Library of Virginia
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Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Greater Capitol City Lodge, No. 11 (Richmond, Va.). Records, 1907-1992. Accession 38098, Organization records collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
This collection was given to The Library of Virginia in April 2001 by the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Greater Capitol City Lodge, No. 11, 526 North 2nd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223.
The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World was formed on 28 September 1898 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is currently the largest African-American fraternal organization in the world. Known for providing social and financial services to member's families upon their untimely death, the organization also developed specific departments to address concerns related to education, health, veteran's affairs, and civil liberties. Members pay monthly dues and burial fund taxes. The Greater Capitol City Lodge was one lodge under the auspices of the Virginia State Association of the I.B.P.O.E.W., which itself was subordinate to the National Association of the I.B.P.O.E.W.
Records, 1907-1992, of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Greater Capitol City Lodge, No. 11, an African-American fraternal organization located in Richmond, Virginia.
Materials arranged chronologically.
OrganizationThe collection is organized into the following series:
Series I: Correspondence
Series II: Financial records
Series III: Committee reports and files
Series IV: Minutes
Series V: Constitutions, by-laws, and charters
Series VI: Photographs and posters
Series VII: Publications
Series VIII: Membership files
Related memorabilia from this collection was given to the Valentine Museum, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.
Consists of both financial and non-financial correspondence concerning the organization and its operations. This series has circular letters, memorandums, correspondence with other lodges and organizations, and Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control letters and order of suspension. Circular letters and memorandums concern lodge functions, entertainment, fundraising, committees and departments, lodge and organizational publications, member activities, conventions, and the 29th Anniversary celebration held in 1984.
Contains audits, bank statements, checks, deed of trust, financial reports, invoices, receipts, tax forms, an organizational budget, stock inventories, and stocks and supplies requistions. Receipts specifically concern building repairs and building operations, beer and food purchases, utilities, cable and telephone service, fire and property insurance, and property, occupational, and alcohol taxes.
Consists of correspondence and reports concerning the Athletic, Audit, Beauty, Civil Liberties, Disco, Education, House, and 25th Anniversary Committees, and the Grand Exalted Ruler's Office and the Trustee Board.
Comprises the minutes, 1940, 1971 and 1988 of the Greater Capitol City Lodge, minutes, 1975, 1981 and 1984, of the Virginia State Association of the I.B.P.O.E.W., and minutes, 1974, of the Daughters of the I.B.P.O.E.W.
Specifically contains constitutions and by-laws, 1970, 1979, 1984, 1986, and organizational charters, 1987-1991, for the I. B. P. O. E. W.; a charter, 1907, for the Daughters of I.B.P.O.E.W., Benjamin Temple; a charter, 1956, for Daughters of I.B.P.O.E.W., Daisy Temple; and a charter, 1940, for Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks.
Consists of photographs of the I.B.P.O.E.W. members and building and a poster for the 63rd annual convention of I.B.P.O.E.W.
This series contains publications consisting of a members' guidebook, annual meeting programs, 1980-1981, a souvenir program, 1972, of the Purple Cross Nurses Division of the I.B.P.O.E.W., a history of the I.B.P.O.E.W., copies of the "Elk Informer" newsletter, 1975-1976, copies of "The Spectrum," 1981-1982, annual convention pamphlets, 1979, 1983, memorial exercise programs, 1978-1988, and newspaper clippings.
Specifically contains delinquent member lists and notices, membership applications, member burial fund lists, members dues booklets, members dues cards and accounts, member certificates, member name tags, lodges and councils lists, current and former lists of officers, charter member list, membership tests, a lodge list for the Daughters of I.B.P.O.E.W., and membership rolls 1984-1990. There is also members' trial correspondence, duties of unit officers, and correspondence and files pertaining to Scottie Wood.