Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Ribbon Badge for St. John's Lodge Ladies' Night
1900
Whitehead & Hoag Co.
USA: New Jersey, Newark
Metal, silk, celluloid, enamel
5-7/8"h x 2-3/8"w x 1/4"d
Loaned by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts
GL2004.4700

Gold-tone badge with horizontal pin back. The front of the pin is rectangular with a scrollwork border. In the middle is a celluloid section with blue lettering, "Reception." Hanging from the pin is a white ribbon with gold stamped lettering, "Ladies' Night / St. John's Lodge / A.F. & A.M. / Masonic Temple / Boston / December 3, 1900." Suspended from the ribbon is a round medallion with a celluloid center. In the middle of the celluloid section is a square and compass symbol with a "G" in the center. The medallion has a decorative gold-tone border. There is a maker's mark on the back.

Masonic organizations had a long history of using ribbon badges—called convention badges by manufacturers—at meetings and special events. In 1900, guests to a Ladies’ Night at St. John’s Lodge in Boston wore white ribbon badges, like the one shown here, that functioned as tickets to the reception as well as handsome souvenirs of the evening.