About the National and Tennessee Society
National Society
The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century is an organization of women, eighteen years of age or over, who are lineal descendants of an ancestor who lived and served prior to 1701 in one of the Original Colonies in the geographical area of the present United States of America. Our members are devoted to preserving the memory of those that settled in the United States of America prior to 1701. The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century was founded by Miss Mary Florence Taney of Kentucky. Its inception was during the meeting of the International Genealogical Congress at the Panama Exposition in San Francisco, CA on July 15, 1915. We are a non-profit organization with headquarters located in Washington D.C. Constructed in 1884, the headquarters building holds historical significance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To uphold and continue the values and ideals of our ancestors, our work is dedicated to the preservation of historic sites and records, promotion of heraldry and coats of arms, and support of charitable projects and education. Through these and many other activities, we acknowledge and honor those individuals whose enduring legacy of virtue, courage and patriotism formed this great nation. |
Mary Florence Taney
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Tennessee Society
During the Colonial Dames XVII Century National Conference held in April 1955 at the Sir Walter Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cecil T. Hays of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a delegate from Captain Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Texas State Society, was appointed Organizing President of the Tennessee Branch.
Tennessee was organized in Chattanooga on January 17, 1956, with 60 charter members composed of 50 new members and 10 transfer members. Three national officers and five Alabama state officers took part in the formalities. The day was concluded with a Winter Tea at George Thomas Hunter Gallery of Art on Bluff View, with seven other invited Tennessee state patriotic groups among the official guests.
The first regular meeting of the Tennessee State Society was held March 29, 1956, in the Gold Room of the Read House, Chattanooga. French B. Harrington, President General, installed the first elected state officers.
During the Colonial Dames XVII Century National Conference held in April 1955 at the Sir Walter Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cecil T. Hays of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a delegate from Captain Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Texas State Society, was appointed Organizing President of the Tennessee Branch.
Tennessee was organized in Chattanooga on January 17, 1956, with 60 charter members composed of 50 new members and 10 transfer members. Three national officers and five Alabama state officers took part in the formalities. The day was concluded with a Winter Tea at George Thomas Hunter Gallery of Art on Bluff View, with seven other invited Tennessee state patriotic groups among the official guests.
The first regular meeting of the Tennessee State Society was held March 29, 1956, in the Gold Room of the Read House, Chattanooga. French B. Harrington, President General, installed the first elected state officers.