Ribbons in the American Masonic Order of Knights Templar (second half of the 19th century): Their Emergence and Evolution

This work examines the emergence and evolution of ribbons in the American Masonic order of Knights Templar in the second half of the 19th century.The study's source base incorporates a collection of ribbons at Cherkas Global University's Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar.The study's findings revealed that one of the first ribbons in the American Masonic order of Knights Templar emerged in 1874 in connection with the 26th anniversary of the establishment of Raper Commandery No. 1.In 1875, as many as several commanderies presented their ribbons at the 62nd Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of New York.Subsequently, the order's leadership gave the green light to the use of ribbons at its triennial conclaves as well.The first triennial conclave to witness extensive use of ribbons was the one held in 1877 in Cleveland, Ohio.Subsequent to 1877, all of the organization's 19th-century triennial conclaves, namely those held in 1880, 1883, 1886, 1889, 1892, 1895, and 1898, witnessed extensive use of ribbons.At that time, it became a common practice to adorn ribbons (e.g., with a fringe or tassel), as well as add artistic value to them.The order's tradition of producing ribbons endured for more than 50 years (there is a ribbon that was produced in connection with the Triennial Conclave of 1940).