Current Projects
DAR Historical Marker - Basque Block
On March 23, 2022, Pioneer Chapter unveiled, with the help of the NSDAR President General, a DAR Historical Marker honoring visionary Boisean Adelia Garro Simplot. A fourth generation Idahoan of Basque heritage, Simplot recognized the need to preserve the Basque heritage and history in Boise by preserving these historic buildings. She purchased the Cyrus Jacobs/Uberuaga house in 1983 and with her husband, Richard R. Simplot, made the payments for the first three years before donating the house to the Basque Cultural Center of Idaho, Inc. The Cyrus Jacobs/Uberuaga House, built in 1864, is the oldest surviving brick residence in Boise City. Simplot then further led conservation efforts with the formation of the nonprofit group, the Basque Cultural Center of Idaho, Inc., later renamed Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Inc., to promote Basque history and culture. She is a treasure and we were honored to celebrate her this way!
Government Island Monument - Rotary Pocket Park
In 1932, Pioneer Chapter placed this Idaho-shaped stone, along with a companion stone placed by the Sons and Daughters of Idaho Pioneers. Each commemorated Government Island, an important stop along the Oregon Trail and a place where the Army built a fort in the early history of the Boise Valley. 80-plus years later, the valley has grown up around our monument, but not in a way that allows the stone to tell its story. Thanks to the efforts of three local Rotary Chapters, our monument is now the centerpiece of the new Rotary "Pocket Park" right along the Boise Greenbelt. Right along the Boise River and just under the Trellis Bridge, Pioneer Chapter is thrilled to have partnered with our local Rotary Clubs to make this important gift to the City of Boise!
Pocket Constitutions
Fifth graders in Boise and Meridian receive their first exposure to DAR's favorite founding document, the United States Constitution. Their studies, however, don't include the opportunity to read the Constitution in depth, nor does it include instruction on how to care and display our beautiful American flag.
In celebration of Constitution Week and our commitment to promote civic education, this project's goal is to make constitution resources available to teachers at no cost. From this website, teachers will be able to order pocket constition copies, flags, and flag pins, as well as lesson plans to help shape discussions on the constitution and respecting our flag. Teachers will also be able to request a DAR speaker to visit their classroom to speak about our connection to the Revolutionary War!