HISTORY

The first World War was over and the United States had decided to stay out of the problems of the World by NOT joining the League of Nations. A period of great prosperity was ushered in with the Roaring Twenties. The Bulls ran Wall Street and women, with their newly attained right to vote, were prepared to run the country. Prohibition was the law of the land, putting speakeasies on every corner. Houses were selling as low as $4,000 with a spacious 18 room edifice on the East Side listed at $11,500. Harris Furs advertised a squirrel cape for $59, and a fine mink coat at $350. The coffee shop at the Crown advertised a full luncheon menu at process between 60¢ & 70¢ .

It was in the era that about 16 people met on December 20, 1920 at the home of Mr. & Mrs. James Lanthrop in East Greenwich to consider forming a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The Grand Secretary, S. Penrose Williams was in attendance. Emil A. Stevens, Past Patron of a Connecticut Chapter was elected Chairman with James Lathrop as Secretary

Our ancestors were busy and determined people. Not only did they hold their first meeting five days before Christmas, but they met again on January 10, 1921, in King Solomon's Lodge Room located on the third floor of the Masonic Building on Main Street. Brother Francis Madison reported that King Solomon's Lodge was pleased to provide the use of their Temple to Adah Chapter FREE! In attendance were Bertha G. Haines, Past Grand Matron & Joseph A. Haines, Grand Patron of Woonsocket Chapter No. 3

A committee was appointed to select a name for the new Chapter. The immediately reported "Adah" and it was so voted. Maude L. Stevens was elected the first Worthy Matron and her husband Emil. A. Stevens the first Worthy Patron. May F. Lathrop was elected as Associate Matron. There was no office of Associate Patron at that time. What the Ritual said back then is not known, but a complete Chapter did NOT require 18.

A membership fee was established at $5.00 with annual dues to be $3.00. If you compare these numbers with the cost of housing and lunch previously mentioned, you know that inflation has never hit the Order of the Eastern Star

On March 14, 1921, Grand patron Frank F. Davis of Philia Chapter No. 13 instituted Adah Chapter, U.D. (The institution was original scheduled for February, but had to be canceled due to a storm.) There were 225 people present in that small, third floor King Solomon's Lodge Room. The meeting was preceded by an oyster supper. The Grand Matron at that time was Sallie C. Simmons, of Queen of Sheba Chapter No. 10. The Degrees were exemplified by the officers of Philia Chapter No. 13 led by Worthy Matron Grace Winsor and Worthy Patron Frank Greehaigh. Forty two people were initiated to become members of this new Chapter.

The growth of Adah Chapter was phenomenal. With so many candidates, the Chapter even met in July to hold initiation. Adah Chapter started with 51 members including affiliates and chapter initiates. By August 31, 1922, a little over a year later, they reported a membership of 185. They were conferring Degrees every month with an average class of 13 plus.

November 7, 1921, was the first Annual Meeting and the Constituting of Adah Chapter No. 15. Approximately the same officers were re-installed at that time; the election was held earlier on the same night and was conducted by then Grand Patron Theodore E. Dexter. It is noted from the first Treasurer’s Report that during the start-up period, about $190.00 was spent on regalia and Chapter supplies and the balance in the treasury was $27.40

On March 20, 1922, an O.E.S. Social Club was formed consisting of men and women. We know this organization today as Adah Social Club. Through the years it has become an organization of Sisters who have continued to support the Chapter and many civic projects.

On October 17, 1927, Adah Chapter entertained Providence Assembly No. 1, Order of Rainbow for Girls for the exemplification of their Degree Work. Subsequently the Chapter voted to sponsor a Rainbow Assembly and to give the Assembly its first set of Officers' Jewels. The Charter Class of thirty girls was initiated on May 25, 1928, at Varnum Armory, East Greenwich by Providence Assembly. The first officers were installed in June of that year, and East Greenwich Assembly No. 4 was granted its charter on December 7, 1928. The Assembly has always been a source of price to Adah Chapter. Members of East Greenwich Assembly have attained the highest honors of Rainbow and the Order of the Eastern Star in Rhode Island.

January 6, 1932 saw the formation of the Past Matrons & Past Patrons Association of Adah Chapter. Once again we went back to Maude L. Stevens, of first Worthy Matron, our first Mother Advisor, and the first Grand Matron of Adah Chapter, to serve as the first President of the association.

April 18, 1938, was the only time in the history of Adah Chapter that the Worthy matron did not preside at her inspection. That matron, Marjorie W. Hart, was absent because her mother dies the night before

During the Second World War, Adah Chapter worked closely with the Red Cross, sponsored hostesses at the USO, participated in many other war efforts, and gave up having refreshments after the meetings due to rationing. During the Wartime Years, it was customary for the Associate Patron to present the Flag in the East at each meeting. We were also corresponding with Adah Chapter No. 242 of Queensland, Australia and Ebba Chapter No. 24 of Newcastle on Tyne, England during this period

For the first 50 years Adah Chapter often found King Solomon's Temple on Main Street too small for important functions such as installations and Inspections. Other sites used for the special nights were the Varnum Armory, the Old Star Theater Hall, Odd Fellows Hall, and Ruth Chapter's meeting place in Riverpoint. Then in 1967, we began to meet regularly in the new King Solomon's Temple on Division Street. More recently, we began meeting at the Westminster Unitarian Church after King Solomon's Lodge was put up for sale

Adah Chapter No. 15, Order of the Eastern Star, located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island is proud to be a part of the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men belong. We look forward to the challenges of the future knowing that fidelity, constancy, faith and love will continue to guide us during the twenty-first century.