The Middlesex Chapter of DeMolay collection, 1923-1986

Collection

Identifier: A2000-054

Scope and Contents

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The Middlesex Chapter of De Malay Collection contains: chapter correspondence, Advisory Council records, annual reports, Scribe reports, Master Councilor's final reports, Treasurer's financial reports and documents, blank certificates and degree forms, photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, DeMolay Mother's Club records, chapter by-laws and handbooks, Petition for Degrees, member cards, Attendance Registers, and Form 10s. These records document the events of the chapter from the years of 1923 to 1986.

The documents in this collection cover the years of 1923 to 1986 and include: correspondence, Advisory Council records, Annual Reports, Scribe Reports, photographs, newspaper clippings, financial documents and various member documents, such as petitions, Form l0s, and member cards. Additionally, the collection includes by laws and handbooks of the DeMolay. This collection not only documents the history and daily activities of the Middlesex Chapter, but it also provides information on the functions of officers and individuals within the organization.

Dates

Creation: 1923-1986

Creator

DeMolay (Organization). Middlesex Chapter (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Most of this collection is open for research, except for the Ritual of the Degree of Chevalier handbook, undated, within the Handbooks and By-laws, 1924-1982 series. See Ritual Access Policy for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Please contact the Archivist regarding permission to publish material.

Biographical / Historical

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The Order of DeMolay was founded by Freemason Frank S. Land in 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri. Boys between the ages of 12 and 21 who are sons or relatives of Freemasons can join. Close friends of DeMolay members will also be accepted with petitions from two members. The organization places emphasis on teaching young men qualities such as brotherly love and comradeship, courtesy, patriotism, fidelity, and religious values.

Projects focus on fund drives for chapter activities, such as Christmas tree sales, social events, rituals for degrees, guidance programs and, oratorical contests. There are two rituals of the DeMolay: the initiatory degree and the DeMolay Degree. Each chapter must have sponsorship from a Masonic group such as the Scottish Rite or York Rite. Each chapter has an advisory council of Master Masons who are known as "Dads." The offices of the organization consist of: Master Councilor, Senior and Junior Councilors, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, Orator, Chaplain, Marshal, Scribe, Treasurer, Almoner, Standard Bearer, Seven Preceptors, and Sentinal. These offices are all held by DeMolay members.

The Middlesex Chapter, located in Middlesex Massachusetts, accepted its first members in 1923 and received its charter in 1924. The Chapter closed in about 1986 due to lack of member enrollment.

Full Extent

7.21 Linear Feet (Four record storage containers, two letter boxes, two letter boxes, narrow, and three card file or postcard boxes. )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

There are seventeen series in eleven boxes.

Custodial History

The donor was Dick Curtis, a member of the Supreme Council for Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. During the last years of the Chapter's existence, Dick Curtis was a Chapter Advisor for the Middlesex Chapter of DeMolay and acted as liaison for donating the chapter's records after the Chapter closed.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Dick Curtis

Processing Information

This collection was orginally processed in December 2000 by Michelle Williams. It was reboxed in August 2023 by a volunteer, Duncan White, to more finely pack the collection to prevent paper and folder bowing. Previously, the collection was placed in five record storage cartons, three card file boxes, and three drop-front storage boxes to total 7.8 linear feet. Now, the collection is held in four record storage containers, two letter boxes, two letter boxes, narrow, and three card file or postcard boxes to total 7.21 linear feet. The finding aid, more specifically the biographical/historical note, was lightly edited by Sarah H. Shepherd when inputted into ArchivesSpace in October 2023.