An early 1900s (estimates between 1875 and 1920) Odd Fellows..
Added 2023-05-23 12:00:32 +0000 UTCAn early 1900s (estimates between 1875 and 1920) Odd Fellows ceremonial (inner guard) robe. It’s heavy and has multiple layers of fabric (velvet, cotton and wool) with chains and hooks that audibly clink when walking in it. The Odd Fellows are non-political & non-secular fraternity founded in America in the early 1800s but worldwide they’ve been around a century longer than that. Interestingly, the Civil War saw huge declines in all fraternal memberships (for obvious reasons given the impact of the war both due to casualties and political divide of the nation as well as an increase in socioeconomic challenges of the average American.) Following this, the Odd Fellows regained it strength, surpassing the Free Masons to become the largest fraternal organization in the country. Their stated goals are “visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan,” and ceremonies (rituals) are held for various celebrations including initiations. The links on the costume represent the three values of The Order: Friendship, Love & Truth and would have been worn by a member assigned as the Guard protecting the entrance to the ceremony. I have several other ritual costumes from them from this time period - more to come if you liked this! 💋
