Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic DeMolay Crown of Youth
1953
Mac & Jack
USA: Massachusetts, Saugus
Brass, synthetic fiber velvet, glass, plastic
overall: 9-1/8"h x 11"dia.; 23.1775 x 27.94 cm
Gift of Middlesex Chapter, Order of DeMolay, Reading, Massachusetts
2000.034.3

Masonic DeMolay Crown of Youth; brass and red velvet (likely synthetic) ceremonial crown; brass exterior headband with seven arches meeting at top of crown; seven glass jewels hang from each arch; red velvet interior; green jewel is substitute for missing original; brass plaques on base: "Presented to/ Middlesex Chapter/ by the/ Mother's Club/ on/ 30th Anniversary/ 1923-1953"; and "In memory of Dad/ Herbert K. Miller/ Let us not forget/ Demolay's best friend" Photo of Miller in Archives; and "Made by/ Mac & Jack/ Saugus"; in cutlass-shaped plaque "DeMolay"; in shield shaped plaque "D M" with star and cresent moon.

In 1919, Frank S. Land established the Order of De Molay, a Masonic organization for teenaged boys, to encourage the “… development of good citizenship and sound character….” A Masonic advisor, called “Dad,” directs each chapter. The Middlesex Chapter received this crown, displayed during ritual, in memory of advisor Herbert Miller. Each of the crown’s hanging jewels represents a different virtue valued by the group, such as courtesy, fidelity or filial love. For further information, see blog post, June 5, 2019, https://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2019/06/the-demolay-centennial-anniversary.html