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I.O.O.F. Alturas Lodge No. 80 collection of regalia [realia]
MANUSCRIPT 2459
Collection Overview

Title:

I.O.O.F. Alturas Lodge No. 80 collection of regalia

Abstract:

The collection consists of nineteen items of regalia as detailed below. The various styles of draped shawls that comprise the collection are representative of this regalia common to most benevolent societies, including the I.O.O.F. They were worn to indicate rank or function within the organization as indicated by the descriptions associated with specific items. Once a lodge was established it was necessary to acquire these regalia items for use by members during lodge meetings. Thus we find in the Alturas lodge minutes for the months of January through June of 1859, the first year that the lodge existed, an expenditure of almost $450 for regalia of various kinds, including specialized regalia for officers and the chaplain. It is not clear whether the regalia in this collection date from this period or later; however, all of the items show signs of deterioration in both fabric and construction that indicate aging.
SHAWLS: Faded red velvet with silver embroidery and trim; has "No." on the left front and "80" on the right front, identified as Chaplain's(?) shawl; black/dark green velvet with silver embroidery and trim; has "No." on the left front and "80" on the right front, identified as Treasurer's shawl; turquoise velvet with silver embroidery and trim and fringe; has "No." on the left front and "80" on the right front, identified as Grand Master's shawl.
SHAWLS (Identified as Amices): Eight; pink satin (3 1/4 in. wide) with green trim sewn with silver thread and a center rosette, identified as officers sashes; (Identified as Palliums): blue cotton with silver trim and fringe; charcoal (faded black?) cotton with silver trim and fringe; orange cotton with silver trim and fringe; orange cotton with silver trim and embroidered stars, no fringe; two white cotton with silver trim and fringe; white velvet with silver trim and fringe; BELT: Orange cotton knit (3 in. wide) with gilt embroidered trim at center.

Subject:

n-us-ca
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. -- Aluras Lodge No. 80 (La Porte, Calif.) -- Insignia
Insignia -- California

Note:

The Alturas Lodge No. 80 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted on December 8, 1858 at La Porte in Plumas County by James St. Clair Wilson, a charter member of Table Rock Lodge No. 49 at St. Louis in Sierra County. Charter members included Benjamin Wilcox Barnes, Cornelius Laury, Wilber S. Byrne, Charles Lerch, Alexander H. Crew and Harold G.O. Drake. After the first meeting hall was destroyed by fire in 1860 the Lodge set up a building program and built a new hall dedicated in 1861. There the La Porte I.O.O.F. met and conducted business for almost 80 years until the dissolution of the Lodge in April of 1942.
I.O.O.F. Alturas Lodge No. 80 collection of regalia
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

Physical Description:

print
realia
19 items

Language:

English

Identifier:

MANUSCRIPT 2459

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.