Bench for Odd Fellows building displayed at bank
STROKE OF LUCK — That’s what members of the New Richland Area Historical Society felt about finding an authentic Odd Fellows bench, whose original purpose remains a mystery. It’s currently on display at State Bank of New Richland, with employees pictured above from left, Matt Harrington, Jean Billing and Jenny Thompson. (Star Eagle photo by Carrie Gilbertson)
By CARRIE GILBERTSON
Staff Writer
The New Richland Historical Society has acquired its latest piece of history intended for the new library, an Independent Order of Odd Fellows Bench. Currently, the artifact is being stored in the State Bank of New Richland. It will remain there until the Odd Fellows building renovation is completed.
According to Barb Wildgrube, co-founder of the New Richland Area Historical Society and Chairperson for the New Richland Historic Preservation Commission, funding for the purchase was donated by the New Richland Area Foundation and By the Grace of God Fund. Both groups donated money to the purchase of furniture for the renovated building. This particular piece is intended for the lobby.
“We expect this to be the huge statement piece,” said Wildgrube.
When the renovation is completed, the bench will be among other artifacts on display, but they expect that it will be the only authentic piece of Odd Fellows furniture they will be able to find.
The acquisition of the bench was a stroke of luck. Area resident Steve Schroeder saw the artifact on the auction Web site K-Bid.
He made contact with the groups advising on the renovation to inquire if they were interested in the item. After it was purchased, the State Bank of New Richland agreed to store the bench until it will be moved to its final place in the lobby of the library, hopefully early spring 2013.
The history surrounding the bench itself is somewhat mysterious. The Odd Fellows were a public presence in the communities they inhabited, but there remains much secrecy about what actually went on in the meetings of the group itself.
They have been compared to groups such as the Freemasons, which some have called a secret society. Wildgrube said all she knows with certainty is that the bench was used by the leaders of the group, though she isn’t aware whether it was for meetings or rituals.
Emblazoned above each seat of the three-person “throne” is an emblem of three inter-connected rings. The rings stand for the three principles of the organization: Friendship, Love and Truth.
The Odd Fellows began in New Richland in 1880. They commissioned architect H.A. Paine from Albert Lea to build the current building in 1902.
As area residents attempt to resurrect this part of New Richland’s history, we should expect to see more about this group. This particular bench may in fact be historical, but that doesn’t mean it’s off limits.
“We expect it to be used,” said Wildgrube.