Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine

    Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. Shriners International supports Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.  Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children® and receive all services regardless of the patients' ability to pay.

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain

     The AOKMC was founded in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1870. It is believed to have formed as a splinter group to the Knights of Pythias.  Though it seems to have been quite popular in PA, it doesn’t seem to have made much headway outside of that state.  Like most small orders, it did not survive the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Virtually all jewels, medals, and pins from this order seem to be found in Pennsylvania.

 (contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Benevolent Order of Scottish Clans

The Order of Scottish Clans was a fraternal and benevolent society founded in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 30, 1878. The dual purpose of the Order was to provide life and disability insurance to Scottish immigrants and their descendants, and also to preserve the culture and traditions of Scotland among Americans of Scottish ancestry.

 (contributed by Bill Klauk)

Benevolent Protective Order of Elks

A fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 141-year history, a generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more. Our Mission - To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Boy Scouts of America

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Clergy

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Beulah White)

Daughters of America

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

Daughters of American Colonist

The object of this Society shall be Patriotic, Historical and Educational; to make research as to the history and deeds of the American colonist and to record and publish the same; to commemorate deeds of colonial interest; to inculcate and foster love of America and its institutions by all its residents; to obey its laws and venerate its flag—the emblem of its power and civic righteousness.

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Fire Department/Ambulance

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Diann Olsen and Lynn Canterbury)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Doreen Good)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Elissa Scalise Powell)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Diann Olsen and Lynn Canterbury)

Fraternal Order of Police

The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

Free Masons

True Masonic ritual, as it always was intended to do, teaches the great lessons of life: the importance of honor and integrity, of being a person on whom others can rely, of being both trusting and trustworthy, of realizing that you have a spiritual nature as well as a physical nature, of the importance of self control, of knowing how to love and be loved, of knowing how to keep confidential what others tell you so that they can "open up" without fear. In short, Masonic ritual teaches us to reach for a higher standard in conducting our lives.
     Freemasonry has sometimes been referred to as a "secret society." This is an inaccurate statement. Freemasons certainly don't make a secret of the fact that they are members of their Lodges. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compasses, the best-known of Masonic signs that, logically, recall our early symbolic roots in stonemasonry. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and usually listed in the phone book. The only thing that could be referred to as "secret" -- although we prefer the word "private" -- are the methods of recognition such as grips, words, signs, and our ritual by which we induct new members.
     Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide social and community service organization, emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700's, it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Mark Master 4th Degree of Royal Arch Masonry, York rite

Here the Right Worshipful Master calls the candidate's attention to the keystone before him, by pointing out to him the initials on the stone, which he is informed read as follows:--
HIRAM, TYRIAN, WIDOW'S SON, SENDETH TO KING SOLOMON."
(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

  The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry

   The National Grange is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization. Its provides service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. It was formed in the years following the American Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation's farm population. The Grange is also a fraternal order known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, hence the "P of H" on the organization's logo.

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Improved Order of Heptosophs

The original Order of Heptasophs was founded in 1852 which marks it as one of the country’s earliest fraternal orders. According to Axelrod, there may have been predecessor organizations dating back as far as 1837. The name is derived from Latin roots meaning seven and wise and is generally interpreted to mean seven wise men.  The Improved Order of Heptasophs split off from the original order in 1878. The cause of the split was a disagreement over whether the order should offer life insurance. Fraternal orders in the late 1800’s were increasingly involved in the life insurance business—their members demanded it—and the IOH reflected that trend. Like most fraternal life insurance societies, the IOH would gradually become less of a fraternity and more of an insurance company and would lose its fraternal identity in a series of mergers with other insurance companies beginning in 1917.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Improved Order of Red Men

     The fraternity traces its origins back to 1765 and is descended from the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and liberty in the early Colonies. They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Confederacy and its democratic governing body. Their system, with elected representatives to govern tribal councils, had been in existence for several centuries.
     After the War of 1812 the name was changed to the Society of Red Men and in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men. They kept the customs and terminology of Native Americans as a basic part of the fraternity. The Improved Order of Red Men (IORM) is similar in many ways to other major fraternal organizations in the United States.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - I. O. O. F.

In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows." Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.  The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. Odd Fellowship became the 1st national fraternity to include both men and women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. This degree is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior members and for orphaned children.

(contribute by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contribute by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Elissa Scalise Powell)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Daughters of Rebekah - Female Auxillary to the I. O. O. F

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

Jr. Order United American Mechanics

The United American Mechanics was founded in Philadelphia in 1845 under the name Union of Workers. It began as a nativist workingmen's organization to fight against labor pressure from increasing immigration populations. In 1853 a junior branch of the organization was founded. The Junior Order American Mechanics (J.O.U.A.M.) became an independent society in 1885. Its members were white males, between the ages of 16 and 50, of good moral character, believers in the existence of a Supreme Being, in favor of separation of church and state, and supporters of free education through the Public School System. The word "Junior" in the organization's name had no reference to the age of its members after 1885 and similarly, the word "Mechanic" had no relevance to the members' occupations. The Junior Order defined its objectives as promoting the interests of Americans by shielding them from the economically depressing effects of foreign competition, establishing a Sick and Funeral Fund and working to maintain the Public School System.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Rich Boyer)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Knights of Columbus

On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Knights of the Golden Eagles

John Emory Burbage founded the Knights of the Golden Eagle in the city of Baltimore, MD, February 6, 1873. It was founded with the objective of cultivating the social, moral and intellectual feelings of its members and promoting their welfare in all walks of life; providing kindness, relief against the trials and distress attendant upon death and sickness, to aid the members of the order who are out of work, to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Knights of Malta

The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (to give their full name) were formed long before their reign on Malta. The Order was originally established in 1085 as a community of monks responsible for looking after the sick at the Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem. They later became a military order, defending crusader territory in the Holy Lands and safeguarding the perilous routes taken by medieval pilgrims. The Knights were drawn exclusively from noble families and the Order acquired vast wealth from those it recruited. The Knights came to Malta in 1530, having been ejected from their earlier home on Rhodes by the Turks in 1522. Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, gave them the choice of Malta or Tripoli as a new base. Having chosen Malta, the Knights stayed for 268 years, transforming what they called 'merely a rock of soft sandstone' into a flourishing island with mighty defences and a capital city coveted by the great powers of Europe.  In 1834, the Order established a new headquarters in Rome.   The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, better known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), is a Roman Catholic religious order. Its sovereign status is recognized by membership in numerous international bodies and observer status at the United Nations and others. The Order maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 100 countries, with numerous ambassadors. It issues its own passports, currency, stamps and even vehicle registration plates. The Grand Master of the Order serves as a Papal Viceroy, providing Vatican diplomats with procedural support for making motions, proposing amendments and requiring votes in the sphere of international diplomacy.  Its claim to sovereign status is disputed by some

(contributed by Bill Plack)

In Hoc Signo Vinces - In This Sign you will Conquer

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack

Knights of Pythias

The Order of Knights of Pythias is a great international fraternity which was founded in Washington, DC, February 19, 1864, by Justus H. Rathbone, and embraces more than two thousand subordinate lodges in the United States and Canada, with occasional lodges having been formed elsewhere. The primary object of fraternal organizations is to promote friendship among men and to relieve suffering. Each organization adopts some outstanding principle as its objective. The individuality of an order is determined by its ideal sentiment. The distinguishing principles of the Order of Knights of Pythias are "FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY and BENEVOLENCE".   It bases its lessons and builds it ritual largely on the familiar story of the friendship of Damon and Pythias, who were historical characters living about four hundred or more years before the beginning of the Christian era.

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels

Knights of St. John

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

Labor Unions

(contributed by Diann Olsen and Lynn Canterbury)

(contribute by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

  Loyal Order of Moose

The Loyal Order of Moose is a fraternal and service organization founded in 1888, with nearly 800,000 men in roughly 1,800 Lodges, in all 50 states and four Canadian provinces, plus Great Britain and Bermuda. Along with other units of Moose International, the Loyal Order of Moose supports the operation of Mooseheart Child City & School , a 1,000-acre community for children and teens in need, located 40 miles west of Chicago; and Moosehaven , a 70-acre retirement community for its members near Jacksonville, FL. Additionally, Moose Lodges conduct approximately $50 million worth of community service (counting monetary donations and volunteer hours worked) annually. Additionally, the Loyal Order of Moose conducts numerous sports and recreational programs, in local Lodges and Family Centers in the majority of 44 State and Provincial Associations, and on a fraternity-wide basis.

(contribute by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Doreen Good)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Maccabees

Variously known as the Knights (and Ladies) of the Maccabees, Maccabees of the World, Macabees, Women’s Benefit Association.  The Knights of the Maccabees were a fraternal and benevolent "legal reserve society." Families of deceased members received benefits in the form of legal-reserve insurance. All white persons of sound health and good character, from birth to 70 years of age, were eligible for membership. Their name comes from the Biblical Maccabees. The order was founded in London, Ontario in 1878 and reorganized in 1883. Before 1914, it was known as the Knights of the Maccabees. Subsequent to 1914, it has been simply been called "The Maccabees". The insurance aspect of the fraternity has always been paramount. Its fraternal aspect drew on the exploits of the Jewish military genius Judas Maccabeus. The Knights of the Modern Maccabees and The Maccabees of the World have since consolidated and were known simply as the Maccabees. Their fraternalism activities ceased to exist in 1962 when they became a life insurance company.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Order of Independent Americans

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

  Order of the Eastern Star

What It Is: The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong. Worldwide, there are approximately 1 million members under the General Grand Chapter.  Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values, but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work.

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

Patriotic Order of Americans

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

  Patriotic Order of Sons of America

The Patriotic Order Sons of America was organized December 10, 1847 to preserve the Public School System, The Constitution of the United Sates and our American way of life. It was incorporated by an Act of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, February 27, 1867. The Objectives of the Order are embodied within its Platform of Principles, and are essentially: to inculcate pure American Principles; to teach loyalty to American Institutions; to cultivate fraternal affection; to oppose foreign interference in State or National Affairs; to oppose all appropriations of public moneys for Sectarian Purposes; to maintain and support the Constitution of the United States of America; to defend and maintain the American System of Public Schools; to defend the rights of Men and Armed Forces; to work as America's foremost Civilian Patriotic Organization in combating foreign propaganda and in preventing our participation in future foreign wars; to work for an adequate Army, Navy and Air Force, which will command respect of foreign nations and prevent future war.

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol / Pennsylvania State Police

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Klauk)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Railroad Workers

(contributed by Bill Plack)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Bill Plack)

Rotary International

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

(contribute by Ellis Michaels)

Woodmen of the World

for more information on W. O. W., please visit
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/tscarvers/woodmen/woodmen.htm

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

Unidentified

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)

(contributed by Ellis Michaels)