Guide to the Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club Collection
Creator:
Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club
Identifier/Call Number: URB.HDMMC
Extent:
0.42 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1928-1977
Date (bulk): 1928-1958
Abstract: The Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club
and all DeMolay Mother's Club Circles have their roots in the Masonic Temple Order. Largely
philanthropic in nature, the Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club raised funds in a variety of
ways, most notably through donations, endowments, baked cake/gift raffles, and 'bunko'
parties throughout the year. Within the Masonic Order, donations were made for families in
need, as well as for happier occasions such as weddings and births. The collection consists
primarily of administrative records, minutes of meetings, correspondence and donation
records.
Language of Material: English
Historical Note:
The Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club and all DeMolay Mother's Club Circles have their roots
in the Masonic Temple Order. Mothers of sons who become DeMolay members are "automatically"
members of any Masonic Mother's chapter. The Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club by-laws of
1928 assert that, "the object of this club shall be to raise funds to help the DeMolay boys
purchase paraphernalia and equipment used in their order." Each temple had a Mother's club,
and the Mother's clubs were organized into larger "circles."
Los Angeles and its environs had approximately thirty-seven Mother's clubs within its
Grand Council of Mothers Circles. Officers were elected every four months and could serve
once in any one position. The Hollenbeck area of Los Angeles is near Evergreen and Chicago
avenues in the Boyle Heights district just east of downtown. Many of the earliest members
had addresses on these very streets. Today, the Mother's Clubs have become Parents Clubs and
combine the dual energies of parents to "cooperate with and assist the Advisory Council of
the Chapter in promoting the growth of the Chapter and its members, and to serve the Chapter
and strengthen the interest of each member in DeMolay." In addition, the responsibilities
have grown as members now take on transportation roles for members who do not have cars or
are unable to drive to meetings. While the Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club disbanded around
1977, DeMolay Parent's Clubs still flourish in Southern California and other parts of the
United States.
Largely philanthropic in nature, the Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club raised funds in a
variety of ways, most notably through donations, endowments, baked cake/gift raffles, and
'bunko' parties throughout the year. Within the Masonic Order, donations were made for
families in need, as well as for happier occasions such as weddings and births. The Mothers
also kept in good order the robes used for installation of Masonic officers and the Master
Councilor. They were in charge of securing and maintaining the building's fire insurance on
which this regalia is listed as worth $297.00. The Mothers provided the legwork for many
different functions and refreshments for all of the ceremonies within the Masonic Temple.
Furthermore, the Mothers donated yearly to the Masonic Homes Endowment Fund which provided
for the residence and education of boys. The Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club provided funds
for needy children to attend camp and on one rare occasion, donated blood for the care of a
hospitalized member. The Mothers met at the home of one of its members, who provided
refreshments, and where they conducted business and socialized. Today, no De Molay Mother's
Club is registered within the Los Angeles area, but there are many chapters in other areas
such as Orange County.
Scope and Contents
The
Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club Collection consists
primarily of administrative records, minutes of meetings, correspondence and donation
records. Much of the material is in handwritten form, including the amendments to the
by-laws, which is unusual, even for an organization with limited funding, such as this one.
The correspondence and Treasurer's Records give an idea of the type of philanthropy the
Mother's Club pursued during its tenure from 1928-1977. The collection is comprised of a
single series containing loose papers and ledger books with hand written credits and debits
which outline the revenues and philanthropic/social expenditures. Administrative Records
contain member lists, minutes, and the workings of the DeMolay Mother's Club meetings. In
addition, this series holds the letters written on behalf of DeMolay and the letters
received in return.
General
Other Information:
Processing staff for this collection were supported by a generous gift from the J. Paul
Getty Trust.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Community Service Organization, 1998.
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Robert G. Marshall and Elizabeth Gilmartin, July 2002
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Box 1, Folder 1
Accounts Ledger,
December 1939-April 1946
Box 1, Folder 2
Attendance Ledger,
November 1928-January 1942
Box 1, Folder 3
Attendance Record,
1949-1952
Box 1, Folder 16
Financial Records: Bank Statements,
1947
Box 1, Folder 17
Financial Records: Bank Statements,
1948
Box 1, Folder 18
Financial Records: Bank Statements,
1949
Box 1, Folder 19
Financial Records: Dues,
1977
Box 1, Folder 21
Fire Insurance: Policy,
1950 February 28
Box 1, Folder 22
Fire Insurance: Policy,
1951 March 30
Box 1, Folder 23
Grand Council of Mothers' Circles: Constitution,
ca. 1949
Box 1, Folder 24
Grand Council of Mothers' Circles: Correspondence,
1949
Box 1, Folder 25
Grand Council of Mothers' Circles: Correspondence,
1950 February 2
Box 1, Folder 26
Membership List,
ca. 1939/1940
Box 1, Folder 27
Membership List,
1950 April 27
Box 1, Folder 33
Regular Membership Meetings: Minute Book,
November 1928-October 1929
Box 1, Folder 34
Regular Membership Meetings: Minute Book,
November 1929-October 1931
Box 1, Folder 35
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
1931 November-1931 December
Box 1, Folder 36
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1932-December 1932
Box 1, Folder 37
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1933-December 1933
Box 1, Folder 38
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1934-December 1934
Box 1, Folder 39
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1935-December 1935
Box 1, Folder 40
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1936-December 1936
Box 1, Folder 41
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1937-December 1937
Box 1, Folder 42
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1938-December 1938
Box 1, Folder 43
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1939-December 1939
Box 1, Folder 44
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1940-December 1940
Box 1, Folder 45
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1941-December 1941
Box 1, Folder 46
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1942-December 1942
Box 1, Folder 47
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1943-December 1943
Box 1, Folder 48
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1944-December 1944
Box 1, Folder 49
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1945-December 1945
Box 1, Folder 50
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1946-December 1946
Box 1, Folder 51
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1947-December 1947
Box 1, Folder 52
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1948-December 1948
Box 1, Folder 53
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1949-December 1949
Box 1, Folder 54
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1950-December 1950
Box 1, Folder 55
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
March 1951-December 1951
Box 1, Folder 56
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
January 1952-December 1952
Box 1, Folder 57
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
April 1953
Box 1, Folder 58
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
March 1954-June 1954
Box 1, Folder 59
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
February 1955-August 1955
Box 1, Folder 60
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
May 1956; September 1956
Box 1, Folder 61
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
February 1957; April 1957
Box 1, Folder 62
Regular Membership Meetings: Minutes,
October 1958
