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This advice was presented to the Shriners and Daughters of Isis, but it is useful to all Masonic organizations
AND WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN THE MEMORIES FADE?
Imagine how much richer our historical coffers would be, had someone established an oral history project in 1908, or earlier.
Revitalizing and Enhancing the Process For Identifying, Collecting, Preserving, Promoting, and Publishing the History of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10"
Presentation to 1997 Joint Desert Conference, Washington, DC February 15, 1997
by Sibyl E. Moses, MPC[1]
Introduction:
Protocol having been established, it is with pleasure that I bring you greetings from my court, Sudan Court #19, Oasis of Champaign, Desert of Illinois. I am delighted and honored to join Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 in the deliberations of the 1997 Joint Desert Conference for the District of Columbia, as we consider "What Happens When Memories Fade?"
The purpose of this workshop is to focus your attention on the importance of identifying and preserving that information crucial for documenting the history and contributions of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10. The presentation is structured as follows: Part I outlines the challenges and opportunities for revitalizing and enhancing the process for (a) identifying, (b) collecting, (c) preserving, (d) promoting, and (e) publishing the history of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple # 10.. Part II briefly addresses what information is important to this process and why it is important. Part III proposes an agenda for action; it specifies what should be done, how it should be done systematically, and who should be involved in doing it. While this presentation focuses on capturing the memories of members and preserving information specific to the District of Columbia, it should be noted that the challenges, opportunities, content, and proposed action plan are relevant to all houses in the Prince Hall Masonic family, nationally and internationally.
Part I. Challenges and Opportunities
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As we explore the challenges and opportunities of capturing memories before they fade, it is only appropriate to evoke the spirits of a selected few Nobles and Daughters of Mecca:
Noble James Banyard, and his knowledge of Shrinedom;[2]
Noble Eddie "Joe" Joseph, and his pioneering efforts with the Mecca #10 and Drum Bugle Corps[3]
Noble Leonard "Dinksie" Dorsett, and his outstanding involvement with the Mecca # 10 Clown Club;[4]
Noble "Topcat" Frederick M. Burrus, Sr. and his dedication to the Mecca # 1 0 Clown Club;[5]
Daughter Bertha Bragg, Past Imperial Commandress, and her melodious voice;[6]
Daugher Dulcye F. Camp, Past Imperial Commandress and Mecca #2 Recordress for many years; [7]
Daughter Thelma Corbin, Past Imperial Commandress and Imperial Recordress.[8]
Imagine how much richer our lives, the legacy of our organization, and the legacy of our people would be, had we captured the voices, thoughts, and wisdom of the above-mentioned Nobles and Daughters of Mecca before they joined the ancestors. Imagine the wealth of information, both oral and written, that could have been amassed had we collected the papers, photographs, recordings and other Masonic information held by so many deceased members who dedicated their lives and contributed their skills and experiences to elevate the organization. Imagine how much richer our historical coffers would be, had someone established an oral history project in 1908, or earlier. A recording of Daughter Annie V. Thomas's thoughts about delivering the prayer at the first meeting on August 5, 1908 held for the sole purpose of forming a Court of Isis in the Oasis of Mecca Temple, would reveal so much about the early history of Mecca Court #2.[9]
Had we the foresight to establish an oral history project more than 90 years ago, it would be possible to hear the late Daughter Berta Bragg, a member of the National Negro Opera Company, sing "Sweet Sweet Spirit." It would be possible to hear Noble James Banyard eloquently recite passages from the Masonic law. Memories of Daughter Bragg and Noble Banyard are memories' held by only the precious few who knew them; one day even those memories will fade. Had we the foresight to establish an oral history project more than 90 years ago, members of the organization would be able to listen to, be educated by, and feel the spirit of Daughters Marie Smith, Mary E. Taylor, Mary I. Miller, Stella Freeman, Nobles John W. Freeman, Charles P. Freeman, and Tex Waller, and others following the first meeting of the Oasis Court and the meeting held on June 2, 1909 when the officers for the court were elected and installed as charter members.[10] Had someone the foresight to establish an oral history project, the recordings and transcripts deposited there could be used to write and promote the history of Prince Hall Shrinedom, a significant component of the history and cultural values of African American People.
The need for the subordinate courts and temples to capture memories before they fade has been expressed in the past. The Illinois Masonic Education Team noted in 1989 that “The higher echelons of masonry have seen fit to acquire photographs and biographies of leaders and prominent citizens almost from the beginning. For some reason, this form of record keeping has never caught on at the lodge, chapter, consistory, [court], and temple level. It may be that nobody thought the time and effort spent in acquiring this type of information was worth it..."[11]
Had we the foresight to formally establish an all-inclusive Mecca Court #2 Archives or Mecca Temple #10 Archives (oral history, administrative records, photographs, video and audio recordings, items of material culture, etc.), just imagine the possibilities. Although the organizations do not have access to the recorded voices, people within the organizations still possess the memories of the voices. But, we must recognize that memories fade, and recorded knowledge deteriorates or gets thrown away if it is not preserved systematically. We do have many sources of historical evidence: programs of activities, scrapbooks, letters, photographs and other materials that many members have collected and had the foresight to save. But, where are these records? Who has what? The time has come when we must revitalize and enhance the process of systematically identifying, collecting, preserving, promoting, and publishing the history of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10.
Although so many of the great pioneers and members of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 slept and traveled to join the ancestors ... Although the memories held by those whom have left us are gone ... There are members in this room and within our ranks who have memories; memories of the pioneers and memories of court and temple activities. These members must be consulted and their memories recorded so they can furnish any information that can be used in documenting the history of the organization and membership. The task is urgent.
In reviewing the frequently consulted reference book about African American women and their organizations, Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia, edited by Darlene Clark Hine, (New York: Carlson Publishing Inc., 1993), one finds listed Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, the Links, the Phyllis Wheatly Clubs, but no mention of the Heroines of Jericho, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of Isis, or any other Prince Hall Affiliated female Masonic organization.[12] While Masonic women's organizations are amongst the oldest African-American women's organizations in the District of Columbia, and in the nation, the history of Masonic women's organizations is omitted from this encyclopedia and numerous other reference books. This is a serious omission, and constitutes a major problem. When important organizations are excluded from such texts, and when the memories fade of those who knew and remembered that all Shrinedom has accomplished in uniting African-American people and all people in one common bond of friendship, the result is that the longstanding historical contributions of these organizations become invisible.
When the texts exclude or omit this information, and when the memories fade of those who benefited from our acts of charity and benevolence, how do we preserve this history and values? At that moment when the memories fade, and if we have not taken the time to identify, collect, and write a thorough and well documented history, we too will decrease in visibility!!! This in a nutshell, is why we need to formally and systematically revitalize and enhance the process of capturing our history.
Part II. Important Information
Several categories of information are important because they represent historical evidence. These include, but are not limited to, diaries, obituaries, programs of every activity, newspaper clippings, receipts, photographs, bibles, brochures, resolutions, letters, official documents (charters), lists of officers, proceedings, minutes of meetings, committee reports, and stewardship reports of officers.
It is common knowledge that history is that branch of knowledge dealing with past events; it is a record of past events and times. Therefore, the history of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 should be a record of the past events of these organizations that have involved thousands of hard working, benevolent, and spiritual people.
The above-mentioned types of information are necessary for constructing and revealing the history of our organization and people. These materials, along with oral history tapes and other evidence, will enable one to answer many questions (these are only few):
• What did the lives of Shriners and Daughters of Mecca mean in relation to the struggles of African American people in the District of Columbia, and in relation to the struggle through the country?
·What has been, and what is the role of Prince Hall Affiliated organizations in the District of Columbia, in women's rights, in civil rights, in economic, social, political, cultural development, and the general welfare of African-American people.
Part III. Establishing the Agenda
The objective of this presentation has been to issue a wake up call to local courts and temples. A wake up call has been issued to build upon what has been accomplished and documented thus far.[13] A call has been made to begin systematically capturing the history of the origin, activities, achievements, and contributions of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple # I 0, and record the biographies and activities of the members. This needs to be accomplished before the memories fade.
Action begins with the organization and its members formally recognizing the importance of identifying information that can be used to document the history and contributions of individuals within the organization, and the organization as a whole. Courts and Temples must establish a Committee for the Preservation and Promotion of their History. This committee, with the support of the full membership, must then consider establishing and completing specific projects outlined in the agenda below. One should compile an inventory of all existing histories, published and unpublished. This later action recognizes and builds upon what has been done. Next, identify who has what and proceed to collect these materials in order to develop extensive holding of relevant historical material. Create appropriate inventories and finding aids for these collections.
It has been said that, "No intellectual endeavor is ever the work of one individual." The work of identifying, collecting, organizing, preserving, writing, and publishing information about Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple#1O is an intellectual endeavor, and it is not the work of one individual. Everyone has a role. No one person is foo big or too small to be involved. No one has too many skills or too few skills to contribute to this process. The process of identifying information up through the publishing of the information is a challenge and opportunity for everyone in Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10.
No one member, or selected few members should practice "c9gnitive exclusivity" where only one person, or a few people, controls the information and does not share, and where one person or a group of people keep others out of the circle of knowledge. Everyone should be involved. History is not the domain of anyone person or one group of people. The task will not be accomplished overnight, nor in one day. It took David Levering Lewis eight (8) years to research and write WE.B. DuBois, 1968-1919: History of the Race.[14] It took Francis Smith Foster twelve (12) years to research and write Written by Herself, 1746-1892.[15] An extensive history of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 will take several years to complete, but the first challenge is to identify, organize, and preserve the information needed to write the history.
Recommendations the 1997 Joint Desert Conference May Wish To Consider
A Proposed Agenda
I. That 1997 Joint Desert Conference take a leadership role in the identification, collection, preservation, promotion, and publication of the heritage of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10.
2. That the 1997 Joint Desert Conference establish a "Committee for the Preservation and Promotion of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 History." The purpose of this committee would/could be to focus the entire membership's attention on the need to identify, collect, preserve, promote an awareness of, publish, and provide access to Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10's historical materials and cultural heritage. This committee could also promote the study of same.
3. That the 1997 Joint Desert Conference consider initiating the following projects:
- a. Oral History Project of Mecca Court #2
- b. Oral History Project of Mecca Temple #10
- c. Photographic Archives for Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10
- d. Mecca Court #2 Archival Project
- e. Mecca Temple #10 Archival Project
- f. Mecca Court #2 Biographical Dictionary (Current and Retrospective)
- g. Mecca Temple # 10 Biographical Dictionary (Current and Retrospective)
- h. Other projects of need as identified by the membership.
4. That the 1997 Joint Desert Conference begin compiling an inventory of all published and unpublished histories written about Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #1 0, and their subordinate units, in order to gain an understanding as to what has already been done. Locate the various and many histories of the Court and the Temple that have been written since the inception of both (on the backs of programs, in anniversary booklets, in speeches of members, etc.), locate the histories of the subordinate groups (ex. drill teams, choral groups, etc.). Identify who has what materials (current members and the families and friends of deceased members), identify who knows what. Pull all of this information together in order to assess the true state of affairs vis-a-vis the heritage of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10. This information should be compiled and made available to the entire membership.
Resources Distributed At the Workshop
The following resources were distributed at the workshop and will be helpful in understanding: (l) the basics of handling and storing photographs and documents, (2) institutions to contact for obtaining additional information about preserving materials of historical value, (3) companies to contact for obtaining acid-free folders, boxes, and other archival-quality materials, issues involved in acquiring records, and forms required for managing historical projects.
The information about the Friends for the Preservation of African American Culture (FPAC) can serve as a preliminary guide for establishing a "Committee for the Preservation and Promotion of Mecca Court #2 and Mecca Temple #10 History." FPAC is an organization one can join to interact with other people in the District of Columbia interested in preserving African-American history and culture. Other resources attached include: (5) a flow chart that outlines many of the steps involved in acquiring personal papers, organizations records, etc., (6) an outline for a policy statement that alerts us to issues that should be considered, (7) and (8) .sample participant agreement and donor forms used in the proper management of oral history projects, and (9) guidelines and tips that will be useful in conducting oral history interviews.
1. "Do's and Don'ts of Document Preservation" (developed by the Bethune Museum, Washington, DC)
2. "Contacts for More Information About Preservation" (developed by the Bethune Museum, Washington, DC)
3. "Suppliers of Archival Materials" (developed by the Bethune Museum, Washington, DC)
4. "Information on the Friends for the Preservation of African-American Culture" (developed by the Friends of Anacostia Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC)
5. Flow Chart--Acquisition of Archival Material. Source:
Thomas Wilsted and William Nolte. Managing Archival and Manuscript Repositories. Chicago: The Society of American Archivists, 1991. (page 24-25.)
6. Policy Statement (an outline for a policy statement). Source:
Thomas Wilsted and William Nolte. Managing Archival and Manuscript Repositories. Chicago: The Society of American Archivists, 1991. (page 16).
7. "Agreement to Participate in the Oral History Project. Source: Judith Ellis, ed. Keeping Archives. 2nd ed. Port Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Archivists, 1993. (page 439).
8. Oral History Donor Form. Source: Judith Ellis, ed. Keeping Archives. 2nd ed. Port Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Archivists, 1993 (page 440-441).
9. "Guidelines for Oral History Interviews: Tips for Interviewers." Source: Judith Ellis, ed. Keeping Archives. 2nd ed. Port Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Archivists, (page 443-444).
Notes and Sources
[1] Sibyl E. Moses, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America, School of Library and Information Science, Washington, DC She is Past Matron, Princess Hagar #7, Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Illinois, P.H.A. She served as Assistant Recordress, Sudan Court #19, Oasis of Champaign, Desert of Illinois.
She wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following individuals: Nobel Charles P. Robison, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis District of Columbia (1997); Past Imperial Commandress Mildred Crosby; Past Illustrious Commandress Jane Robinson Levant; Past Commandress Verdell Gainor; Honorary Past Imperial Commandress Ruth Smith; Past
[2] James Banyard, Illustrious Potentate, Mecca #10 in 1969. Masonic scholar, known for his memory and wealth of knowledge on MasOnc law. Past Master Hiram Lodge #4, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Washington, DC; Commander in Chief of Johnathan Davis Consistory #1, Washignton, DC
Source: Charles P. Robison, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis, District of Columbia, interview with author, Washington, DC February 1997.
[3] Edward "Joe" Joseph. Honorary Past Potenate, Mecca # 1 O. Drummer in the Mecca Temple # 10 Drum and Bugle Corps. One of the founders ofthe Drum and Bugle Corps, formed in 1959. The Corps made its first appearance in 1961 at the convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Source: Charles P. Robison, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis, District of Columbia, interview with author, Washington, D.C., 12 February 1997.
[4] Leonard "Dinksie" Dorsett, Honorary Past Potentate, Mecca Temple #10. Imperial Council appointee, Ambassador at Large for Mecca Temple #10. Noble Dorsett passed August 1, 1990.
Source: Charles P. Robison, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis, District of Columbia, interview with the author, Washington, DC, 2 F ebrilary 1997.
[5] Frederick "Topcat" Burrus, Sr. Honorary Past Potentate, Mecca Temple # 1 0; Mecca Temple # 10 Clown Club, also visited sick children's hospitals and senior citizens homes, for merriment.
Source: Charles P. Robison, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis, District of Columbia, interview with author, Washington, DC 12 February 1997.
[6] Bertha May Gragg was born May 31,1913 in Pendleton, North Carolina. A retired federal employee, Daughter Bragg was also a concert artist with the National Negro Opera Company. For 58 years, she was president of the Goodwill Baptist Church Choir.
Her Prince Hall Masonic affiliation began in 1950 when she joined Mecca Court #2. Positions held within Prince Hall Masonic organizations in the District of Columbia include: Worthy Matron, Prince Hall Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Star in 1956; Grand Worthy Matron, Georgiana Thomas Grand' Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in 1972; Most Ancient Grand Matron of Julia A. Jackson Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho in 1972; Illustrious Commandress, Mecca Court #2, Daughters ofIsis in 1960; Imperial Deputy of the Desert, Desert of the District of Columbia for several years; Loyal Lady Ruler, Richard Howell Gleaves Assembly #2, Order of the Golden Circle; Honorary Past Grand Princess Commandress, Marie I. Smith Grand Court, Cyrene. Membership in other organizations include: the Tents, Elks, Household of Ruth, and the American Legion Auxilllary. Daughter Bragg joined the ancestors on July 2, 1989 in Washington, DC.
Source: Alline S. Thomas, Recordress of Mecca Court #2, interview with the author, 30 October 1998, Washington, DC; Mecca Court #2, Petition for Creation of Bertha Bragg [1950]; Mecca Court #2, Resolution [for Daughter Bertha Bragg] July 22, 1989.
[7] Daughter Dulcye F. Camp was born on December 23, 1916 in Millport, Alabama. A retired federal employee, she served for more than 20 years as the Illustrious Recordress of Mecca Court #2. She joined the Prince Hall Masonic family in 1951 as a member of Queen Esther #1, Order of the Eastern Star, in the Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, and became Worthy Matron in 1967. She joined Mecca Court #2 on April 20, 1957. Daugther Camp's affiliations include: Imperial Assistant Recordress, Deputy Imperial Directress for Arts and Crafts, Honorary Past Imperial Commandress (1980), Honorary Past Commadnress (1986) Most Ancient Grand Matron (1970) Julia A. Jackson Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, Loyal Lady Ruler (1967) Richard Howell Gleaves Assembly #2, Order of the Golden Circle. Daughter Camp joined the ancestors on October 16, 1991 in Washington, DC
Source: Alline S. Thomas, Recordress of Mecca Court #2, interview with the author, 30 October 1998, Washington, DC; Mecca Court #2, Petition for Creation of Dulcye F. Camp [1957]; Mecca Court #2, Resolution [for Daughter Dulcye F. Camp] October 21, 1991.
[8] Daughter Thelma M. Corbin was born on June 29, 1907. She joined the Prince Hall Masonic family in 1936 when she became a member of Prince Hall Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Star. Mecca Court #2 created Daughter Corbin in August 1941, and elected her Illustrious Comandress in 1949. She held the following positions in the Imperial Court, Daughters of Isis: Imperial Recordress, August 20, 1963 through August, 1966, Imperial Deputy of the Desert for the District of Columbia, Imperial Inside Spy. She was also a Past Loyal Lady Ruler, Richard Howell Gleaves Assembly #2, Order of the Golden Circle. Daughter Corbin joined the ancestors of May 8, 1995 in Washington, DC.
Source: Alline S. Thomas, Recordress of Mecca Court #2, interview with the author, 30 October 1998, Washington, DC; Mecca Court #2, Membership Ledger Card for Thelma M. Corbin [n.d.]; Mecca Court #2, Resolution [for Daughter Thelma M. Corbin] May 10, 1995; Imperial Court, Daughters of Isis, Resolution for Thelma M. Corbin From the Imperial Court, May 9, 1995.
[9] Excerpts from Daughters of Isis [Oasis Court #2] August 5 Minutes, Minutes Book of 1908 [Washington, DC, 1908] as cited in Author unknown, History of Mecca Court #2 [Washington, DC: Mecca Court #2, n.d.] 1.
[10] History of Mecca Court #2, 2
[11] The Masonic Education Team (I1Iinois), The Proper Maintenance of Masonic Organization Records, (Peoria, I1Iinois: The Masonic Education Team, 1989),13.
[12]Darlene Clark Hine, Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia, (New York: Carlson Publishing Inc., 1993).
[13]Mrs. S. Joe Brown, The History of the Order of the Eastern Star Among Colored People (Des Moines, Iowa: The Author, 1925. This work was reprinted in 1997 in the G.K. Hall's African-American Women Writers, 1910-1940 Series. Another history of the Order was published by The Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Grand Chapter (Indiana), The First Century, 1888-1998, researched and compiled by Jane A. Ware, [Indiana]: Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliated, the State of Indiana, 1988.
[14] David Levering Lewis, WE.B. DuBois, Biography o fa Race, 18681919 (New York: H. Holt, 1993).
[15] Francis Smith Foster, Written by Herself: Literary Production by African American Women, 1746-1892, (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993).