Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Independent Order of St. Luke Records, 1897-1945. Accession 50950. Organization Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Ryan K. Smith

Biographical Information

The Independent Order of St. Luke was established in Baltimore, Maryland in 1867 by Mary Prout, a formerly enslaved woman, in order to provide members with life, disability, and burial insurance. The Order also provided members with mortgages and educational loans, championed numerous humanitarian causes, and served as a social organization for its members. The Order nearly became defunct under the leadership of William Forrest, and was revitalized in 1899 when Maggie L. Walker became head of the organization, a position she held until her death in 1934. Under the leadership of Walker, the Order established the Juvenile Department and expanded membership to over 100,000 members in 24 states. Though members of the Order included both men and women, the Order largely focused on the needs of its female members. After Walker's death, the Order continued to serve the Richmond community, and was formally disbanded in the 1980's.

Scope and Content

Records, 1897-1945, of the Independent Order of St. Luke include applications, benefit certificates, and death records of members of the organization's Juvenile Department. Applications detail the name, date of birth, age, and address of the applicant, as well as name of beneficiary and their relationship to the applicant. Applications also include the amount of required monthly dues, as well as the amount of term life insurance. Benefit certificates include the number and amount of the insurance policy, the name and assigned "Juvenile Circle" of the newly insured, as well the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Death records include the name of deceased, as well as the location and date of their death. Collection also includes death claim receipts, which detail the amount and date of payments to beneficiaries, as well as some correspondence. Correspondence includes that of beneficiaries to the Office of the Juvenile Department of the Order of St. Luke, as well as some internal correspondence between employees. Several letters are addressed to Maggie L. Walker. Collection also contains notecards that detail the name, age, council number, certificate and claim number, and cause of death of adult members of the organization.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged according to the original order.