Founded in Washington, D. C. in 1890, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution arose from a desire on the part of women to participate more fully in an upsurge of patriotism during the late nineteenth century. A volunteer service organization, the DAR's mission objectives involve patriotism, preservation of American history, and education. With membership restricted to women who can prove a direct descent from a participant in the American Revolution, the DAR by 2004 encompassed approximately 170,000 members in nearly 2,300 chapters.

The Floyd Courthouse Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Floyd, Virginia on December 23, 1931. Anne Simmons Proffitt served as the first chapter regent. The chapter, with an initial membership of 14, has held regular meetings since its founding, with each meeting featuring a program relating to the DAR's interests in patriotism, historic preservation and education. The chapter has also undertaken various projects to coincide with DAR objectives.