These two postcards show the exhibits of the Modern Woodmen of America at the Century of Progress International Exposition held in Chicago in 1933 and 1934. The exhibit was in the Social Science Hall on Northerly Island. The first postcard is from 1933, and the second is from 1934.
When I think of "modern woodmen," I think of lumberjack demonstrations and contests. However, Modern Woodmen of America is actually a fraternal benefit society that has been around for more than a hundred years. Here is a description of Modern Woodmen from answers.com:
In the early 1900s, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death. Colorado's climate was favorable for treating the disease, and a number of TB sanatoriums were established there. Modern Woodmen opened a well-known sanatorium in Colorado Springs in 1907 where more than 12,000 patients were treated for 38 years. This video promoting their sanatorium was produced by the Modern Woodmen of America in 1933.
When I think of "modern woodmen," I think of lumberjack demonstrations and contests. However, Modern Woodmen of America is actually a fraternal benefit society that has been around for more than a hundred years. Here is a description of Modern Woodmen from answers.com:
No need to pitch a tent to have Modern Woodmen in your camp. One of the largest fraternal benefit societies in the US, Modern Woodmen provides annuities, life insurance, and other financial savings products to more than 750,000 members through some 1,500 agents. The group, founded in 1883, is organized into "camps" (or chapters) that provide social, recreational, and service -- as well as financial -- benefits to members. Founder Joseph Cullen Root chose the society's name to compare pioneering woodmen clearing forests to men using life insurance to remove the financial burdens their families could face upon their deaths.Modern Woodmen drill teams, known as Foresters, were popular from the 1890s to the 1930s. Each group had a different style and color of uniform. The last known “Rainbow Parade” was held on Michigan Boulevard in Chicago and halted traffic for more than two hours.
In the early 1900s, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death. Colorado's climate was favorable for treating the disease, and a number of TB sanatoriums were established there. Modern Woodmen opened a well-known sanatorium in Colorado Springs in 1907 where more than 12,000 patients were treated for 38 years. This video promoting their sanatorium was produced by the Modern Woodmen of America in 1933.
Visiting this blog is always such a nice surprise! Love your finds.
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ReplyDeleteSorry the previous comment got mangled somewhat. I’ll try again.
ReplyDeleteIt gave me a warm glow hearing about these woodsmen. Woodsmen aren’t lumberjacks, just as Lions Clubs aren’t for zookeepers :)
Great post, great postcards and the video was fascinating. I'd never heard of these people before, interesting to see they aer still thriving.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the lady in the first card and have to climb out of that chair!
ReplyDeleteFascinating stuff. I always find myself drawn to these old fraternal societies. Over here we have groups like the Oddfellows and the Buffaloes, both of which are just about still clinging on to existence.
ReplyDeleteThe exhibits look a little like doctor's waiting rooms.
ReplyDeleteThe diversity of Century of Progress cards never ceases to amaze me!
ReplyDeleteA great post. I enjoyed this post a great deal. The video is very interesting. Since TB has been under control wonder if this place is still in existence. Your comment on my post about the Society of colonial dames was A/C teasing with me. The name of the institution is as mentioned in the post itself. Thanks for visiting.
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Are the people real or manikins? The uniformed axeman is a terrific period example of the odd quasi-military fashions between the wars. I'll bet he was a member of the Modern Woodsmen drill team. Watch out for the spinning axes!
ReplyDeleteOh we heard about the Woodmen Society about 25 years back in CA. At that time they were trying to sell life insurance policies along with offering the benefit of their society. We did not purchase; wonder if they still exist.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. What can I say? I had no idea they even existed. I hope you will forgive me for laughing out loud at the second postcard, which looks like a man with an axe in a physician's waiting room.
ReplyDeleteI too noticed the axeman in the corner! I'd never heard of the Woodmen before, although as Alan points out, similar societies exist this side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, not at all what was expected.
The International Order of Red Men dressed up as native Americans, so I suppose it wasn't surprising that the Woodmen could take up an axe when the opportunity arose.
ReplyDeletei'm sorry as i can't help but laugh: in the second postcard, there is man holding an axe and it seems so out of place that i would have been worried coming face-to-face with him. i must watch too much tv...
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HUGZ
They Sound Like Distant Cousins Of The United Kingdom's Woodcraft Folk
ReplyDeleteMy father was born @ Woodman, his grandfather was the head maitnance man, his uncle was a grounds keeper, his aunt worked in the laundry and his birth father was the son of the dentist. I have heard lots of stories and seen some pictures but so enjoyed the video and can not wait to show dad it who is now 82. Thank you.
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