fraternalamerica

Mission is to research, compile and analyze information on the membership, heritage, symbolism, ritual & history of American ritual based volunteer associations

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Save the Wallace Collection Library and Archive - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/UUxtmyvMLv via @Change

[Shriners International @shriners]

The Editorial Without Words statue outside of Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners fraternity buildings is an iconic symbol of the fraternity and it’s dedication to Shriners Hospitals. Did you know the statue is based on a news photo? 🔗 https://t.co/4djXWchxvf

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

The colloquialism "black ball," as in "I'm going to black ball him" comes from fraternal organizations. Most groups used a ballot box like the one shown. Members would secretly select a ball, with white being in favor and black being against. #fraternity #history #ballotbox

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

United Commercial Travelers was created for traveling salesmen, who were often unable to participate in regular Lodge activities. Shown here are jewels from the group, even a past presiding officer jewel from their branch called the "Ancient Mystic Order of Bagmen of Bagdad."

[Dr Lionel Urquhart 77Para @LionelUrquhart]

My new medal. Past Provincial Grand Corvid Survivor.
@StuartHarker1 @SurreyMason

[Shriners International @shriners]

Later this week, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the photograph that inspired the iconic Editorial Without Words statue seen at fraternity buildings and at @shrinershosp locations. Learn the story of the photo: https://t.co/XNNJRntgRL

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Fraternal orders have long been interwoven in American popular culture. In the 1950s it was "The Honeymooners" The Racoons, in the 1960s it was The Flintstones' Loyal Order of Water Buffalos" and in the 1970s it was "Happy Days" and the Leopards. #flintstones #lodge #grandpoobah

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

This artifact features Odd Fellows, the Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Book & Garden Club, & Mens Civic Club digitized by Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum. Booker T. Washington is in the Men's Club image, center row with a flower in his lapel. #fraternity #freemasons

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

The Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoo was founded on January 21, 1892 at Gurdon, Arkansas by six men who had relations to the timber industry. 🌲 #hoohoo #concatenatedorderofhoohoo #fraternity #ritual #regalia #archival #specialcollections

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Trivets were once commonly found in kitchens. They made a practical gift that could be used in the home, so it was natural for the symbolism of fraternal organizations to start showing up in their designs. Here we see an Independent Order of Odd Fellows trivet. #ioof #oddfellows

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

One of the most significant books of the early 90s is Prof. Mark Carnes' "Secret Ritual and Manhood in Victorian America." We highly recommend it. (Yale Univ Press, 1991) 📚 Stay tuned for many additional thoughtful recommendations... #ritual #fraternity #secret #lodge #books

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Along with printed rituals, the best insight into the lost history of fraternal orders are Regalia Supply catalogs. Between 1870 and 1930 dozens of manufacturing firms supplied thousands of retail stores and millions of mail-order fraternal customers.
#regalia #oddfellows #ioof

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Pictured here is the Native Daughters of the Golden West Castro Drill team, in costume with swords, holding a loving cup at California's Diamond Jubilee in 1925. #nativedaughtersofthegoldenwest #vintage #archival #specialcollections #fraternity

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

The Native Sons of the Golden West was founded in 1875, limited to native born Californians. Organized locally into "Parlors," is best known for the large number of commemorative markers it has placed throughout the state. (Pictured here is a picnic held in 1914.) #California

[Kent Museum of Freemasonry @KentMasonMuseum]

Did you know that we also have an Instagram page?

[Ask Solomon @SolomonUGLE]

🖼️✏️ Do you know the origin of #Masonic Tracing Boards? Find out how the use of pictures to communicate ideas and meaning came about in the #paper here ➡️ https://t.co/TK4L2pKORm #DailyAdvancement #MasonicKnowledge #Freemasons

[Sons and Daughters of Italy (OSDIA) @Sons_of_Italy]

Did you miss yesterday's interview with the hilarious @Johnnyd23?

Catch the full episode here: https://t.co/ETMyWMpcjM

#OSDIA #SonsOfItaly #ItalianAmerican #ItalianHeritage #ItaloAmericano #Italian #Italiano #Italy #Italia #OSDIAInterviewsLive #JohnDiDomenico

[Currents News Is Moving To @tabletnewspaper on X @CurrentsNews]

Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to Father Michael McGivney’s intercession, and now the founder of the Knights of Columbus could be on his way to sainthood.
@KofC
https://t.co/9tF5RkZ9Kt

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

Check out the area known as "Fraternity Row" on Washington St. in Binghamton, NY! This postcard from 1940 shows the K of C Hall, Elks Building (with elk statue), Kalurah Shriners and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall with Boy's Club. #fraternity #shriners #elks #eagles #KofC

[fraternalamerica @HSAFraternalism]

The Improved Order of Redmen was founded in 1834, making it one of the oldest fraternal groups in the US. The jewel shown here is a Past Chief's from Pequot Tribe No. 74, dating from 1936. #fraternity #jewel #vintage #specialcollections