IOOF Rebekah Lodge – Lethbridge Branch fonds
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/link/descriptions79622
- Date Range
- 1900-1994
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession No.
- 20121073
- Physical Description
- 19 Minute Books and administrative records
- Scope and Content
- FILE LIST 2012.1073/001 Correspondence and Pamphlet from IOOF donation 2012.1073/002 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1914-18 2012.1073/003 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1918-22 2012.1073/004 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1922-26 2012.1073/005 Minute Book – Dom…
- Date Range
- 1900-1994
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 19 Minute Books and administrative records
- History Biographical
- The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs “To Improve and Elevate the Character of Mankind…” The IOOF was begun in the 1700’s in England, and the oldest existing record of a meeting of the Odd Fellows dates to 1748 and took place in the Globe Tavern in England. Some people believe that the Odd Fellows may have origins dating back to the Roman occupation of England, as Romans living in the area were referred to as “Fellow Citizens.” Another possible origin may be from The Ancient Order of the Bucks, a fraternal organisation already in existence in England at the time with similar symbolism and ideals. During the 18th century in Europe, it was a strange occurrence to find benevolent people and societies dedicated to the helping those in need and pursuing projects for the betterment of all people. Persons affiliated with such an organization were referred to as “Odd Fellows.” It is believed that this is a possible explanation for how the society was named, although there is another explanation that the Brotherhoods were made up of men from various or odd trades, as opposed to larger single-trade organisations such as the Masons. The IOOF website claims that the origin of the fraternity name is unknown. Odd Fellows are also known as “The Three Link Fraternity,“ the three links representing Friendship, Love, and Truth. Rebekah Degrees were first awarded to wives or daughters of Odd Fellow members, but Rebekahs later became established Lodges themselves, becoming the women’s branch of the Odd Fellow Fraternity. Rebekah Lodges eventually accepted both female and male membership. The first Rebekah Lodge was established in Bloomfield, Iowa in 1868. According to this research, the Lethbridge Willow Branch Rebekah Lodge may have been the first Rebekah Lodge in Alberta, holding its first meeting on October 26, 1900. The next oldest recorded establishment is the Grand Lodge of Alberta in 1905. The first meeting of the Rebekah Lodge in Lethbridge was on October 26, 1900 for the purpose of nominating officers to the newly appointed order. This was to become the Willow Branch Rebekah Lodge #2 in Lethbridge. Present were Brothers Oliver, Pipes, Henderson (treasurer), R. Niveu, R.Scott, Bolderson (chaplain), John Scott (secretary). On the second meeting of the Willow Branch Lodge, the following candidates were installed into the Rebekah Degree: Maggie Davis, Laura Davis, E.J. Fleetwood, Mary Stafford, John Stafford, D.C. Murray, and D. Keane.On the third meeting of the Lodge, the following officers were installed: Oliver (Warden), Pipes (Conductor), G. Kerr (Inside Guardian), Davies (Outside Guardian). Although uncertain, it is thought that the Willow Branch Lodge amalgamated with the Dominion Rebekah Lodge. Both the Willow Branch Lodge, and later, the Dominion Rebekah Lodge functioned largely as community support and social groups. They organized community gatherings such as dances and celebrations, visited the sick in hospitals and homes, and sent condolences and cared for the families who had lost loved ones. With the establishment of the Dominion Rebekah Lodge on July 1, 1914, the following women and men were Charter Members installed into the order by Sister Morden, Past President of the Rebekah Assembly of Alberta, and assisted by Sister Anne Maxwell and Sister A. Morden Jr: - Sisters Agnes A. While, Edna J. Gowin, Anna A. Skinner, Maude M. Bradshaw, Margaret L. Maxwell, Maud C. Cudoba, Hatlie(?) Sinclair, Lina Kanneman, Annie Smith, Annie Maxwell, Edna Stibbs, Annie Morden Jr.; Brothers H.S. While, R.B. Morden, Harry Skinner, W.B. Burnett, S.H. Smith, (?) Stibbs, David F. Kanneman, and Grant Gowin. Today, the Odd Fellows are an international fraternal Order, with over 10,000 lodges in 25 countries. They involve themselves in local, national, and global civic and philanthropic efforts such as funding relief projects and loans and bursaries for students, planting trees and environmental aid as part of their Living Legacy campaign, and funding for housing projects to name just a few. External Resources: Glenbow Museum: - http://ww2.glenbow.org - www.glenbow.org/collections/search/findingAids.archhtm/odd.cfm Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs: - www.ioof.org - www.oddfellowsalberta.com - www.rebekahsofidaho.org/history.htm Wikipedia - http://en/wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rebekah_Degree_of_Odd_Fellowship_1898.jpg - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows - http://en/wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Rebekah_Assemblies
- Language
- English
- Scope and Content
- FILE LIST 2012.1073/001 Correspondence and Pamphlet from IOOF donation 2012.1073/002 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1914-18 2012.1073/003 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1918-22 2012.1073/004 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1922-26 2012.1073/005 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1926-30 2012.1073/006 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1930-33 2012.1073/007 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1933-36 2012.1073/008 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1937-40 2012.1073/009 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1941-44 2012.1073/010 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1944-47 2012.1073/011 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1947-51 2012.1073/012 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1951-53 2012.1073/013 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1953-55 2012.1073/014 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1955-57 2012.1073/015 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1958-56 2012.1073/016 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1965-68 2012.1073/017 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1969-72 2012.1073/018 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1972-77 2012.1073/019 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1982-88 2012.1073/020 Minute Book – Dominion Rebekah Lodge #41, 1988-94 2012.1073/021 Minute Book – Willow Branch Rebekah Lodge #2, 1900-09
- Accession No.
- 20121073
- Collection
- Archive
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