There are plenty of old historical buildings around the West Coast. This one in Reefton is on the corner of an intersection was constructed in 1872 as a gathering place for people in the community.
If you don't know much about the Oddfellows organization, from the information I've looked up it seems they are similar to the masons with their lodges. So originally the Oddfellows here in New Zealand had the purpose of providing workers and their families with financial and other assistance before government departments were invented. The first lodge was formed in 1862 with members being people such as politicians and leaders in society who had the power to develop the country.
When social legislation came about here such as welfare grants etc, there was a decline in the membership. Apparently the organization still continues to quietly help not just families but also charities and hospices.
Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, All Seasons and Wordless Wednesday.
9 comments:
I believe they were a bit like a cooperative bank/building society - pay in when you can, draw out when you need to. However, as you mention they were based in the idea of being a 'mutual' - the idea that you knew the other members and the whole scheme was built on mutual trust.
I think we have Oddfellows in Sweden as well. Can't say I really know much (if anything!) about them, though.
That is a good facade well preserved
A great initiative indeed.
I didn't know what oddfellows were and wrote a post about in when in lockdown and I thought I was on to a mystery...Lockdown did not work for me at all - ha!
Nice that Oddfellows Hall standing on that sloping road. Great header, too.
...the Odd Fellows (or Oddfellows; also Odd Fellowship or Oddfellowship is an international fraternity consisting of lodges first documented in 1730 in London! We have them here too.
What a cool building and an interesting name!
Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/02/le-musee-dart-sacre.html
Not sure on the seasonsal link here. #Allseasons
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