Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Knights Templar Wisconsin Commandery No. 1 Badge for 1895 Triennial
1895
Maker not marked
USA
Metal, silk
overall: 4-3/8"h x 1-1/2"w x 1/2"d
Gift of the Estate of John A. Waterhouse
2011.063.424

Gold-tone Masonic Knights Templar Wisconsin Commandery No. 1 badge with horizontal pin back. Front of pin is shaped like a badger. Hanging from the pin is a striped black and white ribbon stamped in gold "Wisconsin No. 1 / Boston / 1895." Suspended from the bottom of the ribbon is a round gold-tone medallion. One side shows a city along a body of water in the middle. Lettering along the edge reads "Souvenir of the Cream City Milwaukee Bay." The other side shows a triangle with Christian cross and crown motif in the center. Lettering along the triangle reads "Wisconsin Com'd. No. 1 Milwaukee."

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.