Fraternal orders were an integral part of American culture, even before membership reached its height between 1890 and 1930, when 1 in 3 American men belonged to one. Most American fraternal orders took their inspiration from Freemasonry, also known as the Masons, which made its way from Europe to the New England colonies in the early 18th centuries. Quickly, Freemasonry became an important vehicle for achieving political clout: The Founding...Continue Reading