Centralville Rebekah Lodge, No. 137, records, 1893-1950

This collection provides information about the history of the Daughters of Rebekah and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Lowell, Massachusetts and the surrounding areas. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also known as the Three-Link Fraternity, was founded in 1819 in Baltimore, Maryland by Thomas Wildey and four members of the Odd Fellows from England, establishing the Washington Lodge, No. 1. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a benevolent fraternal organization dedicated to positive personal and social development. Odd Fellows aim to extend sympathy and aid to those in need and to be a moral power and influence for the good of humanity by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice. Teachings are conducted through the exemplification of Degrees of membership, which are largely presented through Biblical allegory and drama.

Ritual consists of six degrees in the subordinate lodge and three degrees in the Encampment, each with corresponding symbols. The Initiatory Degree is associated with the All Seeing Eye, Heart and Hand, Coffin, Skull and Crossbones, Beehive, and the Links and Axe. The First Degree (White) or Degree of Friendship uses the Lamb and Bundle of Sticks. The Second Degree or Degree of Brotherly Love is associated with the Quiver and Arrow. The Third Degree (Royal Blue) or Degree of Truth uses Moses' Rod, the Love, the Brazen Serpent, and the Ark of the Covenant. The Fourth Degree or Degree of Remembrance is associated with the Scales and Sword and the Hom of Plenty. The Fifth Degree (Scarlet) or Priestly Order uses the Bible, the Budding Rod, and the Sun, Moon and Stars. The Encampment Degrees consist of the Patriarchal, Golden Rule and Royal Purple, and introduce the emblems of the Altar of Incense, the Patriarchs Tent, the Three Pillars and the Globe, the Hourglass, and the Scythe.

By 1889, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was one of the largest fraternal organizations with lodges in every state.

The Rebekah Degree was established in 1851 by Odd Fellows member Schuyler Colfax of Indiana and was founded upon the principles of faithfulness, hospitality, purity and dedication to the principles of the Order as portrayed by women of the Bible.

At first, it was an honorary degree for the Odd Fellows to confer upon their wives and daughters, but eventually, Sisters were allowed to confer the degree on other Sisters. In 1868, resolutions were passed authorizing the institution of the Daughters of Rebekah, giving them the right to elect their own officers, charge for initiation fees, collect dues and administer relief to those in need. Then in 1922, due to a substantial number of male members, the Daughters of Rebekah officially became the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies.

All members take one degree, the Assembly Degree, which is illustrated by distinctive symbols: the Beehive, a representation of cooperative industry and united efforts; the Moon and Seven Stars, a symbol of the never failing order which pervades the universe and of the value of regularity and precision in worthy undertakings; the Dove, an emblem of peace and an encouragement to promote love, charity and tolerance; and the Lily, the ultimate representation of purity and the purity of character, of thought, of word and of action found in every Rebekah member.

Philanthropy is a major part of both fraternal orders. The Daughters of Rebekah and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows both sponsored the Educational Foundation, which provided loans to members, and were one the first fraternal orders to establish homes for the aged and orphans.

This collection offers a glimpse into these fraternal orders in the Lowell, Massachusetts-area, particularly the Centralville Rebekah Lodge, No. 137 and its connections to other Rebekah lodges.