Improved Order of Red Men

​The origins of this group’s name stems from the Revolutionary War era. They trace their origins back to the Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party, where a group from the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and threw crates of tea from Britain into the Boston Harbor in protest of British taxation and rule. The Order is oriented around promoting a sense of patriotism and love of liberty. They pattern their Order’s meetings after the Iroquois Confederacy (1722) and draw heavily from Native American traditions across the United States for their regalia, symbols, and terminology. In Humboldt County, there were at least 7 of these groups, each named after a local tribe. Three of these groups lasted from 1908 into the 1970s. The Order also had a female auxiliary called the Degree of Pocahontas. There were two of these auxiliaries in Humboldt County from 1908 to 1970.

Improved Order of Red Men in a parade float. Cat #: 1994.038.022B

Improved Order of Red Men Members in a parade. Cat #: 1994.038.021

While no longer active in Humboldt County, this organization still has chapters in other areas of the United States. Their website states: “Today, The Improved Order of Red Men continues to offer all patriotic Americans an organization that is pledged to the high ideals of Freedom, Friendship, and Charity. These are the same ideals on which the American nation was founded. By belonging to this proud and historic organization you can demonstrate your desire to continue the battle started at Lexington and Concord to promote Freedom and protect the American Way of Life.” They are actively raising funds for Alzheimer’s research and other charitable programs.