Territorial Daughters of Colorado, Greeley Centennial Chapter
Submitted by Judith Jergensen
The Territorial Daughters of Colorado was organized in Denver, Colorado, in 1910. There are four Chapters in Colorado, the newest being the Greeley Centennial Chapter, formed in 1976, Colorado’s centennial year.
The Territorial Daughters of Colorado are direct descendants of pioneers who had a residence in Colorado Territory prior to August 1, 1876. This date is when Colorado became the 38th state in the Union. Women, eighteen years of age or older, are eligible to apply for membership. Prospective members must furnish proof of their Colorado Territorial Ancestry.
The purpose of the organization is:
To perpetuate the memories and traditions of the pioneers who laid the foundation for the State of Colorado;
To place and locate markers at such places in the state as may be determined to be of historical value;
To participate in public ceremonies for the preservation of pioneer history; and
To preserve Colorado history, by making gifts of money or property for charitable, educational, religious or literary purposes.
The Greeley Centennial Chapter participates in the annual Potato Days each September at Centennial Village, and Trapper’s Day in Fort Lupton.
The Chapter obtained registration for the Weld County Court House on the National Register of Historical Places. We donate to multiple Colorado museums, and have provided flags for Centennial Village, Fort Vasquez and Old Fort Lupton. Additional projects include: benches for Centennial Village; furniture and maintenance funds for the Donelson House at Fort Lupton; commissioned the recreation of the wrought iron fence surrounding the Territorial Daughters marker at the Fort Lupton Museum; provided funds for the restoration of the bell tower at Highland Lake Church; and furnished iron for the hinges on the rebuilt Fort Lupton.
The Greeley Centennial Chapter meets in January, March, May, June, September and November. We enjoy presentations of historical significance and learn about the family history of members in a social setting.