, heroes and citizens who have contributed to the state’s history.