Fort Nelson Chapter, NSDAR
Portsmouth, Virginia
Our House
Constructed in 1935, the Fort Nelson Chapter House is a 1.5-story building that beautifully showcases the structural elegance and charm of a classic colonial Tidewater home. The lot on which the building is situated was subdivided from a larger lot that Jerome and Martha Womble Carr purchased in 1911. Jerome Carr built the house between September and December 1935 specifically for the chapter and in honor of his wife who was regent at the time. He also donated some of the furnishings.
According to the deed, the property was deeded pursuant to conditions established by the Carrs. Restrictions included no dancing permitted and the property could not be used to secure any debt for the first 25 years.
The Chapter House was formally dedicated on December 3, 1935. It was added to the State's Historic Landmark Register and National Register for Historic Properties in 2007.
Our Officers 2025-2028
Wendy Mathias
Regent
Susan Perez
1st Vice Regent
Alexis Gardner
2nd Vice Regent
Leigh Gillis
Chaplain
Pam McKittrick
Recording Secretary
Tish Adkins
Treasurer
Mary Buller
Registrar
Mary Pollock
Corresponding Secretary
Helen Chapman
Historian
Linda Baker
Librarian
Wanda Russo
Honorary Regent
Our Name
From the minutes of the organizational meeting of the Fort Nelson Chapter, May 9, 1896:
The discussion of a name then arose and that of Fort Nelson was chosen as being most appropriate owing to the fact that Fort Nelson was local, the site of which is now occupied by the United States Naval Hospital. Fort Nelson was erected by the State of Virginia for the defense of Norfolk and Portsmouth after Lord Dunmore destroyed the two cities in 1776.
Calendar 2026 - 2027
The Fort Nelson Chapter, NSDAR, meets on the first Thursday of each month, September through June. Visitors are always welcome to attend our meetings. We hope you will come meet us and learn more about our chapter and DAR. Contact us and we will send you an invitation.
September
3 9/11 Commemoration
5 Battle of the Capes Commemoration
11 Patriot Day
17 Citizenship Day
17-23 Constitution Week
18 POW-MIA Recognition Day
October
1 American Indian Residential
Boarding Schools and 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty
11 NSDAR Day of Service
11 NSDAR Day of Prayer
19 Yorktown Day
November
5 Environmental Restoration in Portsmouth
7 Hill House Tea
11 Veterans Day
27 American Indians Heritage Day
December
3 Tour Adam Thoroughgood House
5 Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration
7 Pearl Harbor Day
15 Bill of Rights Day
January
7 Nature's Nanny Wildlife Rehab
February
4 Accused Witches in Colonial America
15 Deadline for American Heritage Arts
15 Presidents' Day
27 George Washington Luncheon
March
4 First Ships of the US Navy
29 Vietnam War Veterans Day
April
1 Dolly Madison
22 Naturalization Ceremony
May
6 The Moses Myers House
6 National Day of Prayer
16 Armed Forces Day
31 Memorial Day
June
3 Essay Contest winners
6 D-Day
14 Flag Day