1926 - 1939 financial ledger cover detached. Minute book covers are warped and stained
Conservation
Treated for mildew
History / Biography
The Vivian Lodge of I.O.O.F. in Arnprior was one of several in the Ottawa Valley including Marion Lodge Renfrew, Alba Lodge Pakenham and Amity Lodge Prescott. Vivian Lodge No. 146 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was instituted in Arnprior on July 21 1874. The chartered members of the lodge were W. T. Walker, R. G. Moles, G. Maynard, E. A. Bates and G. I. Glass.
When first formed, meetings were held on the third floor of the J. S. Moir building on John Street (above Robertson's furniture store). In 1944, the lodge members bought the stone house on Daniel Street from the Grierson family. After renovating the building, it was opened in May 1945 with over 250 members attending. Lodge meetings were held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
The goals of the I.O.O.F. is to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan." Specifically, I.O.O.F. are dedicated to the following purposes:
To improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice.
To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other in times of need and by organizing charitable projects and activities that would benefit the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment and the community in every way possible.
To promote good will and harmony amongst peoples and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters
To promote a wholesome fraternal experience without violence, vices and discrimination of every form.
Vivian Lodge No. 146 sponsored a wheel chair and hospital bed program, providing these free of charge on a loan basis as well supporting an Eye Bank in Toronto. The order had a youth program which sponsored a youth in a United Nations Camp each summer. They also provided low interest rate loans to students whose parents were members of the IOOF, to further their education. The Vivian Lodge and sister organization the Rebekahs worked closely together on various projects such as the fight against cancer, tuberculosis and polio. Money was raised by annual tag days, game nights, catering teas and card parties etc.
In 1969, the I.O.O.F.'s of Ontario celebrated it's centennial year. At that time the officers were as follows:
Noble Grand; Milton Symington, Vice-Grand; W. E. Bayford, Treasurer; Wm. C. Johnston; Secretary; Wm. J. Melanson.
Acquisition Source
Anonymous donation made in 2005
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a leather bound ledger containing the Minutes of the International Order of Oddfellows (I.O.O.F.) Vivial Lodge No. 146 from 1895-1907 and financial reports in two small ledgers for 1916-1921 and 1926-1939.
Notes
Historical information obtained from Arnprior Guide Special Edition "Face of Arnprior" pg 16. February 1969