The Colonial Dames of America Chapter XXXI- South Carolina installs first chapter in the state
Contributed by Fred Kellogg

The Forest Lake Club, April 2007 Chapter XXXI Spring Meeting. (l to r) Camille Baxter, Mary Jane Stallworth, and CDA REgistrar, Robin Towns.

The Colonial Dames of America is the oldest hereditary and patriotic women's society in the nation. It was founded in New York City May 23,1890. The National Society of Colonial Dames of America was founded in 1893. The Colonial Dames of the XVII Century was founded in 1915.

The Colonial Dames of America (familiarly called "CDA") has 32 chapters, including chapters in London, England, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy. One of the newest chapters is Chapter XXXI - South Carolina, the first chapter in the state. The founding president of Chapter XXXI - South Carolina, Dyane Dye Kellogg, is a life member of the parent chapter in New York who was asked by the parent chapter to start a South Carolina group when she moved to South Carolina. This became a reality when Dyane Dye Kellogg accepted the Charter at the CDA National Meeting at the venerable University Club on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Dyanne Kellogg, Chapter XXXI president

Chapter XXXI - South Carolina has chosen as a permanent project to sponsor two important historic buildings, the Mount Vemon Hotel Museum, built 1799 in New York; and in South Carolina, Hopsewee Plantation, built ca. 1740, the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence, located on the north side of the North Santee River adjoining Highway 17, just south of Georgetown, South Carolina.

The South Carolina Installation Ceremony of CDA was held Thursday, January 25, 2007 at picturesque Hopsewee Plantation House, at a tea, from 2:00-4:00. The president general of Colonial Dames of America 2006- 2009, Audrey Allerton Chapin Svensson, came from New York for the ceremony. Dyane Dye Kellogg presided, and Robin Redfeam Towns, registrar, conducted the installation. Raejean Beattie, owner of the colonial- period Hopsewee Plantation gave a brief talk about Hopsewee Plantation. Margaret Wolfe was in charge of the tea.

Every year CDA holds a complimentary Garden Party for members at the picturesque Mount Vemon Hotel Museum, 417-421 East 61st Street, New York City as well as an Egg Nog party at Christmas time. Gentlemen are invited to both parties as well. Since Chapter XXXI - South Carolina of Colonial Dames of America encompasses the whole state of South Carolina plus other states, meetings are held around the state. Columbia was chosen for the spring luncheon held recently at the Forest Lake Club. Betty Wilds was the hostess. Investiture of charter members was held. Dyane Dye Kellogg presided, and Robin Redfeam Towns, registrar, was in charge of the investiture of charter members.

In all, about fifty women with Colonial ancestry are lined up to become Charter Members and will be invested at the fall meeting, as their papers are not quite completed.