Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Outside of City Hall

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Outside of City Hall

In this photograph, thirteen members of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, an African American fraternal group, pose outside of the Brockton, Massachusetts, City Hall, in their regalia. James R. Thompson (1862-1931), one of the men pictured and the likely owner of this image, lived in Assinippi (later Norwell), Massachusetts, worked as a laborer, and is thought to have belonged to the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows’ Edward E. Bennett Lodge No. 3338 in Brockton. The Grand United Order held its District Grand Lodge convention in Brockton in 1897, bringing delegates from about 30 lodges together for a business meeting, parade, and social events. This photograph may have been taken during that event.

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Special Acquisitions Fund, 89.1

ca. 1897