Order of the Eastern Star, Oberlin Chapter Records, 1918, 1953-1977
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Administrative/Biographical History
Pansy Chapter #34, the Oberlin chapter of Order of the Eastern Star, was started in 1894, as the women’s auxiliary to the Masons. The Pearl Chapter #2 of Cleveland is considered the Pansy Chapter’s Mother chapter since it instituted the Oberlin organization on June 15, 1894 and the official charter was granted to the 31 members on October 10, 1894. According to Mrs. Sadie Oliver, Past Grand Matron, O.E.S. State of Ohio, the reason for the name “Pansy” was that for several years O.E.S. chapters were named for flowers. The pansy is said to be symbolic of thoughtfulness. In the early years of the organization, membership overlapped significantly with that of the Finitimi Society, a women’ s literary club.
As early as 1897, Pansy Chapter members traveled to Cleveland to celebrate the annual picnic, this tradition has been continued through the creation of friendship nights with other nearby O.E.S. chapters. In addition to its Pearl #2 Mother chapter, the Oberlin O.E.S. has a Daughter chapter, Elyria #186, and a Granddaughter chapter, Avon Lake #557. In 1934, the Pansy Chapter Auxiliary was organized to raise funds for philanthropic purposes. The history included in Series II. Historical written in 1976 by Irene Annable documents the various locations of the Pansy Chapter’s meetings, culminating in the completion of a Temple in September 1971. This history also details the appointments of Pansy Chapter #34 members to higher posts in the O.E.S. organization, particularly Sadie Oliver’s election as Worthy Grand Matron of Ohio in 1955. Members showed a high level of commitment to the Oberlin O.E.S., as evidenced by the 1976 celebration of ten Pansy Chapter #34 fifty-year members
The Pansy Chapter #34, Order of the Eastern Star illustrated the existence of a women’s auxiliary group that grew into an organization that developed ties with other O.E.S., as well maintained affiliations with the brother organization, the Oberlin Masons. The records here document the period from 1918 to 1977 [1975-76], and provide a brief account of the activities of the Pansy Chapter #34, Oberlin O.E.S.
Sources consulted
Roland M. Baumann, editor, Guide to Women’s History Sources in the Oberlin College Archives (Oberlin: Oberlin College, 1990)
Author: Roland M. Baumann Administrative Information
The records of the Pansy Chapter #34, Oberlin Order of the Eastern Star document the organization’s internal activities and their ties to other O.E.S. groups. The group met regularly for bi-weekly meetings, and celebrated activities such as Association Day, Flag Day, Inspections, Installation of officers and Friendship nights with other nearby Ohio chapters.
The collection consists of a three-page history, 1976; a list of past Matrons and Patrons, 1895-1977; programs for events both for the Pansy Chapter #34 and for other O.E.S. chapters, 1953-77; and a Pansy Chapter #34, O.E.S. cookbook, 1918.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Cookbook, 1918 (1 folder)
This series consists of “Mi Lady’s Own Book”, a cookbook published by the Pansy Chapter #34, O.E.S. in 1918. In addition to recipes there are a number of advertisements for Oberlin businesses.
Series II. Historical, 1976-77 (1 folder)
Contained in this series is “A Short Resume of the History of the Pansy Chapter #34, O.E.S.,” by Irene Annable, 1976, as well as correspondence, 1976, between Irene Annable and W.E. Bigglestone, re: the name Pansy. Lastly there is a 1977 booklet entitled “Past Matrons, Past Patrons” of the Pansy Chapter #34, 1894-1977.
Series III. Publications, 1953-54, 1974-77 (2 folders)
Subseries 1. Pansy Chapter #34, Oberlin O.E.S., 1953-54, 1974-77
Consists of one Pansy Chapter bulletin and one newsletters, 1975-76, several programs from the installation of officers, and one program from the 60th Annual Inspection of the Pansy Chapter, 1954. The majority of documents are from 1975-76. The 1976 newsletter provides a description of the organization’s activities for one year.
Subseries 2. Other Organizations, 1975-76
This subseries includes programs of the Annual Sessions of the Fourth District of Ohio, associated chapters of the O.E.S., 1975-76. There is also one installation of officers program from the Tiskelwah Chapter #45, Charleston, West Virginia, 1975. A handwritten note explains, “Sharon Porter, installing organist graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory. This is the program of the night Sharon’s mother was installed as Worthy Matron. Several Oberlin Eastern Star members went to West Virginia for the installation. Sharon was a frequent guest of Oberlin’s Pansy Chapter when she attended the Conservatory.”
INVENTORY
Series I. Cookbook, 1918
Box 1
“Mi Lady’s Own Book,” cookbook, Pansy Chapter #34, O.E.S. Oberlin, OH, 1918
Series II. Historical File, 1976-77
Box 1 (cont.)
Historical File, 1976-77
Series III. Publications, 1953-54, 1974-77
Box 1 (cont.)
Suberies 1. Pansy Chapter #34, Oberlin O.E.S., 1953-54, 1974-77
Bulletins, Programs and a Newsletter, 1953-54, 1974-77
Subseries 2. Other Organizations, 1975-76
Programs, Fourth District of Ohio, O.E.S., and the Tiskelwah Chapter #45,
O.E.S., West Virginia, 1975-76