Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Independent Order of St. Luke Records
Independent Order of St. Luke (Blacksburg, Va.)
Ms.1988.121
1.1 Cubic Feet
3 boxes
1877-1970
The bulk of the materials in the Independent Order of St. Luke Records, a social-welfare organization for African Americans, consist of handbooks, correspondence, receipts, programs, membership records, annual reports, and assessment reports of the Order, collected primarily from members in Blacksburg, Virginia. Also includes the minutes (1920-1938) of the Blacksburg chapters of the Busy Bee and Maggie L. Walker (Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke) Circles.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Independent Order of St. Luke, Ms1988-121, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Independent Order of St. Luke Records was completed in April 1991. Additional work was completed in 2001.
Administrative History
The Right Worthy Grand Council Independent Order of St. Luke was established in 1867 by Mary Prout of Baltimore, Maryland. It was organized to "promote the general welfare of society by uniting fraternally Negro persons of good moral character who are physically, morally, and socially acceptable, to educate and assist its members in thrift, to create and maintain funds out of which members...may receive benefits for themselves or their beneficiaries, [and] to provide death benefit protection to members" (Rules and Regulations handbook, 1933).
Scope and Content
The bulk of the materials in the Independent Order of St. Luke Records consist of handbooks, correspondence, receipts, programs, membership records, annual reports, and assessment reports of the Order, collected primarily from members in Blacksburg, Virginia. Also includes the minutes (1920-1938) of the Blacksburg chapters of the Busy Bee and Maggie L. Walker (Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke) Circles.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into two series, Records and Oversize Materials, then arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Independent Order of St. Luke by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
African Americans -- History
Blacksburg (Va.)
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Montgomery County (Va.)
Series I. Records1877-1969Rules and Regulations Handbooks1877, 1894, 1906, 1933, n.d.11Receipts, Cancelled Checks, and Bank Statements1912, 1921, 1954, 1963-1968, n.d.12Honor Roll: Councils That Have Added Ten New Members1915-191613Correspondence1916-192814Checkbooks and Stubs1916-1918, 1963-196415Miscellaneous1919-1923, 1941, 1949, 1969, n.d.16Postcards (receipts)1920s, 1939, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s17Minutes of the Blacksburg Busy Bee and Maggie L. Walker Circles1920-193818Death Claims Paid Booklet1921-192319Financial Report1921, 1923110Doctors' Excuses1921-1934111Convention Souvenir Programs1923, 1927112Membership Payment Records1923-1937113Regalia Catalog1924114Bank Statements1925-1938, 1965-196721Returned Checks1927, 1934, 1963-196822Monthly Report Sheets1928-1929, n.d.23Excuses for Absences1930, 1936, n.d.24Correspondence (including correspondence to Annie Scott)1931-194925"Fraternal Monitor"1931, 1960, 196426By-Laws193327Annual Report193528Proof of Death Instructions194029Lapse Reports1943, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958210Empty Envelopes (correspondence to Annie Scott and Christine Price)1946-1950, 1960-1963211"Fraternal Bulletin"1947-1958212VPI Electric Bill Receipts1950, 1951, 1964, 1965, 1966213Correspondence (to Annie Scott through 1963; to Christine Price, 1964-1969)1950-1969214Phone Bill1950215"Dunne's Report" Pamphlets1962-1967216Annual Statement1959-1960217Meeting Minutes1962, n.d.218Centennial Calendar (1867-1967)1967219Price Listsn. d.220Applications for Transfern. d.221Representatives Certificaten. d.222Special Dispensation Blank Formsn. d.223Legal Division Formn. d.224Legal Reserve Division (blank applications)n. d.225Notice of Death Forms (blank)n. d.226Juvenile Department Application Forms (blank)n. d.227Series II. Oversize Materials1936-1970Assessment Reports1936-196331Semi-Annual Tax Reports1937-196332Assessment Reports1964-197033