Founder Clara Driscoll
While attending a DRT Convention in Houston, a number of DRT Daughters decided a worthwhile project would be to charter a new chapter for young women at the University of Texas in Austin. The Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Chapter was founded by Clara Driscoll and organized on April 21, 1933 at the University of Texas with 30 members.
In 1905, Clara Driscoll and Adina de Zavala had obtained a crumbling Alamo in San Antonio for the DRT to preserve its importance in the state's history. In 1950, the organization opened its library at the site. The Alamo is now managed by the state of Texas.
In 1929, the DRT began the Children of the Republic of Texas in order to assemble men and women under the age of 21, who also descend from early Texas pioneers. Today, our chapter sponsors the Sarah Turner Cottle Chapter of the Children of the Republic of Texas.
Portrait, Clara Driscoll, 1903. Image courtesy of the Briscoe Center for American History.
Clara Driscoll Speaks to the Texas Legislature
In this undated photo from the early 1900's, Clara Driscoll makes one of several appearances before the Texas Legislature, at different times encouraging the State to buy the Alamo, to make appropriations to purchase it and later on "giving" the property to the State with the understanding that DRT would be custodian. Republic of Texas Museum photo; Decade of Daughters.
In 1949, the Daughters in Austin received custodianship of the beautiful French Legation site in Austin. The building was built for Alphonse Dubois de Saligny of France and is the oldest standing frame structure in Austin. It once served as the diplomatic outpost of France during the days of the Republic of Texas.
After the DRT managed and preserved the property for 68 years, the Texas Historical Commision took it over in 2017.
French Legation State Historic Site
Laguna Gloria in Austin was built in 1916 by Clara Driscoll and her husband, Henry Sevier. Clara was a world traveler who loved Italy especially, so she styled her new home as an Italian villa.
In 1943, Clara Driscoll donated Laguna Gloria to the Texas Fine Arts Association. Today it belongs to The Contemporary Austin and is open to the public.
Photograph, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas at Laguna Gloria, ca. 1916-1929.
Clara Driscoll is standing in the front row near the center with her dress draped at the hips. Image courtesy of Humanities Texas. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
Clara Driscoll