Constellation Lodge Records
Scope and Contents
The Constellation Lodge Papers contain records of Lodge #892 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The collection includes general historical files such as bulletins, by-laws, schedules, invitations, and reports; newsletters sent out to lodge brothers by National Service Committee Chairman Henry Kallenbach, Jr.; and letters from lodge brothers serving in the First World War sent to Kallenbach.
Dates
- Creation: 1916 - 1927
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1917 - 1919
Creator
- Freemasons (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Biographical / Historical
At the time of World War I, there were approximately 80,000 masons (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons) in the Chicago District. The District was divided into at least 200 smaller units or lodges, operating independently but under the same fundamental principles and procedures. The mason motto was "Service to God and Humanity," and their tenants were "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth."
Constellation Lodge #892 was probably organized in the first decade of the twentieth century and by 1917 had about 850 members. Over 100 of these members served in World War I and two died in action.
This lodge has since disbanded and its lodge hall at 3910 N. Damen Avenue sold. Since the masons are a secret fraternal organization, very few additional details are available, other than these records, regarding this lodge's membership, activities or dissolution.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (in 4 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The majority of the collection consists of letters from lodge brothers serving in World War I, with updates on their lives and activities. It also contains a small amount of historical information about Lodge #892 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 3 series:
Series 1: General Historical Files, 1916-1927
Series 2: National Service Committee Records, 1918-1919
Series 3: Letters to Henry Kallenbach, 1917-1919
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Brenda Weigelt donated this collection in 1989. It had been in the possession of her late husband, Johnnie Weigelt, who purchased the 3910 North Damen building from the Constellation Lodge in the early 1950s. The records were left in the building when it was sold.
- Title
- Guide to the Constellation Lodge Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Becky Haglund Tousey, 1990. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Allyson Smally, 2021.
- Date
- 1990
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Northside Neighborhood History Collection Repository
Sulzer Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago IL 60625 United States
(312) 742-4455
northsidehistory@chipublib.org