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.
