This article examines the activities of Oriental Lodge No. 111, A.F. & A.M. (Broad Brook, Connecticut) during the Second World War (1941—1945), based on archival documents introduced into scholarly circulation for the first time. The study aims to reconstruct the institutional life of the lodge and to analyze its adaptation to wartime conditions. The source base consists primarily of lodge minutes, which provide detailed information on administrative practices, ritual activity, financial management, and social interactions within the Masonic community. The study demonstrates that the lodge maintained a stable organizational structure and regular rhythm of work throughout the war years. Particular attention is given to the continuity of initiatory practices, which ensured the reproduction of the fraternity, as well as to the role of ritual in reinforcing collective identity. The article also highlights the lodge’s involvement in charitable and patriotic initiatives, including support for the Masonic Service Association, participation in war relief efforts, and investment in U.S. War Bonds. In addition, the study reveals the importance of fraternal mutual assistance and memorial culture, as reflected in support for members and their families and in participation in funeral rites. Overall, Oriental Lodge No. 111 is presented as a resilient local institution that successfully combined traditional Masonic practices with adaptation to the challenges of wartime society.
Source: Cherkas, Alexander C. (2026). The Activities of Oriental Lodge No. 111, A.F. & A.M. (Broad Brook, Connecticut) during the Second World War. Recorder. 2(1-2): 98-173.
Source web-site: https://easteuropeanhistory.org/journals_n/1774874435.pdf
Number of views: 20
