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Hollenbeck DeMolay Mother's Club Collection
URB.HDMMC
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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
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.
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.
Other Information:
Processing staff for this collection were supported by a generous gift from the J. Paul
Getty Trust.
The collection is open for research 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.
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual,
or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Robert G. Marshall and Elizabeth Gilmartin, July 2002
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents