Past Sessions

1980 Dove of PeaceDo you enjoy learning about history? If so, below you will find interesting changes in the history of the Wisconsin Grand Chapter – Order of the Eastern Star.

History ~ Past Sessions

Our Silver Years 1890 – 1915
Our Golden Years 1916 – 1940
Our Diamond Years 1941 – 1965
Our Centennial Years 1966 – 1990
The Next Years…1991-

~~~~~ Our Silver Years 1890 – 1915 ~~~~~

1891 First Convention

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1891
Constitution
Rules of Order
Rules and Regulations
Penal Code

1891 – 1892 Second Convention
1892 – 1893 Third Convention
1893 – 1894 Fourth Convention
1894 – 1895 Fifth Convention
1895 – 1896 Sixth Convention
1896 – 1897 Seventh Convention
1897 – 1898 Eighth Convention
1898 – 1899 Ninth Convention
1899 – 1900 Tenth Convention
1900 – 1901 Eleventh Convention
1901 – 1902 Twelfth Convention
1902 – 1903 Thirteenth Convention
1903 – 1904 Fourteenth Convention
1904 – 1905 Fifteenth Convention
1905 – 1906 Sixteenth Convention
1906 – 1907 Seventeenth Convention
1907 – 1908 Eighteenth Convention
1908 – 1909 Nineteenth Convention
1909 – 1910 Twentieth Convention
1910 – 1911 Twenty-First Convention
1911 – 1912 Twenty-Second Convention
1912 – 1913 Twenty-Third Convention
1913 – 1914 Twenty-Fourth Convention
1914 – 1915 Twenty-Fifth Convention

DID YOU KNOW?

On February 19, 1891 representatives of the first ten Chapters under Charter by the Most Worthy Grand Patron of General Grand Chapter assembled in Milwaukee by invitation of the Worthy Matron, Worthy Patron and Associate Matron of Milwaukee Chapter No. 2 to organize a Grand Chapter of Wisconsin.
During this time Grand Representatives were appointed to be the liaisons between Grand Jurisdictions. At this time each Chapter was allowed only three Rituals; none to be sold to members. District Conventions were scheduled throughout the state at which time a school of instruction was held and the Ritualistic work exemplified.
The presentation of the American Flag was added to our Opening Ceremony for the first time in 1898 and the Flag was given a place of honor in the Chapter.
Each Subordinate Chapter was responsible for a donation to the Wisconsin Masonic Home.
In 1905 it was decided to change the time of the Annual Session from February to early Fall.
In 1909 an assistant to the Worthy Grand Matron was appointed to be know as Deputy Grand Lecturer; this was the fore runner of our present Grand Lecturer.
A Red Book of Instructions for floor work was first printed in 1912.
The 25th Anniversary of the Order in Wisconsin was observed with a special banquet and outstanding entertainment at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

~~~~~Our Golden Years 1916 – 1940~~~~~
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1915 – 1916 Twenty-Sixth
1916 – 1917 Twenty-Seventh
1917 – 1918 Twenty-Eighth
1918 – 1919 Twenty-Ninth
1919 – 1920 Thirtieth
1920 – 1921 Thirty-First
1921 – 1922 Thirty-Second
1922 – 1923 Thirty-Third
1923 – 1924 Thirty-Fourth
1924 – 1925 Thirty-Fifth
1925 – 1926 Thirty-Sixth
1926 – 1927 Thirty-Seventh
1927 – 1928 Thirty-Eighth
1928 – 1929 Thirty-Ninth
1929 – 1930 Fortieth
1930 – 1931 Forty-First
1931 – 1932 Forty-Second
1932 – 1933 Forty-Third
1933 – 1934 Forty-Fourth
1934 – 1935 Forty-Fifth
1935 – 1936 Forty-Sixth
1936 – 1937 Friendship Session
1937 – 1938 Forty-Eighth
1938 – 1939 Forty-Ninth
1939 – 1940 Golden Jubilee

DID YOU KNOW?

During World War I all members of the Order who were in the service of our country were exempt from the payment of dues and the Subordinate Chapters did not have to pay per capita tax for them.
In 1919 it was voted to build a hospital at the Masonic Home at Dousman and the cornerstone was laid in 1923.
The largest convention held in Wisconsin to date was in 1920.
A committee was appointed in 1926 to recommend a form of Introduction of Guests at Grand Chapter and in Subordinate Chapters.
The Ritual of our Order was materially changed so that by January 1, 1930 the new Ritual was to be used exclusively.
Grand Pages were used for the first time in 1931.
The position of the Ballot Box on the Alter was changed from the right side of the Bible to the left.
During this time the mileage allowance was raised from 3 1/2 cents to 5 cents per mile.
Due to the Depression many Chapters were unable to pay their per capita tax because the banks closed.
At the 1936 Grand Chapter Session, the motion was adopted that $1 per member be paid to the International Eastern Star Temple in Washington, D.C. At this Session, Sister Helen M. Laflin, the first Grand Secretary retired after 46 years of service.
The first Session to be given a special name, “Friendship Session” was in 1937, and the first theme march, “Queen Esther March” was in 1938.
The Wisconsin state flag was presented for the first time at the Session in 1938, and the Eastern Star flag for the first time in 1939.

~~~~~Our Diamond Years 1941 – 1965 ~~~~~
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1940 – 1941 Cathedral Session
1941 – 1942 Ruth Session
1942 – 1943 Always Faithful
1943 – 1944 Liberty Year
1944 – 1945 Peace
1945 – 1946 Faith of a Nation
1946 – 1947 Good Neighbor
1947 – 1948 Faith
1948 – 1949 Faith, Hope and Love
1949 – 1950 World Harmony
1950 – 1951 Star-Light
1951 – 1952 Carillon of Peace
1952 – 1953 Weaving of the Jewel
1953 – 1954 Green Cathedral
1954 – 1955 Fingertip
1955 – 1956 Golden Rule
1956 – 1957 Light and Love
1957 – 1958 Era of Harmony
1958 – 1959 Galaxy of Stars
1959 – 1960 Seek Ye the Way
1960 – 1961 Heritage
1961 – 1962 Harbor
1962 – 1963 Chapel Bell
1963 – 1964 Understanding Heart
1964 – 1965 Diamond Jubilee

DID YOU KNOW?

At Grand Chapter, exemplification of the work was given by officers selected from Subordinate Chapters.
At another Session the 1867 Ritual work was exemplified by past and present matrons of Wisconsin who wore traditional costumes.
General Grand Chapter permitted Chapters to pay their full International Temple fund quotas through the purchase of War Bonds.
War Bonds sold amounting to $86,681.25 enabled Wisconsin Grand Chapter to purchase an airplane (the Badger Star OES) which was delivered during the 1943 Session.
During the war years members provided many hours of volunteer service.
Special projects were instituted by several Worthy Grand Matrons during this period. One was to provide funds for the training of a guide dog and its owner.
Official Visits were conducted by line officers and the appointed Grand officers with the exception of the Grand Sentinel.
The District Deputy system went into effect.
Dual Membership was adopted.
Exemplification of the work with explanations by the Grand Lecturer was started during this time.

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~~~~~Our Centennial Years 1966 – 1990~~~~~
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1965 – 1966 Starland Rays
1966 – 1967 Happiness
1967 – 1968 Melody of the Stars
1968 – 1969 Living Star
1969 – 1970 Signet
1970 – 1971 Crown of Life
1971 – 1972 God’s Garden of Love
1972 – 1973 Rose
1973 – 1975 Loving Kindness Session
1975 – 1976 American Way
1976 – 1977 Our Spinning Blue World
1977 – 1978 The Guiding Angel
1978 – 1979 Beyond the Blue Horizon
1979 – 1980 Dove of Peace
1980 – 1981 Melody of Love
1981 – 1982 Wings of Joy
1982 – 1983 Pathways of Light
1983 – 1984 Showers of Blessings
1984 – 1985 – Chapel of the Chimes
1985 – 1986 Gateway to Unity
1986 – 1987 Bridges of Love
1987 – 1988 Angel of Faith
1988 – 1989 Bells of Peace
1989 – 1990 Treasured Memories

DID YOU KNOW?

The fiscal year of Grand Chapter and Subordinate Chapters was changed.
All Subordinate Chapter by-laws were brought up to date.
An insurance program for Eastern Star Chapters and members was approved by Grand Chapter.
Wisconsin’s Subordinate Chapters achieved 100% status in the International Temple Fund.
A new health Care Center was built at Dousman and the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin funded one wing.
A Masonic Home Assessment was voted on.
Approval was granted to Past Matrons and Past Patrons of Subordinate Chapters to vote at Grand Chapter.
The Registration Fee at Grand Chapter was raised to $3.
After several years of trial, the District Deputy system was adopted in 1972.
A computer system was purchased for the Grand Chapter office.
Our state now has state-wide territorial jurisdiction.
An Eastern Star float was made for use by anyone for parades.
A Long Range Planning Committee as approved to assist OES future.
A new Red Book was printed.
Chapter Accomplishment Awards in the form of plaques was begun. To encourage participation within the Chapter and visitations among Chapters, pins are awarded to members.
The Grand Chapter office moved to Dousman; sharing space in the former Infirmary building with offices of Grand Lodge F.&A.M., Consistory and the Masonic Journal.
Grand Chapter now meets in four cities, ie., Milwaukee, Madison, Lacrosse and Green Bay.
The 100th year of OES and the 100th Session of OES are celebrated.