Richmond Lodge, No. 581, Benevolent and Protective Order of ElksRichmond Lodge, No. 581, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Name: Richmond Lodge, No. 581, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Historical Note: The local Elks Lodge No.581 (officially the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) was chartered in June 1900. A. Wilkes Smith was the first Exalted Ruler. In addition to fellowship, the lodge provided for members’ families in times of need. It also conducted charitable programs locally and around the state. Among its projects was sponsorhip of youth sports leagues and purchase of a mobile clinic that once traveled around the state conducting tuberculosis tests. Membership declined so much in recent years that the organization lost its charter in March 2015 and the Elks Building was sold soon after.
Sources: Madison's Heritage (8 Sep 1971) and Richmond Register (16 Apr 2015).
Records or Manuscript Collections Created by Richmond Lodge, No. 581, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks