Early Lodges of Montgomery County

In celebration of the bicentennial of Montgomery County, December 1822-December 2022, the local history area in the library showcased four historical displays throughout the year. The current and last display is called Early Lodges of Montgomery County.  Enlarged copies of postcards featuring the historic lodge buildings in Crawfordsville, Waynetown, Darlington, and New Market are displayed on the second floor.  Also on display are record books and books about the history of Knights of Pythias by Frank Bowers and A. R. Peterson.  Other featured organizations are Patriotic Order Sons of America, Freemasonry, Independent Order of Oddfellows, and the Red Men Lodge. The library has collected the newsletters of the Tribe of Ben Hur, later called the Ben Hur Life Association. The Chariot newsletter began in 1895 one year after the organization was founded by Lew Wallace here in Crawfordsville. 

These early organizations were the hubs of social activity and some had companion societies for ladies.  People would gather to socialize, perform charitable acts and support one another and the community. These groups were very important to people before radio and TV programs.  They were a way to stay informed, active, and provide public aid as there were no welfare programs provided by the government at this time.   

The Tribe of Ben Hur began in Crawfordsville as a fraternal organization that provided such care to its members.  It was open to both male and female members, something unusual at the time.  The Tribe was the only fraternal organization based on a work of fiction.  D. W. Gerard and F. L. Snyder, of Crawfordsville, approached Lew Wallace with the idea for the group and Wallace secured permission from his publisher.  The first meeting was held on January 16, 1894, when ex-governor Ira Joy Chase was elected Supreme Chief.  One of the benefits of membership was that your dues were applied to the insurance for death or injury and there was also a scholarship fund.  Due to the popularity of the novel the organization grew quickly and eventually became the insurance agency Ben Hur Life Association. 

You can read more about these fraternal organizations on the second floor of the library in the Marian Morrison Local History area.  The library also has a Genealogy Club that meets once a month.  Check the Genealogy Club webpage for more details and a link to the membership application. The Crawfordsville District Public Library is open Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm.