Fraternal organizations of Brooklyn collection
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Fraternal organizations of Brooklyn collection includes material from chapters and lodges of ten fraternal organizations based in Brooklyn. Items in the collection include constitutions, bylaws, meeting proceedings, event programs, reports, newsletters, research journals, yearbooks, member lists, lodge rosters, and lodge directories.
Historical note
Fraternal organizations have existed in New York City as early as 1730, when the first group of Freemasons organized in Manhattan. Generally, these organizations provided social opportunities for members as well as group benefits in the case of death or disability. Organizations attracted members based on religious, ethnic, and national origin. In addition to the Masons, groups such as the Order of the Eastern Star (for female members), Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (founded in New York City in 1866), and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (founded in New York City in 1870 by former Masons) were also active in Brooklyn.
The Free and Accepted Masons were by far the most active fraternal organization in New York City and Brooklyn, with over 350 lodges in 1929. However, the Great Depression marked a downturn in membership for fraternal organizations, and by 1990, 186 Masonic lodges remained in the city.
Sources
- Ferris, Marc. "Fraternal organizations." In The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed. Kenneth T. Jackson, 436-437. New Haven: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 1995.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into series alphabetically by organization name. Within each series, materials are arranged alphabetically by chapter name.
Scope and Contents
The Fraternal organizations of Brooklyn collection includes material from chapters and lodges of ten fraternal organizations based in Brooklyn, including the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights Templar, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Sons of St. George, Royal Arcanum, Royal Arch Masons, and Scottish Rite Masons. There are also two lodges represented in the collection from Queens and Long Island. Items in the collection include constitutions, by-laws, meeting proceedings, event programs, reports, newsletters, research journals, yearbooks, member lists, lodge rosters, and lodge directories.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Fraternal organizations of Brooklyn collection, ARC.147, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Portions of this collection were gifts of the Charles A. Brockaway Estate, George T. Hammon, George R. Kerr, Henry S. Gorham, and Edwin Selvage, dates unknown. The 1910 anniversary booklet for the Zaredatha Lodge was the gift of Edward Biggio, date unknown. The 1872-1876 meeting minutes for the Order of the Eastern Star were the gift of Peter A. White, 2022 (CBH accession 2022.016). These are noted at the file level. Source and date of acquisition for remaining items in the collection are unknown.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Originally minimally processed to the collection level, this collection was reprocessed to the file level in May 2023 by Dee Bowers. As part of that reprocessing, CBH accession 2022.016 was added to the collection.
Sponsor Note
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series 1: Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
Kismet Temple, 1937-1939, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Ceremonial programs, trustees' reports, annual meeting program.
Series 2: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Brooklyn Lodge No. 22, 1904, 1916, 1918, 1930, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Roster, memorial service, and flyers.
Series 3: Free and Accepted Masons
Altair Lodge No. 601, 1897
Scope and Contents
By-laws and list of members.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by the Charles A. Brockaway Estate through H.P. Nash, date unknown.
American Lodge of Research, 1930-1939, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"Transactions" publication.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by George T. Hammond, date unknown.
Anglo-Saxon Lodge No. 137, 1938
Scope and Contents
Ninetieth anniversary book.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by Harry E. Stam, date unknown.
Anthon Lodge No. 769, 1894
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Aranthus Lodge No. 719, 1942
Scope and Contents
Event program.
Blue Lodge and Masters Directory, 1928-1938, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Directory of all masonic bodies in the metropolitan district, published by Masonic Guide Co.
Brooklyn Council No. 4, 1904
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Brooklyn Masonic Guild, 1930
Scope and Contents
Blue Book.
Brooklyn Masonic Veterans, 1894-1946, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Historical Report, 1888-1894; By-laws, 1903; The Old-Timer newsletter, 1932-1946.
Commonwealth Lodge No. 409, 1880-1936, inclusive
Scope and Contents
By-laws, 1880, 1891, 1898, 1904; Yearbook, 1899; Newsletter, September-December 1936.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
1880, 1891, 1904 by-laws presented to the Long Island Historical Society by Edwin Selvage; 1898 by-laws and 1899 yearbook presented by George R. Kerr, dates unknown.
Covenant Lodge No. 758, circa 1905
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Grand Lodge in the State of New York, 1995, 1997, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Masonic Library annual reports.
Hyatt Lodge No. 205, 1870, 1900, 1917, inclusive
Scope and Contents
By-laws, 1880 and 1917; yearbook, 1900.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
1900 yearbook presented by George R. Kerr; 1917 by-laws from Henry S. Gorham.
Jamaica Lodge No. 546, 1867
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Long Island Lodge No. 382, 1912
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by Edwin Selvage, date unknown.
Marsh Lodge No. 188, 1898
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by George R. Kerr, date unknown.
Masonic Historical Society of New York, 1906-1910, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Masonic Monthly research journal, Vols. 1-3.
Oltmans Lodge No. 446, 1900
Scope and Contents
Booklet with member list.
Stella Lodge No. 485, 1863
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Sterling Lodge No. 817, 1911
Scope and Contents
Member list.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by Edwin Selvage, date unknown.
Zaredatha Lodge No. 483, 1910
Scope and Contents
Fiftieth anniversary booklet, including photographic prints.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Edward Biggio.
Series 4: Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New York State
Brooklyn Lodge No. 26, 1843, 1845, inclusive
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Magnolia Lodge No. 166, 1845
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Steuben Lodge No. 133, 1920-1938, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Rosters, 1920, 1933, 1935; combined roster, 1938, also includes Hannover Lodge No. 359, Lady Werder Rebekah Lodge No. 281, Roland Encampment No. 91, United Sisters Rebekah Lodge No. 59, and Werder Lodge No. 594.
Series 5: Knights Templar
Clinton Commandery No. 14 and Damascus Commandery No. 58, 1887, 1895, 1909, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Event program, 1887; by-laws, 1895 and 1909.
Series 6: Order of the Eastern Star
Esther Chapter No. 2, circa 1902
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Fort Greene Chapter No. 701, 1946
Scope and Contents
County fair program.
Miriam Chapter No. 120, 1902
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Pleiades Chapter No. 205, circa 1901
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Stella Chapter No. 29, 1872-1911, inclusive
Scope and Contents
By-laws, 1898, 1911; Roster, 1905; Meeting minutes, 1872-1876.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
1898 by-laws presented to the Long Island Historical Society by Edwin Selvage, date unknown. 1872-1876 meeting minutes gift of Peter A. White, 2022.
Series 7: Order of the Sons of St. George
Grand Lodge of the State of New York, 1890-1900, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Constitution, 1890; Proceedings, 1891, 1899, 1900.
Series 8: Royal Arcanum
General Putnam Council No. 1446, 1902-1904, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The Putnamite newsletter.
Series 9: Royal Arch Masons
Brooklyn Chapter No. 148, 1878
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Orient Chapter No. 138, 1894
Scope and Contents
By-laws.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented to the Long Island Historical Society by George R. Kerr, date unknown.
Series 10: Scottish Rite Masons
Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, 1916, 1940, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Fiftieth anniversary booklet, 1916; Reunion programs, 1916 and 1940.
