Badge

Object Name:

Badge

Object ID:

1995.083.09

Creator:

St. Louis Button Company -- Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

St. Louis, MO

Date:

1900-1925

Description:

Red Men's Council Badge. Ribbon and pendant on metal (tin-plate?) pin. Printed paper insert, blue ink, "MEMBER". Wide satin ribbon of green, blue, and red vertical stripes, text on gold ink, "CONNECTICUT VALLEY / RED MEN'S / COUNCIL / IMP'D O.R.M." Cast metal medallion shows eagle with "TOTE" on shield over teepee, bow with quiver of arrows, hafted ax, pipe, dagger, and paddle (or torch?), over the words "FREEDOM", "FRIENDSHIP", "CHARITY". Maker's mark in relief on medallion back: "ST. LOUIS / BUTTON CO."

Material:

Metal
Textile
Paper
Tin

Dimensions:

H-4.1 W-1.9 D-0.25 inches

Provenance:

Badges originally belonged to Nettie M. C. White (1862-1951) of Deerfield, NH.

The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization that formed in 1834 in North America. Following a motto of "Freedom, Friendship, and Charity," its members adopted pseudo-indigenous names, practices, and regalia. Local lodges or "tribes" existed in nearly every state by the early twentieth century. The first lodge in New Hampshire, Paugus Tribe, No. 1, organized in May 1875 at Rollinsford, and before the end of the year was joined by "tribes" in Dover and Rochester. By June 1892 there were 21 "tribes" comprising 2,221 members in the state.

Credit Line:

Gift of Cameron Clifford

People:

White, Nettie M. C. (1862-1951)

Subjects:

Axes, Badges, Bow & arrows, Daggers & swords, Eagle, Medallions, Pendants (Jewelry), Pipes (Smoking), Ribbon badges, Ribbons, Shields, Teepees