Artifact Spotlight: IORM Tomahawk

Local members of the Improved Order of Red Men participating in a local parade. Cat #: 1993.050.009

As summer gets closer and our Fraternal Order exhibit is drawing to a close, I wanted to feature a new item that was donated by past museum director and local historian extraordinaire Ray Hillman: a handmade, ceremonial tomahawk used by the Iquois Tribe #156 of the Improved Order of Red Men. 

The Improved Order of Red Men was an incredibly popular fraternal organization in Humboldt County with chapters in Eureka, Arcata, Blue Lake, Scotia, and Rio Dell. The Tomahawk pictured here was used by the Irquois Tribe (chapter) #156, which was based out of Arcata and later Eureka. Tomahawks like these were traditionally used as gavels, by rapping the knob on the back of the axe head on a table. This one, however, appears to have not been used as the finish and paint on the knob is completely intact. 

The initials T.O.T.E, which appear on the back side of the Tomahawk, stand for Totem of the Eagle, the secret password for the Order. It appears on a variety of Improved Order of Red Men items, especially grave markers. 

This Tomahawk has been added to our current Improved Order of Red Men display, which features items and images from the Clarke Museum collections, as well as loans from the Humboldt County Historical Society and members of the community. Despite how popular the organization was in Humboldt County, the museum's collection of items related to this organization is limited. 

The Fraternal Orders Exhibit will officially close on June 12 to make way for our next exhibit: The Redwoods Provide(d): Stories from Redwood National and State Parks, ​opening July 7 at 6 pm!