Temperance Building a DAR treasure

Members of Avery Trace Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution were guests during last month’s Heart of Harriman Gala in the historic Temperance Building.

Avery Trace Chapter DAR members gather with Tennessee Society DAR State Regent Linda B. Jones, center right, for the DAR marker presentation at the Harriman Temperance Building. Members include, from left, Marcia Pickel, Gertie Day, Julia Springer, Avery Trace DAR Regent Jane McPherson, Jones, Emily McDonald, Brenda McDonald, Shirley Smith, Rosemary Alexander and Carolyn Balog, national defense chairwoman of Georgia Society DAR.

The event, a fundraiser for the building’s preservation, took on special meaning for the Avery Trace Chapter, which dedicated a DAR marker to commemorate the building and its place in Harriman’s past, present and future.

Meaningful in the mission of DAR, as stated in the DAR National Handbook and Bylaws, is “To promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.”

Thus, members believe the gala fundraiser for the building was an ideal venue. It also plays into DAR President General Mary Ann Wright’s motto, “Preserve the Past, Embrace the Present and Invest in the Future.”

The building that became known as The Temperance Building was constructed in 1890 to house the offices of The East Tennessee Land Co., which founded Harriman.

It has housed various enterprises, including The American Temperance University, The William D. Mooney School of Murfreesboro, Harriman City Hall and private offices.

The downtown structure is now home to The Harriman Heritage Museum, the Harriman City Schools Alumni office and district offices of state Sen. Ken Yager and state Rep.-elect Julia Hurley.

The dedication included Linda B. Jones, state regent, Tennessee Society DAR; Emaline S. Edwards, recording secretary, TSDAR, Julia Springer, treasurer, TSDAR; Joyce Y. Morgan, American History vice chairwoman, TSDAR; Carolyn B. Balog, national defense chairwoman of Georgia Society DAR; Emily A. McDonald, vice chairwoman junior membership, TSDAR; Faye Sliger, regent of Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR; and Susan Young, registrar of Southwest Point DAR.

Avery Trace Chapter DAR members attending were Regent Jane McPherson, First Vice Regent Brenda McDonald, Recording Secretary Rosemary Alexander, Historian Gertie Day, Registrar Janice Black and Honorary Chapter Regents Marcia Pickel and Shirley Smith.

Avery Trace Chapter DAR strives to be in the community meeting people, telling them about DAR, the chapter, the projects throughout the county and its veterans programs to further the DAR motto of “God, Home and Country.”