Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.) Records, 1881-1898
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.) Records
- Creator
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- AIS.1974.33
- Extent
- 3 Linear Feet
- Date
- 1881-1898
- Abstract
- Active from 1870 to 1942, Vesta Lodge #696, located in Coal Center, Washington County, Pa., was a local chapter of the fraternal benefit society, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The records include a minute book of chapter meetings, as well as a financial ledger book.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
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Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Dr. Michael F. Serene on December 27, 1974.
Biographical / Historical
Located in Coal Center, Washington County, Pa., Vesta Lodge #696 was a local chapter of the men's fraternal organization, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). Vesta Lodge #696 was established on March 3, 1870, and dissolved in 1942.
The IOOF is a fraternal benefit society that provides monetary assistance to its members in times of illness, in addition to arranging funerals and providing financial assistance for the families of deceased members. Before widespread access to healthcare, fraternal benefit organizations, such as the IOOF, acted as forms of health and life insurance for its members. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows' stated purpose is to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan."
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was established in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland and since 1843, has operated separately from their chartering organization, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity stemmed from the British fraternal society, Order of Odd Fellows, which began in the 18th-century as a social and philanthropic organization.
Auxiliary branches of the IOOF have emerged since the organization's conception, include the Daughters of Rebekah, which is a female branch of the IOOF, as well as the Junior Odd Fellows Lodge, which is open to boys aged 8 to 21.
Previous Citations
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.), Minute Book, MM 13 and the Ledger, MLed 5.
Preferred Citation
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.) Records, 1881-1898, AIS.1974.33, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Caroline E. Berry in May 2022.
Scope and Contents
Records includes a minute book of chapter meetings, which contains information on attendance, executive board elections, and the disbursement of funds. A typical meeting agenda began with a review of recent payments, followed by club announcements, then to any other happenings, such as the appointment of a new committee. Also present is a financial ledger book containing the names of each member and their yearly due payments.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Subjects
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Vesta Lodge #696 (Coal Center, Pa.)
- Minute books
- Ledgers (Account books)
- Administrative records
- Financial records
- Fraternal organizations -- Pennsylvania -- Coal Center