Finding aid to the Bethel Order of the Eastern Star ledger 1924-1926 SFH 655
Finding aid compiled by Katherine Ets-Hokin.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2021
Title: Bethel Order of the Eastern Star ledger
Date (inclusive): 1924-1926
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 655
Creator:
Order of the Eastern Star (Prince Hall Affiliation). Bethel Chapter 31
Physical Description:
1 flat box
(1 Linear Feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The Bethel Order of the Eastern Star (Chapter 31) was an African American, predominantly female association. The ledger (1924-1926)
contains meeting minutes, correspondence, membership rosters, dues paid and owed, and two photographs with unidentified members
of the Shasta Elks Lodge.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Container: 1
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item], Bethel Order of the Eastern Star ledger, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Purchased in 1999. Accession number 2000-27.
Researchers are encouraged to view the Order of the Eastern Star collections at the Bancroft Library, and the Royal E. Towns
Papers at the Oakland Public Library. The Royal E. Towns Papers contains one image of Bethel OES Chapter 31.
Prior to processing, water damage was found on the lower portion of the front and back covers and some of the adjacent interior
pages. For preservation purposes, acid free paper was inserted between some pages. Photographs were removed to an acid free
file stored inside the box with the ledger.
The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) was established by Rob Morris in 1850 and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic
Fraternity in 1873. They are a worldwide fraternal, faith based non-profit charitable service organization open to both men
and women. Members account for all races and denominations with Prince Hall being the primarily African American arm of the
order.
Bethel OES Chapter 31, a Prince Hall chapter, first met October 4, 1924. The first meeting took place at 1788 Sutter Street
(the home of Elizabeth Johnson). Later meetings took place at 1433 Divisadero (Booker T. Washington Center), and 2804 Bush
(a Masonic Hall). The Booker T. Washington Center was a meeting place for other African American fraternal orders including
the Shasta Elks Lodge, whose two prints were contained in the ledger. 2804 Bush also served as the home for the Hannibal Lodge
No. 1, California's oldest Prince Hall lodge, dating back to 1852.
After their chapter was confirmed by the overseeing Naomi Chapter No. 2, also Prince Hall, Bethel held their first regular
meeting April 14, 1925. 1925 officers included Lida C. Reed, Oscar G. Robinson, Viola Banks, Elizabeth Johnson, Gertrude Cox,
Larena Herndon, Magdelene Dewson, Willa Robinson and Jesse Wilks. James Edmond served as Grand Worthy Patron for California,
operating out of Los Angeles. The last recorded meeting in the ledger took place January 26, 1926. Bethel Chapter 31 is listed
in the San Francisco City Directory nonconsecutively from 1927-1951. Naomi Chapter appears in the directory as late as 1953.
They are both mentioned as late as January 1979 in the Sun Reporter.
The ledger contains meeting minutes, correspondence, membership rosters, dues paid and owed, and two photographs with unidentified
members of Shasta Elks Lodge. Correspondence documents the establishment of the order over its first year; correspondence
is primarily between the Grand Worthy Patron, James Edmond, and the Secretary Lida C. Reed. The ledger's strengths are the
well documented meeting minutes and correspondence regarding the establishment of the chapter.
The ledger is arranged chronologically, front to back. Correspondence is tacked into the ledger and is not always in chronological
order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African American freemasons -- History
African American women -- History -- 20th century
African Americans -- California -- San Francisco -- History
Freemasons -- California -- San Francisco -- History.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History.
Women -- History
Order of the Eastern Star (Prince Hall Affiliation). Bethel Chapter 31