Welcome to the Bitter Root Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR). Our members are committed to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
Our members descend from Patriots who won independence during the American Revolutionary War. Since that day, women have joined the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, representing chapters in all fifty states and around the world. DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service and have served in communities around the world.
Our chapter sponsors educational awards and scholarships. We support our local veterans and children. We honor our ancestors and recognize outstanding citizens in our area.
Each member is a direct descendant of a Patriot of the American Revolutionary War. You can see if you have an ancestor who was a Patriot here. The Bitter Root Chapter, NSDAR, was officially organized on May 17, 1919, in Missoula, Montana, by the organizing regent.
The name Bitter Root was chosen for three reasons:
1) Every spring the valley is covered with pink bitterroot blossoms,
2) The Bitter Root Mountain Range of the Rockies stands as the guardian to the west, and
3) The Bitter Root River slips through en route to the Pacific.
Bitterroot is now generally written as one word, but the chapter retains the original spelling of two words. The state flower, commonly known as the bitterroot, was first described and recorded botanically by Captain Meriwether Lewis during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and its genus, Lewisia rediviva, derives from Lewis’ name.
The chapter has approximately 120 members and we always welcome new members. Several members are excellent genealogists, and they are very willing and able to help anyone interested in tracing her ancestors and joining the chapter.
Wreaths Across America
Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you. Follow the link below to order your wreaths today.
https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/167743/Overview/?relatedId=16593
Want to learn more?
Patriotism
Education
Historic Preservation
American Spirit Magazine
Upon receiving, reviewing and considering the proposal from the October 11, 2025, National Board of Management meeting, the Board voted to cease print, subscriber-only publication of American Spirit and Daughters with the March/April 2026 issues. A single digital publication was introduced in July/August 2026 and is available to all Daughters as a member resource at no cost.
This new digital publication will be highly interactive and designed to welcome new DAR members and engage all members in the mission of the National Society, as well as feature a user-friendly, enjoyable mobile experience and opportunities for sharing content on social media as a public relations tool. We look forward to this next chapter for our DAR publications.