3/2/2013 | Arrow Rock State Historic Site | Arrow Rock, MO
Grass-roots institutions, such as fraternal organizations, created and sustained bonds of fellowship. Fraternal and mutual benefit societies provided funds and other resources to its members and families in need. Fraternal organizations, such as the Masonic Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, were a significant part of 19th century Arrow Rock social life. Membership was open to men of good character, but their meetings and ceremonies were closed to the uninitiated. The most influential citizens, such as George Caleb Bingham, Gov. Meredith Miles Marmaduke, Dr. John Sappington and Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson, belonged to one or the other of these secret societies. Women could not join but maintained auxiliary groups to the lodges. African Americans, though segregated, developed and maintained and benefited from their own secret societies and fraternal lodges. This lecture will be presented by Alisha Cole, principal of Arcadia Consulting, who will explore how these societies impacted and shaped local history and events. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Arrow Rock Inc.
Event time: 10 a.m. - noon
Associated activities
- Interpretive Programs