Native Daughters of the Golden West

Native Daughters of the Golden West is an American non-profit organization for women born in California. The organization focuses on the care and preservation of California history.[3] It is the sister organization to the Native Sons of the Golden West.

Native Daughters of the Golden West
Founded1886
FounderLilly O. Reichling[1]
Type501(c)(3)
FocusCalifornia history and heritage
Location
Grand President
Nina Coffenberry[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Founding at Pioneer Hall

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Pioneer Hall
 
 
Location in California
Location113 Main St., Jackson, California, United States
Coordinates38°20′57″N 120°46′27″W / 38.349067°N 120.774283°W / 38.349067; -120.774283
Reference no.34

The organization was founded in Pioneer Hall, a historic building located in Jackson, California.[4] The first meeting took place on September 11, 1886, in the basement of the Hall. The meeting was called by Lilly O. Reichling. Approximately 20 women attended the first meeting.[1] The hall is a California Historical Landmark.[4][5] On September 25, 1886, the Order was organized with Reichling serving as Secretary. Tina L. Kane was the first President. They called their meeting space a "Parlor" and the founding group was named Ursula.[1]

Ursula Parlor No. 1

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Victory A. Derrick, 1922 Grand President of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Who's who among the women of California

On March 7, 1887, charter officers were declared. Ursula No 1. had thirty-three founding members. Their first logo featured a fawn. They changed it to include the symbols of Minerva: oriflamme and sheaves of wheat. It also had the letters "P.D.F.A." added. Their founding principles were: "Love of Home, Devotion to the Flag of our Country, Veneration of the Pioneers of California, and an Abiding Faith in the Existence of God." These principles remain today. Between March and June 1887, seventeen other Parlors were organized. In July they held their first Grand Parlor in San Francisco, California.[1]

Today

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The main San Francisco Parlor is located in a building designed by architect Julia Morgan.[6]

Notable members

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Report of Historical Landmarks Committee of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, by Eliza D. Keith

Programs

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The organization focuses on projects that retain and support the heritage of California. This includes historic restoration of California Missions, the maintaining of the Roster of California Pioneers, scholarships, environmentalism, child welfare, and the development of historic landmarks.[3]

Publications

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From 1905 through 1954 the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West published The Grizzly Bear.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Briggs, Bertha A. "Founding of the Order of Native Daughters of the Golden West". Founding History. Native Daughters of the Golden West. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. ^ "About Us". ndgw.org. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Native Daughters of the Golden West". Santa Cruz Parlor no.26 records. MS 9. Santa Cruz, California: Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California.
  4. ^ a b "Pioneer Hall". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Pioneer Hall - Jackson, California". Amador Gold. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Native Daughters of the Golden West". Landmarks California. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  7. ^ a b Binheim, Max; Elvin, Charles A (1928). Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America. Retrieved 8 August 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Millard, Bailey (1924). History of the San Francisco Bay Region: History and Biography. Vol. 3. American Historical Society.
  9. ^ OCLC 5809069; Also see: Stanford University Library holdings: The Grizzly Bear Volumes 1–18; 1907–1917
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