'Secret Societies' exposed

An exhibit opening Saturday at the Museum Center at Five Points looks at the history of fraternal lodges in Bradley County and the impact they have made on the development of the area.

"Secret Societies: Fraternal Organizations in Bradley County Past and Present" was guest curated by local historian Mitchell Kinder with assistance from local historians Bob George and Jim Finley, and sponsored by the Odd Fellows Lodge of Cleveland.

It features a wealth of fascinating objects, many never before seen by people outside of lodge halls, according to organizers.

A bit of history

Within a few years of Bradley County's formation in 1836, local men began to organize fraternal lodges. This trend continued throughout the 19th century as more and more men came together to form different kinds of lodges, among them the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and Woodmen of the World. In the 20th century, lodges such as the Elks and the Knights of Columbus were formed in the county.

The formation of these secret societies in Bradley Country reflected a similar trend throughout Victorian America, where by 1897 5.5 million men out of a total male population of 19 million belonged to fraternal organizations. Some men belonged to more than one lodge.

If you go* What: "Secret Societies: Fraternal Organizations in Bradley County Past and Present."* When: Saturday through Aug. 28. Museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.* Where: Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn.* Admission: $5 adults; $4 students, seniors and groups of 12 or more; free to children under 5, members and to all visitors the first Saturday of the month.* Phone: 423-339-5745.* Website: www.MuseumCenter.org.

All fraternal organizations had two elements in common: members in each organization took secret oaths that bound them together, and members conducted their meetings using signs and secret rituals. Men formed their secret societies for many reasons, such as to provide mutual aid for life insurance and death insurance, for camaraderie and for benevolence in the community.

The exhibit

Objects in the exhibitions will highlight fraternal rituals including a room set up like a Victorian lodge hall, costumes, ribbons and other ritual paraphernalia including a mechanical goat. Other objects will illustrate the importance of benevolence such as helping orphans and education. Photographs and the many elaborate colored lithographs used to decorate Victorian-era lodge halls also will be on display. Almost all the items on loan come from Bradley County lodge halls, both past and present.

In addition to the all-male lodges, women formed their own secret societies as female-only auxiliaries to their all-male counterparts. These included the Rebekahs, the Eastern Star and the Daughters of America. These will be represented in the exhibition as well with objects from the local chapters.


ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING

The museum has planned a series of programs to coincide with the exhibit. For more information, call 423-339-5745 and ask for Tracy.

* July 31: Fine Silver Charm Jewelry Class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jewelry artist Carla Boudrot leads a beginners jewelry class using precious metal clay to form four charms. Students will learn to fire, polish and apply a finish coat of patina or color. All tools and equipment provided. Reservations and payment required by Wednesday. $60 members, $65 nonmembers.

* Aug. 9: Van trip to Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Participants will tour "Dale Chihuly Art Glass," featuring contemporary works by the Seattle artist, and "The Golden Age of Couture," an exhibit of clothing from the fashion houses of Paris and London from 1947 to 1957. Reservations and payment required by Aug. 2. $30 members, $35 nonmembers.

* Aug. 14: Chunky Spiral Bracelet Class, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bead jewelry artist Claire Groff shows how to make a beaded bracelet using the herringbone, or "Ndebele" stitch, and attach a clasp. This is not a bead stringing class but bead weaving, a much different technique. Open to beginners or more experienced beaders. All materials provided. Reservations and payment required by Aug. 7. $55 members, $60 nonmembers.

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