The Mine Creek – Paraclifta Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will celebrate its 65th anniversary with a come-and-go reception from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Howard County Museum in Nashville. The public is warmly invited to stop by and take part in this milestone celebration of history, community, and service.
The chapter has deep roots in Southwest Arkansas, representing Howard, Sevier, and Pike counties. The original Mine Creek Chapter was organized on April 16, 1960, named for the creek that runs through Howard County and the city of Nashville. Mine Creek, which flows into Millwood Reservoir, was named for the gypsum, salt, and slate mines once active in the area. Over the years, the chapter established lasting projects, including the Genealogy Room at the Howard County Public Library, which houses census records, newspapers on microfilm, and genealogy resources.
The Paraclifta Chapter was organized on Oct. 9, 1969, in Sevier County, named for the early county seat and for Choctaw Indian, Chief Paraclifta, who aided early settlers of the region. In 2008, the two chapters merged to become the present-day Mine Creek – Paraclifta Chapter, strengthening ties across the region while preserving both legacies.
Today, the chapter continues to serve its communities by supporting local schools and Veterans, promoting patriotism and historical preservation. Just a few of their activities include: promoting Constitution Week by taking Constitution Kits to six area schools, presenting the DAR Good Citizen Award to those schools, honoring veterans on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and throughout the year. The chapter is currently promoting a “shoe drive” to raise money for these projects. There are drop-off locations throughout the three counties served if anyone has shoes to donate to a good cause.
As part of the anniversary, visitors to the Howard County Museum will also enjoy a special America250 display, highlighting DAR’s national commemoration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. The upcoming public dedication of an America250 Patriot Marker will be on Nov. 15, during the Opening Ceremony of the new De Queen Lake Trail Head at Pine Ridge Camp.
The celebration also shines a spotlight on Edith Hendrix Smith, one of the organizing members of the Paraclifta Chapter and lifelong resident of Horatio. Recently, members visited Mrs. Smith to hear her stories of early DAR days, her family genealogy research, and the connections that still link members across generations. To honor her, the chapter presented her with a handmade quilt, made by the Thursday Afternoon Quilters Club in Dierks. Mrs. Smith was full of laughter and enjoyed sharing stories of days gone by.
The 65th anniversary reception will honor the connections between past and present, while also looking toward the future of DAR in Southwest Arkansas and across the nation as July 4, 2026, gets closer.
For more information, call Elizabeth Wilson Overton at 870-845-8419.
