La Puerta de Oro-San Francisco Chapter, NSDAR

San Francisco, California

Welcome

San Francisco, The Gateway of Gold

The La Puerta de Oro-San Francisco Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), has been a vital part of San Francisco’s history and community since its founding in 1896. Translated from Spanish, “La Puerta de Oro” means “Gateway of Gold,” the name for the entrance to San Francisco Bay chosen by General John C. Frémont in 1848.

It is with pride and dedication that our chapter members come together to serve our community, strengthen our bonds of friendship, and support one another in our genealogical pursuits. As the Daughters who have come before us, we strive to continue achieving and promoting NSDAR tenets of historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Our chapter also invites you to visit the Arch of Colonial Trees in Golden Gate Park — a grove of trees planted by our chapter and dedicated to the founding of our country, and a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a picnic with friends and family. The grove is located at John F. Kennedy Drive and Stow Lake Drive.

About Us

The Arch of Colonial Trees, Golden Gate Park

On October 19, 1896, the anniversary of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, under the supervision of John McLaren, trees sent from the original thirteen states were planted in Golden Gate Park along the State Tree Walk in the Pioneer Garden by the Sequoia Chapter, NSDAR. The trees were planted in a curved allée 450 feet in length. The idea came from Mrs. Adolphus Hubbard, our first State Regent (1891–93), and Sequoia Chapter member Mrs. Peter Hughes of Pennsylvania. The Daughters added earth from historic sites with a silver trowel, its handle made from the wood of a magnolia tree by George Washington at Mount Vernon.

Chapter Historian Gertrude A. Burnett described the day in 1938: “Sarah Isabelle Hubbard conceived the idea of planting an historic arch in Golden Gate Park. On Yorktown Day, October 19, 1896, our ‘Historic Arch,’ composed of representative trees from historic spots in the thirteen original states of the Union, was planted, in earth taken from famous Revolutionary localities… The trees were planted in the form of a crescent 450 feet in length, with Massachusetts’ elm at the northern end, Georgia’s catalpa at the southern, and Pennsylvania’s cedar in the center to represent the keystone… There were over two thousand persons present. At the foot of the Pennsylvania tree was placed soil from the grave of Lafayette in Cemetery Picpus, Paris, France, and soil from Wakefield, the birthplace of Washington. While the planting was being done, the band played the Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Banner.”

On May 29, 1976, in honor of the Bicentennial, the State Tree Walk was re-dedicated and five of the trees that had not survived were replaced, using soil from important historic sites:

• Rhode Island – soil from the grave of William Ellery, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence
• North Carolina – soil from the grave of Absolom Tatum, Major in the Revolutionary War
• Georgia – soil from the Kettle Creek Battlefield, site of a decisive battle in 1779
• Virginia – soil from Thomas Jefferson’s grave
• Pennsylvania – soil from Valley Forge

The chapter has continued the tradition of restoration in the years since, replanting a Magnolia Grandiflora in 2011 and an Eastern Hemlock in 2012, and holding a rededication ceremony on March 31, 2012, attended by chapter members, state officers, District III members, and honored guests, with a Proclamation from the San Francisco mayor honoring the chapter’s restoration work.

2026 - 2028 Chapter Officers

Our chapter meetings are held in the Civic Center neighborhood, once a month on Saturday afternoons (unless that day falls on a holiday). Meeting programs focus on genealogy, history, fine arts, and fun, along with several social events throughout the year.

Please contact us for more information about our chapter or becoming a member.