Category Archives: Uncategorized

Throughout the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, many Americans began both forming and becoming part of civic organizations. With this, a unique sense of community and comradery was created in many American towns and cities. This sense of community was particularly prominent throughout the Midwest United States, and Muncie wasContinue reading “Introduction”

Foremost, the question of which fraternal orders were in Muncie during the period had to be answered. Discovering this initial question allowed for further analysis and investigation of specific fraternal orders to answer the other questions posed. Searching through the Ball State University Digital Media Repository provided several primary sources that provided information on theContinue reading “Major Fraternal Orders in Muncie”

With fraternal orders known, the next question was to find the appeal for men to join these orders. While each of the orders are unique in their own sense and have different objectives and characteristics, many had the same techniques of persuading men to join. The following will describe characteristics of the fraternal orders –Continue reading “The Nature and Advantages of the Fraternal Orders”

Widespread fraternal orders ultimately had an effect on the Muncie community, both within the organizations and outside of them. The following will look into social, economic, and political effects that fraternal orders had on the city. The aforementioned breakdown and intermingling of social classes mentioned in the last blog was a key effect on theContinue reading “Notable Members of Orders and the Impact on Muncie”

In order to answer the research questions, a variety of primary sources had to be referenced. Foremost, pamphlets and leaflets by the fraternal orders found on Ball State University Digital Media Repository, as well as visiting the archives at the Bracken Library in person. These sources provided the goals of the organizations, as well asContinue reading “Reflection and Conclusion of the Investigation”

Primary Sources  Fraser, Marie. Ball brothers. Circa 1900-1919. Ball State University Campus Photographs Collection, Ball State University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections. Accessed November 14, 2019. https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/photo/id/4118/rec/1. Free and Accepted Masons Delaware Lodge No. 46 bylaws pamphlet, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries. https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/collection/DelFraOrd/id/25. Accessed November 7, 2019.  Free and Accepted Masons Delaware Lodge No. 46Continue reading “Full Bibliography”