Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Knights Templar Ribbon Badge, Apollo No. 1, Chicago, Illinois
1895
Maker not marked
Maker not marked
Metal, ribbon, bullion, celluloid
overall: 10-1/2"h x 3"w x 1/2"d
Gift of Alexander A. Bird
2005.031.130

Masonic Knights Templar ribbon badge. Celluiloid pin bar says "Illinois" and has black satin ribbon hung below, bullion fringe hung from bottom edge. Pinned to black ribbon is smaller black and white ribbon, hung from smaller pin bar embossed with "Apollo No. 1," and suspending a medallion below. Printing on smaller ribbon says: "Apollo/ No. 1/ K.T./ Chicago/ Boston, Aug. 26, 95."

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.