Our chapter was started with the working woman in mind so that we can be part of the DAR and still maintain family and professional/working responsibilities. Rufus Fairbanks Chapter was organized on February 4, 1982. Our founding members were Virginia King, Helen Durrett, Doris Sheffer, Mary Keith, Nancy Sokoll, Susan Sokoll, Norma Lindermann, Carole Muir, Nancy Taylor, Robbie Watkins, and organizing regent, Dr. Elaine Fairbanks Stone.

The namesake of the Rufus Fairbanks Chapter, Satellite Beach, Florida, was a patriot ancestor of the chapter’s organizing regent. Rufus Fairbanks descended from Jonathan Fairbanks, who was the founding member, and sailed to the American colonies. By 1630 Jonathan Fairbanks had built his house in Dedham, Massachusetts, outside of Boston. The oldest frame house in America, the home is filled with antiques donated by various members of the Fairbanks family, www.fairbankshouse.org.

As the chapter grew, our energetic, entrepreneurial organizing regent, Dr. Elaine Fairbanks Stone, found a place for the chapter to expand beyond Satellite Beach and into the Brevard County community as a whole. Keeping in mind the purpose of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Doctor Stone began a cable television program and titled it Focus on History. The program was a weekly thirty-minute show where Doctor Stone interviewed prominent guests and discussed history. Community activities and events were featured and the DAR became well known throughout the Brevard community. Although the program is no longer on the air, the Rufus Fairbanks Chapter of the NSDAR continues to be involved in the community. Such events as the Massing of the Colors on Veterans Day, the Memorial Day parade, and the annual recognition of the last naval battle of the Revolutionary War each March are but a few of community activities in which our chapter participates. Currently the chapter has many members who are working women with families, as well as retirees and associate members.