Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club Collection, 1928-1977, bulk 1928-1958

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Summary

Creators:
Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club
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.
Extent:
0.42 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Community Service Organization, 1998.
Processing information:

Robert G. Marshall and Elizabeth Gilmartin, July 2002

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Documents

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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