By July 1890, the Sons of the American Revolution had been established. Mary Smith Lockwood read an article in The Washington Post of an account of a meeting which noted the presence of women at the meeting but exclusion from membership. She wrote in reply, "If this be the case, why do men and women band themselves to create a one-sided patriotism? If these were true patriotic women, why is not the patriotism of the country broad and just enough to commemorate the names of women also? Were there no mothers in the revolution; no dames as well as sires whose memories should be commemorated?" This letter resulted in the organization of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on October 11, 1890, at Mary Lockwood's home. The National Society's founders are Mary Smith Lockwood, Ellen Walworth, Mary Desha, and Eugenia Washington. Washington, D. C. was established as the national headquarters. The commitment was to promote patriotism and historic preservation. The requirement for acceptance was to prove direct ancestral lineage to an American Revolutionary War Patriot. The NSDAR became a highly prestigious and coveted society and chapters were quickly organized all over the country from large cities to small towns.

Walhalla, South Carolina was no exception. On July 7, 1916, twelve women began the organization of a local chapter, the Walhalla Chapter, NSDAR. A second meeting on July 15, 1916, resulted in the approval of the official name, the by-laws, and the appointment of four committees. The third meeting on July 29, 1916, resulted in the establishment of the white and blue as the colors, aster as the flower, and "The noble deeds of our ancestors are placed in the memory of the living" as the motto. The name as quoted by State Historian, Louise Aull, "was because most of the ladies lived in the town of Walhalla, and they desired to name the chapter for the town that is the county seat of Oconee County. The first regular meeting of the Walhalla Chapter, NSDAR, was held at the home of Mrs. W. D. Moss on October 10, 1916. The women became very active in the national objectives. One member donated land for the beginning of Tamassee DAR School; a school for disadvantaged children of Appalachia which has served children for over a century on both residential and non-residential bases. The present 135-member chapter continues to serve Tamassee DAR School and is involved in community service activities as well.