Our Chapter History
On October 4, 2003, thirteen local women came together to form the Wild Horse Trail Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR). Our chapter was named after the historical Wild Horse Trail which runs through Bonner and Boundary Counties, as a remembrance of an exciting and colorful time in North Idaho’s history.
The Wild Horse Trail gained its name when gold was discovered in the autumn of 1863 in Wild Horse Creek near Fort Steel, British Columbia. What became known as the Wild Horse Trail included a combination of Indian trails, fur company trails, and the Boundary Commission trails. Taking six weeks to travel, the trail followed high ground in open country and seldom went down into canyons or near boggy ground to minimize handling troubles with horses and pack animals. The Wild Horse Trail was used as a supply route from eastern Washington through the Idaho Panhandle region until about 1880. Source: Boundary County Historical Society (1987). History of Boundary County, Idaho, Boundary County Historical Society. Vol. 1.
Our Mission
Wild Horse Trail Chapter, NSDAR, is one of 15 chapters of the Idaho State Society, NSDAR (ISSDAR). We serve God, home, and country in Bonner and Boundary Counties in North Idaho. Through dedicated service to historic preservation, education, and patriotism and the ties of service and friendship, we honor and preserve the memory and spirit of the rich history of our ancestors who achieved American independence.
Historic Preservation
We support the preservation of local historic buildings and monuments, organize commemorations and memorials, and preserve genealogical records and historical documents which are available to the public at the DAR Library.
Education
We are dedicated to promoting literacy, and celebrating student patriotism through essay contests, supporting the DAR schools, providing scholarships to high school students, and sponsor a local classroom where we donate much-needed educational supplies.
Patriotism
We provide active duty military with care packages, greeting cards, and collect and send coupons to overseas military. We participate in a variety of activities honoring the military and veterans in our community.
Our Chapter Activities
Wild Horse Trail Chapter, NSDAR, is a vibrant DAR chapter, and there are many volunteer opportunities within the organization. You can choose to serve with other members or take advantage of the many opportunities to volunteer from the comfort of your own home. Many of us do both!
Promoting
Our History
We remind our community of the rich history of Idaho and our nation, and of the brave military who served through public displays, educational handouts, and community events.
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED
We honor veterans through several activities, donate items to our local Veterans Administration (VA) Clinic and nearby VA Hospital. And during veteran holidays, we decorate various local cemeteries and gravesites with both wreaths and American flags.
Reaching out to our community
We recognize and award the members of our community who exemplifies patriotism, leadership, community service, or the defense and security of our nation.
REMEMBER our fallen veterans. HONOR those who serve. TEACH your children the value of freedom.
Our chapter is a proud supporter of Wreaths Across America and is dedicated to providing each veteran buried at Westmond Cemetery in Sagle, Idaho, with a wreath every December to honor the memory of their ultimate sacrifice and service to our nation.
Contact Us!
We welcome any woman over 18 years of age who has descended from an American Revolutionary Patriot regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background to become a member of DAR. The women who make up our membership come from all walks of life and are in different phases of life, yet we share a common bond of tracing our ancestry back to those who helped gain our nation’s independence.
Find Your Patriot
Our members come from all over Idaho and across the country. We encourage you to connect with our chapter, complete the membership interest form and explore the national DAR website which details the application process. We look forward to welcoming you to our chapter!
We meet monthly from September through June in Sandpoint, Idaho. We encourage you to attend one of our meetings, meet our members and learn more about our chapter. We can help you find your Patriot and assist you with your membership application to join DAR!
Do not hesitate to reach out to us and provide your contact information. Emails go directly to our chapter and you will be contacted.
The content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. Hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations or individual DAR chapters. Unless otherwise noted, photos are courtesy of the
Wild Horse Trail Chapter, NSDAR. Cover by JASPERDO.
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Last Updated: February 16, 2024
Wild Horse Trail Chapter, NSDAR 