Quil-Shan Lodge: Update
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Letter from A.R. Groenink to Thomas Winsor
Jeff Ansley, skyloo442, recently reported that Frank Kern had found documentation showing that lodge 325 was originally named “Quil-Shan” lodge. Thanks to Mr. Kern, I can now share here the letters he found.
There are three typewritten letters from Mr. Thomas Winsor, as advisor of Quil-Shan lodge. In addition there is a fourth letter, pictured at the head of this post (click on it to view full size image), from the Scout Executive of Mission Council to Mr. Winsor in his capacity as lodge advisor of Quil-Shan lodge.
Those active in the Order of the Arrow now will note the alternative spelling of lodge advisor, instead of lodge adviser as is now currently used. Also, those active with American Indian aspects of the Order’s program may not look so kindly on the sources suggest to Mr. Winsor. Remember this was written in 1946.
None of the three letters from Mr. Winsor are on officially stationery or signed, and at least two were apparently typed by a secretary with the initials “G.G.”, but they are believed to be authentic. Click on any of the images below to see a larger version.
 Letter to Walter Neubrech from Thos. Winsor |
 Letter to A.R. Groenik (sic) from Thos. Winsor |
 Letter to John Norsk from Thos. Winsor |
The first letter from March 1946, asks Mr. Walter Neubrech for permission to obtain and use eagle feathers in the lodge’s ceremonial regalia.
The second letter, center, from July 1946 is to A.R. Groenik (sic) asking for help with “costuming”. The Scout Executive’s name was misspelled. He also references a previous letter to John Norsk (National Secretary) about the same issue. The “Annual Meeting to be held in Illinois…” is probably a reference to the 1946 National Lodge meeting held at Chanute Field.*
The third letter from October 1946, right, is to Mr. John Norsk asking for copies of other lodge’s bylaws to be used as models for Quil-Shan’s first lodge by-laws. Note he suggests that these could be sent to the Scout Executive, J. Arthur Peterson.
While Frank Kern was unable to find the “holy grail” of lodge names, a lodge charter, this should be enough to convince nearly everyone that the lodge went by the name “Quil-Shan” in 1946, and was most likely chartered under this spelling at its founding in 1945.
There are no known patches using the “Quil-Shan” name.
*An aside here of local note to North Carolinians: According to Dr. Kenneth P. Davis’ A History of the Order of the Arrow, Nayawin Rar lodge (spelled Naywi’ N Rar, a possible error?) presented a call-out ceremony. Wahissa lodge presented the Ordeal and Ordeal ceremony. (second edition, p. 60) Also, two brothers from Concord, NC (ibid, p. 61) were inducted into the Vigil Honor.
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Hello John,
Thank you very much for posting the information. I greatly appreciate your time and effort in sharing the history of my home lodge.
After reading the blog, I would like to offer additional information and a correction.
The patch listed as 325 Quilshan A1a was first used in 1945, making it an official emblem of 325 Quil-Shan. It was replaced by the A1b in 1947 or 1948, so the A1a may have been used by both lodge names.
Also, please note that A. R. Groenink was the Scout Executive for Mission Council, not Mount Baker Area Council. J. Arthur Peterson was the executive for Mount Baker Area from 1945 through the late 1940′s.
Finally, I can supply at least 3 more documents with the alternate spelling dated 1946. Do not hesitate to contact me if you would like copies.
Frank Kern
frankkern@oaflap.com
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