Conococheague Chapter, NSDAR

Conococheague Chapter History

The Conococheague Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on September 27, 1932. That date was the 200th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Mrs. John Lillburn, Maryland State Regent, accompanied by members of the Frederick Chapter, NSDAR, met at the Women’s Club in Hagerstown, Maryland, with eighteen members of the newly organized chapter. The Conococheague Chapter, NSDAR, was the first chapter in Washington County. Mrs. Frank N. Hoffmeier was the organizing regent.

Significance of the Chapter Name

The Conococheague Chapter, NSDAR, is located in Washington County, Maryland. Originally, this geographic region, known as “Conococheague,” was comprised of parts of western Maryland and what now are southern parts of Pennsylvania. In 1739, an early settlement began along the banks of the Conococheague Creek that flows through this region. The origin of the Conococheague Chapter’s name is the Native American word meaning a “long way,” “long waters”, or “land between the mountains,” as the first settlement in 1732 was so-called. Later, in 1756, George Washington referred to this whole locality between the mountains as Conococheague.