Maryland Division United Daughters of the Confederacy®
Founding
In May 1895, the Maryland Division became one of the first to join the National Organization known as the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Even before that time, our Maryland women were actively working, not long after the War ended, supporting needy Confederate Veterans, widows, and orphans, raising funds and decorating their graves. They were then known as the “Ladies Memorial Association of Maryland.”
The Maryland Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy is one of the 10 oldest Divisions within the General Organization. The first President of this Division was Mrs. D. Girard Wright (1896-1897), who simultaneously served as the First Vice President General in our National Organization; she was a member of Baltimore Chapter No. 8.
Activities
Lee Jackson Day – in January, Division members attend a celebration of Lee-Jackson Day to commemorate these Confederate Generals.
Confederate Memorial Day – Our ladies began participating in Confederate Memorial Day ceremonies in 1873, long before the UDC was formed, and they continue to gather on Confederate Hill at Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore in June. Chapter members bestow floral tributes on graves, sing, and enjoy refreshments.
Confederate Decoration Day – Members of the Fitzhugh Lee Chapter co-sponsor with the Trimble Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans a Confederate Decoration Day ceremony during April in the Confederate section of historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD.
In 1906, a wealthy Confederate Veteran, Mr. James R. Wheeler, founded the Confederate Women’s Home on Linden Avenue in Baltimore. The UDC ladies of Baltimore Chapter No. 8 and “later” the James R. Wheeler No.1859 organized the women’s Board for the home and supervised the day-to-day care of the residents, including medical needs, a cleaning lady, food, clothing, and fuel. A final resting place in Loudon Park Cemetery’s Bethel section was also provided for the residents at their death.
Our current benevolent activities include contributions to local charities that support U.S. military veterans, sick children, food banks and soup kitchens, animal welfare, and historical preservation.
Our educational activities include a Division Scholarship program, which, for a division of our size, is without parallel, awarding thousands of dollars in college scholarships to eligible Confederate descendants each year. Many of our Chapters also donate War Between the States history books to local school libraries.