Bitter Root Chapter was officially organized May 17, 1919, in Missoula by Organizing Regent Miss Finetta W. Ewing. The name Bitter Root was chosen for three reasons: 1) Every spring the valley is covered with the pink bitterroot blossoms, 2) the Bitter Root Mountain Range of the Rockies stands as the guardian to the west, and 3) the Bitter Root River slips through en route to the Pacific.

("Bitterroot" is now generally written as one word, but the Chapter retains the original spelling of two words). The state flower commonly known as the bitterroot was first described and recorded botanically by Captain Meriwether Lewis during the Lewis & Clark Expedition and its genus, Lewisia rediviva, derives from Lewis' name.

Three State Regents have come from Bitter Root Chapter: Ethel Keith, Bleth Dobson, and Louanna Butler. In 1990 Andrea Phillip was Montana Outstanding Junior and was also named the Northwestern Division Winner.

The chapter has approximately 65 members, and always needs more. Several members are excellent genealogists and they are very willing and able to help anyone interested in tracing their ancestors and joining the Chapter.

For information contact the Chapter Regent.

Last updated 11/09/2006; Montana Daughters of the American Revolution.