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there on March 4, 1901. Occupancy of these premises continued after the Bank of Brunswick was

chartered in 1915 and for the next 40 years, although there were several efforts to find another site during that time. In 1953 the Lodge started negotiations to acquire the "West End School" property on Brunswick Street. After its bid was accepted by the Board of Education, the Lodge embarked on an extensive program of repair and renovation. The first meeting in the new hall was held on May 11, 1955, and official dedication ceremonies were held on September 23, 1955. In 1957 the Lodge made space available in its basement for the local Civil Air Patrol group, and in 1958, sold the eastern portion of the property as the site for Brunswick's Post Office. Brunswick Public Library occupied at first one, and later, two rooms at the cast end of the first floor of the old school building from 1962 until March 1989. Those premises were then rented to Brunswick Memorial Post No. 10421 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Brunswick Lodge No 191, AF&AM, conducted cornerstone-laying ceremonies for the following Brunswick projects: August 20, 1893, Presbyterian Church on "A" Street; October 23, 1894, New York Hill Methodist Church; July 4, 1904, Red Mens Hall, West Potomac Street; July 9, 1907, Methodist Episcopal Church, Maryland Avenue (reconstruction); July 28, 1908, First Baptist Church, "A" Street; and May 31, 1922, Grace Episcopal Church, "A" Street. W. Carlos Myers, a Pastmaster of Brunswick Lodge, prepared a history of the local lodge. In additi?n to supplying most of this material: it ~lso co~tam~d, among many others, the following mterestmg bits of information: • At a meeting on March 10, 1892, payment of 81 cents was auth rized to B&O RR for freight charges on a box of l ,lumns. • The bill for Ch, rter Night Banquet on May 26, 1892 was $18.90 pl ,s $2.50 for ten meals furnished to visiting brothers. • Paid $1.75 on February 22, 1912 to S. H. Bennett for a stove for the lodge room. (Sold the stove November 22, 1922 for $5). • Accepted a proposal from Harpers Ferry Electric Company to furnish lights at $1.50 per month on September 12, 1912. • Paid 25 cents for a coal hod and 10 cents for a fire shovel on November 25, 1915. S - W. Carlos Myers W -I3RH

ORDER OF EASTERN STAR BRUNSWICK CHAPTER #97 Brunswick Chapter #97, Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted on October 17, 1931, with 22 members present. It was duly constituted on April 20, 1932. Gifts presented to the chapter were a Star, a gift from Brother Beck, and the emblem for "Ruth," presented by Past Matron Sister Thomas, of Areme Chapter. The first officers were Mabel Beck, Worthy Matron; William H. Campbell, Worthy Patron; Myra Edmonds, Associate Matron; Francis Edmonds, Associate Patron. Areme Chapter #58, Sharpsburg, is the Mother Chapter, and Olive Branch Chapter #34, Keedysville, is the Grandmother Chapter. Grant Visitation on November 7, 1951, under the leadership of Mary Hovet, Worthy Matron, Brunswick, had the largest attendance reported, 200 members and visitors. In 1953 Brunswick Chapter furnished the kitchen in the newly purchased Masonic Temple. In 1955 the new Temple was completed and at the first meeting there a White Cross was presented to Brunswick Chapter, a gift from Marie and Harry Huffer. A minstrel was formed to entertain the Masons. The various ways of making money over a period of 25 years included selling Easter flowers, cakes and dyed eggs; selling items like aprons, towels, scrubbers, dish cloths, vanilla; sponsoring card parties, round robin parties, white elephant parties, dances, rummage sales, friendly baskets; serving wedding receptions and chicken waffle dinners; and having food stands at various events. Many members have represented Brunswick Chapter at the Grand Chapter Sessions in Baltimore. On April 21, 1937, Brother Campbell was Grand Sentinel of the Grand Chapter of Maryland, Order of the Eastern Star. Kathryn Litten was Page for Grand Chapter in April 1939. Hazel Goode was appointed Grand Representative to Alberta at Grand Chapter in 1949. Millie Burch was in the Necrology Service in 1953. Marie Huffer was a Page to the 1956 Grand Chapter. The Order has a detailed History of the many members who have represented the Brunswick Chapter at the Grand Chapter sessions in Baltimore. This organization has had manyvisitationsover the years and many worthwhile projects. S - Chapter #97 History W-MMM

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