O is for Organizations, large and small

The Brick Store Museum's collections contain numerous archival documents and artifacts related to fraternal orders, charitable service organizations and veterans' groups.  Below is a sampling:

Fraternal Order Bandolier

This bandolier signifies the fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias. The bandolier belonged to Freeman A. Wentworth (d. 1910), who lived at Kennebunk Beach and served as station agent and postmaster. The bandolier bears a figure of a knight and a Roman head.

The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone in an attempt to promote brotherly love in the wake of the Civil War. This international, non-sectarian organization advocates “cooperation and friendship between people of good will” and is dedicated to the cause of universal peace. It is the first order to receive a charter by an act of Congress.

The Kennebunk, the Pythian Block building is located on Main Street and today houses a title company and the Main Street Chocolatier.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of Miss Elizabeth E. Perkins, 1966. 66.148.

Fraternal Order Hat

Worn by Kennebunk’s William S. Gilpatic, this officer’s and chevalier’s bicorne-style hat is regulation issue for the Patriarchs Militant Army I.O.O.F. It was manufactured by the M.C. Lilley company of Columbus, Ohio, in the early 1900s. In addition to gold braid, tassels and insignia, the hat is decorated in white and red ostrich plumes.

I.O.O.F. stands for the International Order of Odd Fellows (or Oddfellows). It is believed that the name “Oddfellows” originated from a description of members of a guild from a variety of trades. The society first begun in England to protect and care for its members at a time when there was no welfare or health care system. The first modern-day order in the United States began in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1819. The I.O.O.F is not a secret society. The organization’s fundraising efforts support numerous charities. In Kennebunk, the Oddfellows Hall is located on Main Street; the downstairs now houses Marier’s Men’s Shop.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of Richard Bedard, 1964. 64.5.559