Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Knights Templar Ribbon Badge, Peninsular Commandery No. 8, Kalamazoo, Michigan
1895
Whitehead & Hoag Co.
USA: New Jersey, Newark
Ribbon, metal, celluloid, bullion
overall: 9-1/2"h x 3"w x 1/2"d
Gift of Alexander A. Bird
2005.031.98

Masonic Knights Templar ribbon badge. A black and a white ribbon hang from pin bar, which has celluloid plate with "Kalamazoo" printed in it. There is a celluloid and metal disc hanging from the shorter white ribbon, which is festooned with crossed US and KT flags and has gold printing which says: "26th/ Triennial/ Conclave/ Boston/ 1895.". Gold printing below disc says: "Peninsular/ Commandery, No. 8,/ Stationed at/ Kalamazoo, Mich./ Grand Encampment/ Knights Templar". Bullion fringe hangs at bottom.

Ribbons and badges have long been ubiquitous at Masonic gatherings. These souvenirs identified participants and their affiliations, commemorated a range of different kinds of meetings, ceremonies, and galas, and were a clear way for members to declare support for their Masonic group.