History of the Elks & Does Organization

 

 

All year long the Historical Society has been exploring the history of the McLeod County’s Fraternal orders, fifteen in all.  While many of these organizations no longer exist, the Elks and Does continue to enjoy an active membership.  Through the years the groups have done and excellent job of documenting their own history, and have put together a power point presentioa that they will be showing for our program on the public on Novermber 8th at the Museum.

 

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was founded in 1868 in New York City.  Making them, unlike many of the groups we have covered, a relatively new and completely American founded organization.  On March 11, 1969 an informal meeting was held an the Velvet Coach with Bob Sovereign of the Minnesota Elks Association to discuss the idea of organizing an Elks Lodge in Hutchinson.  The Hutchinson Elks have donated money to various causes such as the Elks park in Hutchinson, the Boy Scouts and youth baseball, plus much more that they will highlight in their talk.  The Elks in Hutchinson are also very active in Flag Day ceremonies and making the public aware of patriotism and their youth, with a very American mission and message.  Also spreading Patriotism as a part of their mission, is the Does group.  The Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Does is the women’s group of the order of Elks.  The group was started by wives of Elks on February 12, 1921.  On May 11, 1976, Hutchinson Drove #233 of the Benevolent and Patriot order of Does was chartered with 39 members.