U.S.D. 1812 helps decorate Old State House Museum
United States Daughters of 1812 state officers joined others to decorate the historical rooms and hallways with Christmas cheer at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock.
Several organizations, including United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution and U.S.D. 1812 helped save the old Capitol building from destruction and donated countless antiques to OSH, a news release said.
The OSH housed a number of agencies and functions through the 20th century. It served as the Arkansas War Memorial, became the first home of the Arkansas State Police, and held the offices of a number of statewide patriotic organizations, including U.S.D. 1812.
The building served as the state Capitol until 1911, when construction was completed on a new building. Questions arose concerning the future of the first state house and many advocated demolition.
Women’s organizations, including U.S.D. 1812, the Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs, DAR, UDC, the Colonial Dames, passionately advocated keeping the building as a historic monument, since the structure was the site of Arkansas government proceedings for 75 years. These women’s organization served as a major influence in the survival of the OSM, the release said.
U.S.D. 1812, a service organization, was organized in 1892. On Feb. 25, 1901, the society was incorporated by an act of Congress and approved by President William McKinley. This was the first woman’s organization to receive such a National Charter. The Arkansas society was organized in 1906 and began immediately to serve Arkansas.