The Daughters of Dakota Pioneers began in February 1934 as the Fargo Chapter of the Pioneer Daughters of North Dakota.  The organization's objectives were to honor the memory and spirit of the women pioneers in North Dakota, to perpetuate and preserve the history of North Dakota and to promote interest in the resources and activities of North Dakota.  Alita McArdle Minard was the organization's first president.  The organization's interest in local history led to the founding of the Cass County Historical Society in 1954.  The goal of perpetuating and preserving history led to the establishment of a museum.  Located first in the Emerson Smith School in Fargo, the museum eventually moved to Minard Hall on the NDSU campus.  In 1954, the artifacts were turned over to the newly formed Cass County Historical Society.

The Daughters of Dakota Pioneers records chronicle the activities of the organization.  The meeting minutes covers the period 1966-1995 and are virtually complete.  The Yearbooks Series contain most of the organization's yearbooks from 1955 until 1998.  The yearbooks differ between years but they generally contain the organization's objectives, creed and hymn, membership eligibility, list of officers, committee members, and past presidents.  The collection also contains financial records as well as four scrapbooks documenting the clubs events. 
 

Local and Ethnic History  Women's Organizations