About Our Chapter
~~~ Our Beginnings ~~~
Founder Clara Driscoll
While attending a DRT Convention in Houston, a number of DRT Daughters decided a worthwhile project would be to charter a new chapter for young women at the University of Texas in Austin. The Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Chapter was founded by Clara Driscoll and organized on April 21, 1933 at the University of Texas with 30 members.
In 1905, Clara Driscoll and Adina de Zavala had obtained a crumbling Alamo in San Antonio for the DRT to preserve its importance in the state's history. In 1950, the organization opened its library at the site. The Alamo is now managed by the state of Texas.
In 1929, the DRT began the Children of the Republic of Texas in order to assemble men and women under the age of 21, who also descend from early Texas pioneers. Today, our chapter sponsors the Sarah Turner Cottle Chapter of the Children of the Republic of Texas.
Portrait, Clara Driscoll, 1903. Image courtesy of the Briscoe Center for American History.
In 1949, the Daughters in Austin received custodianship of the beautiful French Legation site in Austin. The building was built for Alphonse Dubois de Saligny of France and is the oldest standing frame structure in Austin. It once served as the diplomatic outpost of France during the days of the Republic of Texas.
After the DRT managed and preserved the property for 68 years, the Texas Historical Commision took it over in 2017.
French Legation State Historic Site
Laguna Gloria in Austin was built in 1916 by Clara Driscoll and her husband, Henry Sevier. Clara was a world traveler who loved Italy especially, so she styled her new home as an Italian villa.
In 1943, Clara Driscoll donated Laguna Gloria to the Texas Fine Arts Association. Today it belongs to The Contemporary Austin and is open to the public.
Photograph, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas at Laguna Gloria, ca. 1916-1929.
Clara Driscoll is standing in the front row near the center with her dress draped at the hips. Image courtesy of Humanities Texas. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Clara Driscoll
Namesake Stephen F. Austin
1833 Portrait of Stephen Fuller Austin
This 76 foot statue is located in the Stephen F. Austin - Munson Historical County Park in Angleton.
Stephen F. Austin died on December 27, 1836 and was given the moniker "The Father of Texas" by Sam Houston. Austin was the first Empresario who brought colonists into the Mexican territory of Texas, as early as 1821. The first three hundred families are referred to as the Old 300.
His father, Moses Austin was originally given the empresarial grant that would allow him to bring 300 American families to Texas. As he was dying from pneumonia, he directed that this mission would be taken over by his son Stephen. Although Austin was reluctant to carry on his father's Texas venture, he was persuaded to do so by a letter from his mother.
Upon his death in 1836, Stephen F. Austin was buried on his sister's property at Peach Point in Brazoria County. In 1910, his remains were moved by train to Austin. He was then buried in the Texas State Cemetery and this monument was placed in his honor.
The sacred ground of the Texas State Cemetery serves as a burial site for state officials, Texas cultural icons and honored Texas citizens of all kinds.
Stephen F. Austin
~~~ Current Day ~~~
The stated missions of our chapter:
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Perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.
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Provide educational programs of the highest caliber in coordination with Texas school districts and the Texas Education Agency, as well as programs for the public.
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Encourage research into early Texas records, preserve historic documents and encourage the publication of historic records.
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Secure and memorialize historic sites.
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To promote the celebration of Texas Honor Days.
With over 100 members and new women added every year, our chapter has continued to thrive throughout our 90+ year history. A love of Texas history binds women of all ages with the common goal of enjoying and preserving the history of our beloved state. By researching and documenting each generation of our family history back to our ancestors from the early 1800's (before February of 1846), we have established a bond to the past and to each other. Daughters of the Republic of Texas rely on the volunteers of all of its chapters to provide numerous hours of their time to the cause.
2023 - 2025 Chapter Officers
President Milli Pope
1st Vice President Sharon Wander
2nd Vice President Debi Pantalion
3rd Vice President Lori Helmers
Recording Secretary Carolyn Schilithuis
Corresponding Secretary Beverly Locklin
Treasurer Sherry Crickmer
Registrar Allyce Dolan
Historians Kathryn Barnes &
Sharyl Burshnick
Chaplain Muriel Parker
Honors & Awards Laura Kitley &
Barbara Walters
Parliamentarian Ervalyn McVeigh
Please see our Meetings and Events and Newsletter pages to learn more about all of the fun and interesting activities we enjoy together.
April 21, 1836: Texan militia under Sam Houston defeat troops under Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto