Knights of Pythias

View of group of men in formal dress. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts. No date is given. Knights of Pythias is one of largest and most influential secret societies in America. Its purpose was charitable and benevolent. It was founded at the close of the Civil War. (Stevens, Cyclopedia of Fraternities, p.263-266)

View of a group of men in formal dress, many with fraternal pins. Located at West Haven Connecticut. Dated October 15, 1929. Another group of Knights of Pythias who base their ritual on the story of Damon and Pythias. This society embraces principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence. Members were required to be a white male to be eligible for membership. (Schmidt. Fraternal Organizations, p.183-186)

Photolithograph of the Boys Band at the Ohio Pythian Home in Springfield, Ohio. The boys are dressed in decorated button-up shirts and decorated jackets. Their pants are dark and go to the knee, under which they are wearing dark stockings. Each boy is holding an instrument and there is a large drum in the center that reads "Ohio Pythian Home Boys Band Springfield, O."

Six calling cards from the Knights of Pythias (KP), the International Order of Good Templars (IOGT), and the Improved Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). The cards include the member's name and a colored symbol of their order, with some also including lodge names, numbers, and locations.

Photolithograph of the exterior of the Knights of Pythias Home in Tampa Florida, which is known as the Castle Hall. The building is also used as a recreation center for tourists. The building is brick with a circular tower and front porch.

Photolithograph of the exterior of the Knights of Pythias Home in Tampa Florida, which is known as the Castle Hall. The building is also used as a recreation center for tourists. The building is brick with a circular tower and front porch.

Society Lodge Emblems Advertising Sheet made up of celluloid coated paper advertisement sheet with 16 polychrome panels, each containing an illustration of a photo/ emblem for various fraternal and sororal organizations. It reads "Chart No. 8/ SOCIETY LODGE EMBLEMS-IN NATURAL COLORS/ MADE IN 6 INCH, 7 1/2 INCH, 9 INCH DIAMETER ROUND, HAND PAINTED".

A color chart of a collection of ceramic plates on metal stands entitled Chart No. 3--New Photo Flower, Society and Lodge Emblems, Made in 6 inch, 7 1/2 inch and 9 inch Round. In addition to emblems for fraternal and Masonic organizations, it includes emblems for U.S. Military and Florentine Placques.

Includes 3 copies of the by-laws from 1923 and 5 receipts.

Collection includes correspondence between Ida M. Nevers of the Order of Pythian Sisters, Grand Temple of Maine, and The Rev. Shirley B. Goodwin regarding the Invocation Benediction for the 1958 joint Knights of Pythias and Pythian Sisters Memorial Service. Most likely were Goodwin's records as the carbon copy of his reply to Nevers is included. Also includes Lodge Prayer, program materials for the service, and a newspaper clipping about the event.