Dear Sisters,
Do you know the origin of our organization?

The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War began May 30th, 1885, in Massillon, Ohio, when five grammar school girls observed the Memorial Day ceremony of their fathers (Union Veterans), brothers (Sons of Union Veterans), and members of the Ohio Department of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Harriet Knapp, Bertha Martin, Frank Merwin, Eve Merwin and Olive Howald witnessed the tender placing of flowers upon each grave, listened raptly to the noble tribute of the departed heroes, having sacrificed their lives and fortunes for the maintenance of our free government.

That day, in the Massillon Cemetery, they visualized the concept of Daughters of Union Veterans (DUV). They joined together into a group called a "tent", named Mrs. Major McKinley Tent No.1, serving the Grand Army of the Republic and performing patriotic duties. Today, tents continue to be named for Army nurses and loyal women of the Civil War era whose patriotic deeds during the years 1861 - 1865 were recorded.

Eligibility insisted, and shall never change, upon the direct descent, of a father or grand-father of honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines who served in the Union Army or Navy during the Rebellion of 1861 -1865, including those who died or were killed during their term of service.

By May 1890, tents were organized in five middle west states; Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. The first National Convention was held in Quincy, Illinois, June 1890.

The Daughters were incorporated in the State of Ohio, December 12, 1895 as National Alliance, Daughters of Veterans with Minnie F. King, Bertha M. Martin, Olive F. Howald, Eva Merwin and Amy Merrill signing the original articles of incorporation.

The organization was endorsed by The Grand Army of the Republic at the 34th Annual Encampment held in Chicago, Illinois in 1900 and is the only Civil War lineal descent women's organization recognized and endorsed by the Grand Army of the Republic. Bertha M. Martin served as National President in 1905.

In 1925, at 34th National Convention held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the name changed from National Alliance, Daughter of Veterans to Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. At the 54th National Convention in Des Moines, Iowa in 1944, the organization took the name as we now are known, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861 - 1865.

On December 10, 1981, Representative Paul Findley, 20th District of Illinois wrote to his colleagues, stating the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War as the oldest hereditary society for women in the country and the only member of the Grand Army of the Republic family which was not yet federally chartered. The Grand Army of the Republic, Inc. was the first to have received that honor in 1924 and the National Women's Relief Corps was the last in 1962. The DUV met all the criteria for qualifying for a federal charter, such as being national in character, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-profit. The DUV also worked in VA medical centers and soldiers homes in all states in which they were organized an presented awards to graduating seniors at the five service academies. Thus, a Federal Charter was granted by Public Law 99-172, December 9, 1985.

Our National Headquarters building was located in Washington, D.C. from 1934 to 1950. After the 1951 National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, a building in Springfield, Illinois was acquired. In June 1952, the building was dedicated. In February 1964, the old building was sold and a new building erected at 503 South Walnut. It was dedicated in April 1969.

The Museum/Headquarters is the home for a resident officer who greets guests and maintains the records and mementos. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. three days a week for the general public, but welcomes members daily. It preserves Civil War artifacts, genealogical files, records of members, their Civil War ancestors, some military and regimental records, and historical records pertaining to the GAR. Arrangements can be made with the resident officer for students and the general public to do research there.