Public invited to Daughters of the Republic’s celebration

An organization dedicated to Texas history — the Moon-McGehee Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas — is inviting the public to attend their 90th birthday celebration.

On Saturday from 1-4 p.m. the Moon-McGehee Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will hold their birthday party at the Charles S. Cock House, 400 E. Hopkins. 

According to the organization, the event will provide refreshments and an opportunity to win a Texas flag that has flown over the Alamo. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the historical Merriman cabin and see period relics, as well as a re-enactment of Juana Navarro Alsbury, a survivor of the Alamo. 

Daughters of the Republic of Texas, according to Treasurer of the Moon-McGehee Chapter Judy Tannehill, focuses on education about Texas history. She said the organization has an art contest for students centered on local history and an essay contest for 4th and 7th graders. 

“So education is pretty big, we like to donate books about the period to San Marcos Library or any of the school libraries,” Tennehill said. “We've donated flags that flew over the Alamo to different schools here and the San Marcos Library and probably the Wimberley library also.”

In addition to education, the organization is “committed to the preservation of Texas heritage.” 

Tennehill said DRT as a whole began in 1891, “primarily because of two women whose ancestors fought at San Jacinto and they just wanted their memory to be kept alive.”

The Moon-McGehee Chapter started in 1929 and was named for William Washington Moon and Thomas Gilmer McGehee, two of the first settlers of San Marcos and Hays County, according to the organization.

The Moon-McGehee Chapters encourages members of the community to attend their birthday celebration and learn more about their organization and its mission.