Our Story.
Excelsior Chapter was instituted March 6th, 1888, with 30 charter members - 14 years after the Blue Lodge was instituted in 1874.
The members held their meeting in a small brick building on Water Street near Third St. The first officers installed were:
Mrs. Mary Meeker, WM
Mr. A.S.Dimond, WP
Mrs. Rilla Slater, AM
Mrs. Lily Mason, Sec
Mrs. Elizabeth Eddy, Treas
Owing to the fire of Dec. 30, 1894, in which building and contents were destroyed, including the records, Brothers Leslie Ball and Adrian Apgar saved the robes and jewels, the Chapter was forced to begin all over again and by special dispensation they met temporarily in another building across the street, until the Apgar building was completed. Their furniture 'was composed of dry goods boxes and small borrowed chairs, At this time the records show that some help was given by Sister Chapters, Lorraine, Plymouth and Minnehaha, each sending 15.00, and Granite Chapter of St. Cloud sent $2.00, Brother Mason made our beautiful Altar and Pedestals, which we are still using. Mrs. Alice Willard was Matron at some time during these years, The Chapter met on Feb. 4, 1895, following the fire, in another building on Water Street - between 2nd and 3rd St., - owners not known. By-Laws of Subordinate Chapters in Grand Chapter Proceedings were used until Secretary could complete and have adopted their own Chapter By-Laws.
During the year 1894 Excelsior had put on an entertainment called the Floral Work or Floral Addenda. This was written by Lorraine J. Pitkin, for whom Lorraine Chapter in Minneapolis, was named. Singing and beautiful figure marching was led by Prof. Malcolm, who drilled these sisters who were dressed in white and gold Grecian robes. This entertainment was given at Grand Chapter, also by request, in Chapter room of No. 9, in Minneapolis., where admission was charged, the Excelsior ladies coming home with $150.00 cash, which was a good bit of money in those days.
The Quartet was composed of Brother and Sister Purchase, Brother Willard and Sister Mann. Sisters Estelle Apgar and Agnes Seamans sang the Duet, Ruth and Naomi,
Excelsior Chapter has seven names listed in books, who are entitled to Grand Chapter Credentials, they are:
Sister Lily Mason, Assoc Gr Matron
Sister Alice Willard, Gr Cond
Sister Stella Apgar Slocum, Gr Org
Sister Della Eddy Gerth, Gr Ruth
Sister Hattie Sampson Bost, Gr Martha
Sister Ethel Montgomery, Gr Esther
Brother Wm. Mason, Gr Warder
The new Temple was completed and occupied during the month of December, 1926, the Masons very kindly allowing the Stars to hold the first meeting, when daughters of Past Matrons and Patrons were initiated into the Order, Many gifts were presented to the Stars and Masons, including Oil Paintings, rugs, draperies, lamps, drinking fountain, chairs, stands, mirrors, Bible, Altar Cloth, linens, china, silver, piano, electric range, percolator, steel range, and a large quantity of kitchen utensils and equipment. Signet was presented Nov. 21, 1928.