More than 650 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution from across the country traveled to Grant, Ala., on October 2-4 to participate in the 100th Dedication Day activities of Kate Duncan Smith DAR School.
A Welcome Reception held in Becker-Horton Hall, the school’s iconic vertical log gymnasium, on Wednesday evening, featured a video message from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a performance by the Sutphin Family Cloggers, and a visit from Kate Duncan Smith herself.
The DAR members arrived on campus on Thursday morning in a processional led by riders on horseback carrying a U.S. Flag, a law enforcement escort, and two Ford Model T’s, reminiscent of the first Dedication Day in 1924. Many distinguished guests attended the festivities including President General of the DAR, Pamela Rouse Wright of Texas; National School Chair, Dawn Lemongello of Florida; Honorary President General, Lynn Young of Texas; and Alabama State Regent, Malinda Williams of Birmingham.
Thursday’s activities saw guests taking tours of the historic campus, participating in community service projects, reading to elementary school students, planting seeds in the greenhouse, visiting the museum, and watching a performance of the 6th grade Junior American Citizens Club. During the evening, attendees enjoyed a 1920’s-themed, formal gala at Marshall County R.S.V.P. That evening, United States Representative Robert Aderholt presented the school with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a commendation stating the school’s 100th Anniversary was observed in the Congressional Record.
The focal point of the annual festivities was the traditional Dedication Day Program on Friday, October 4, in the Burkey Center Gymnasium. Thirty states and/or organizations dedicated gifts given to the school during the past year, and a program entitled “A Centennial Story: 100 Years of KDS DAR School” featured students representing various milestones of the past century. State Senator Wes Kitchens and State Representative Jeana Ross were in attendance for the Dedication Day ceremony.
Immediately following the Dedication Day program on Friday, the school held its “Famous Basket Luncheon.” This event dates back to 1922 when the DAR Search Committee visited Gunter Mountain to inspect sites for a DAR School. The tradition began that day when an array of home-cooked meats, vegetables, breads, pies, cakes, and other delicacies were “spread under the trees” for the visiting Daughters. The luncheon continues today to express appreciation to the DAR for providing the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School for the children of Gunter Mountain.
Following lunch on Friday, there was a dedication ceremony for the KDS 100th Anniversary Project, the Centennial Campus Commons. This terraced greenspace in the heart of the historic campus will serve as a gathering place for the school and the community well into the future. The project was funded by generous donors at a cost of more than $400,000. A special group of donors called the ‘Committee of 100’ also contributed to increase the school’s endowment fund by $100,000, helping to prepare the school for the future.
Among the various other events to take place was the annual Dedication Day Craft Show. More than 35 crafters participated in the show that serves as a fundraiser for the High School Art Department. And almost 100 visiting DAR members cheered on the Patriots at Friday evening’s football game.
The historic 100th Dedication Day of KDS DAR School won’t soon be forgotten.
Photos from the three-day celebration will be available for download and purchase until November 20, 2024 on our online album. Click here to view now.
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