125th Anniversary Celebration - Malvina Waring

    When the South Carolina State Society of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized, it was Malvina Waring who served as the Organizing Chapter Regent of the Columbia Chapter, the first chapter of our state.  It is interesting to note that in the GRC Waring is listed as a member of a DC chapter.  Her application was examined and approved on April 5, 1892 by Founder Eugenia Washington who was serving as Registrar General.  Her official membership start date was April 9, 1982.  

     As Chapter Regent, she worked tirelessly to grow the Columbia Chapter and to keep it strong as the state society was taking root in our state.  For many years, the work of the Columbia Chapter was the work of the SCDAR.  Without the work and dedication of the organizing members of the Columbia Chapter and those that followed in the early years, it is doubtful that the SCDAR would be as strong as it is today.  To those members, we thank you for your love of DAR when it was just finding its way in SC, your dedication to its success which established such strong roots,  and your hard work in demonstrating to the state of SC just how important patriotism, historic preservation, and education are to our society.

Malvina Sarah Black Waring

Mrs. Clark Waring

State Regent 1897-1900

#1489

                   12 Nov 1842 – Newberry, SC

6 Dec 1930  – Columbia, SC

aged 88

                             Elmwood Memorial Gardens

                             Columbia, Richland County, SC

Columbia Chapter Regent preparing to place flower on Waring's grave.

     In 1897, the SCDAR reluctantly accepted the resignation of Mrs. Bacon as State Regent, and Mrs. Malvina Waring, was elected to succeed her. She had worked with Bacon in the early days of the D. A. R., being the first Organizing Regent appointed for South Carolina, organizing the first chapter in the state, and serving as its first Regent.

     As State Regent, she continued to keep the existing chapters strong and growing while organizing five chapters. For nine consecutive years, the annual conferences of the SCDAR were held at her Columbia home during State Fair Week.  Following the business meeting was an informal reception, with Malvina Waring always the charming hostess.

     In 1901 she was elected Vice President General, serving until 1903. She served on the Memorial Continental Hall Committee but is best known for her service on the Revolutionary Relics Committee, the forerunner to our NSDAR Museum. She presented to Continental Congress a valuable collection of relics, the largest offered by any state, and received a rising ovation for her work during Continental Congress. It can be said that the success of the Museum was largely due to her work in gaining such a fine and large collection of relics.

     Although in later years handicapped by physical infirmity, she did not lose her interest in the work of the society.  She came to love Tamassee and donated generously to promote its success.  A large classroom at Tamassee was dedicated in her honor.