|
President's Message
Welcome to the Mary Whitney Phelps Tent No. 22, Daughters of Union Veterans, 1861-1865 Web site.
Based in Springfield, Missouri, we were chartered on October 3, 1999. Tent No. 22 is an active tent, with its members participating in the objects of the organization, including genealogical, historical, patriotic, and service and community projects. Ongoing tent projects include patriotic instruction for elementary school children, giving porch flags to residents of new homes for Habitat for Humanity, and the Adopt-a-Veteran program at the Mt. Vernon Veterans’ Home to fulfill the veterans’ Christmas wish lists. Tent No. 22 is a member of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation and supports the national battlefield in various ways.
As we approach the commemoration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, Tent No. 22 is continuing to support projects, which highlight and document contributions made by men and women of southwest Missouri to preserve the Union:
- Tent No. 22 recently place a marker near the site of Fort Sand Springs in Webster County, Missouri, which documents the importance of the fort on the Wire Road and the action there on January 9, 1863. The marker also lists the names of 99 men who served at the fort. The marker is located at the corner of Highway 38 and Timber Ridge Road. A formal dedication will be held on April 24, 2010.
- Tent No. 22 is also continuing its work on a book, documenting Civil War markers and monuments in a 24-county area of southwest Missouri. We hope to go to the publisher in early 2010.
- As you can read on another page on this Web site, Mary Whitney Phelps, our Tent namesake, was truly a heroine of the Civil War. One of her accomplishments was the establishment of an orphanage in Springfield for war orphans. Mary used monies she had received from Congress for the building and staffing of the home. According to an 1876 map, the orphanage was located on 27 acres at the corner of present-day Sunshine Street and Campbell Avenue. Tent No. 22 has set a goal of marking this site in 2010.
Tent No. 22 is a friendly group, and we welcome visitors to our monthly meetings. We usually meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month at The Library Center, but be sure to check for times and meeting places, as we’ve adjusted to accommodate speakers and other functions.
Enjoy our Web site!
In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,
Fran Black
Photo in header was taken by Sally McAlear.
|