On Wednesday, June 1st, 1910, a luncheon meeting was held at the
residence of the Organizing Regent, Mrs. Greydene-Smith in
Denver, Colorado.
Mrs.
Fred Wheaton, Colorado State Regent of NSDAR and Mrs. W. S.
Tarbell were honored guests. There were seven other ladies
present who were proud to be
charter members of the new 13th
Colorado NSDAR Chapter.
The
table centerpiece was a real Indian Peace Pipe tied with the
NSDAR colors and each guest was given a small replica of a Peace
Pipe.
National NSDAR had given approval for the Chapter to be named "Sante
Fe Trail" but before the actual charter time, it was learned
that Trinidad, Colorado, was organizing a new Chapter. Since Trinidad
was on the old trail, the name was relinquished to them.
Mrs.
Greylene-Smith suggested the name "Peace Pipe" because of its
historical significance in the development of the west.
The term was also indicative of "a first meeting," and
favored by all.
The
first yearbook cover was distinctive and different. The spirals
of smoke wreathing up from the Peace Pipe formed the letters "NSDAR"
One of
our cherished traditions is our "Peace Pipe Chapter Flag
Pageant" chartered to our Chapter. It is fully documented
and copyrighted. It was compiled by Mrs. Arthur D. Wall with art
work by Patricia Roth. This is accompanied by a replica of each
flag carried and displayed by members.
The
Flag Pageant was presented the first time, at a state conference
in Pueblo, Colorado, and then taken to Washington D.C. and shown
before the NSDAR Continental Congress in 1929. The pageant has
been shown from coast to coast as well as overseas.
Flag
Day is celebrated, each year on Genesee Mountain where a
flagpole and a monument are erected by our Chapter. The
first ceremony was held June 14th, 1911. Each year two flags
are given to the City and County of Denver through the
Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, who oversees the flying
of the flag.
Originally the ceremony was followed by a picnic on the grounds
but now a pot-luck luncheon is held at Christie's Restaurant in
Genesee. Mount Rendezvous Chapter has joined Peace Pipe
Chapter in this celebration. Flag bases were
designed and patented in 1927 by member, Miss Annette Newcomb.
They are still in use.
In 1945 the Chapter received one of Sitting Bull's Peace Pipes.
The red stone pipe was supposed to have been used
at a conference between government commissioners, and Chiefs of
the Sioux, and other tribes in 1867. Robert R.
Peale, son of Franklin Peale, to whom Chief Sitting Bull
presented the pipe in 1882, presented the pipe to our Chapter.
The Chapter presented it to the NSDAR Museum in Washington D.C.,
where it is currently displayed.
May 3, 1917, Peace Pipe Chapter, along with two other
Chapters, planted and dedicated the first "Washington" elm tree
in Washington Park.
The Chapter has been active in placing markers, planting trees,
and planting columbine seeds, in the mountains.
The Chapter began supporting the "I am an American Day" in
1941 and continues to support it although it is now known as
"Citizenship Day." We help the Naturalization Court of
Denver to present flags and codes to new citizens.
The John Blue Society of the Children of the American Revolution
was named for the ancestor of one of our members and is supported
by the Peace Pipe and Mount Rosa Chapters.
