1937 Gold Lion Banner OSIA 1809

Another item from our lodge that is currently at the Black Diamond Historical Museum. If anyone knows who made our banner and the year, I'd love to include more about it here.

In the OSIA initiation ritual, there is reference to the golden lion. "Upon what principles is our order based?" "On the principles of LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and FRATERNITY, and its insignia is a Golden Lion on a white field." 

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) was founded on June 22, 1905 at 203 Grand Street in New York City. An Italian immigrant, Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro, and five compatriots; pharmacist Ludovico Ferrari, attorney Antonio Marzullo, sculptor Giuseppe Carlino and barbers Pietro Viscardi and Robert Merlo, created the organization to unite men and women of Italian heritage under one banner in order to preserve and disseminate the large cultural heritage of Italy. They also felt a need to promote and advance their progress everywhere within the framework of American society. - OSIA New York

1937 Dispensa OSIA 1809 Black Diamond, WA

Check out the Member Center.

5/11/2020 There is a new post in the Member Center. Take a look. Click on "Member Center" above.

Welcome to the History Blog of Lodge 1809

This blog is about the history of our lodge and has been in the works for a long time.  It hadn't moved to the top of my priority list until now. Why now? Because the world is dealing with COVID-19. The virus has caused the cancellation of our lodge meetings and our physical contact with each other; something none of us would have imagined. 

Let me introduce myself: I am Barbara Benedetti Newton, a direct descendant of Frederick and Rose Benedetti, two of our lodge Charter Members.  I became the Historian for our lodge a few years ago and I had grand plans for this history blog. 

My goal was to start at the beginning, in 1937. I hoped to create an entertaining and informational story of our lodge and the early members.  I just haven't gotten around to it until now. Recently, it occurred to me that we are making lodge history right now by being isolated from one another. I hope this blog can serve as a meeting place until we are able to meet again in person.

The Member Center

Click on the Member Center link at top left of this page to see photos and greetings from our brothers and sisters in lodge #1809. Send your photos and greetings to me for inclusion. 

Follow by Email

To receive an email notice of posts to this blog, both History and Member Center news, fill in your email address in the "Follow by Email" option in the sidebar, top, right. 

1937  From January through May of 1937, all who registered were listed on the official Charter of Members of Black Diamond Lodge 1809, hand calligraphed and embellished by J. Rigo. Members are listed in alphabetical order. This original Charter is on display at the Black Diamond Historical Society Museum, Black Diamond, Washington.