Druids lived in Lincoln

Last week's Out of the Museum question asked if there were Druids in Lincoln and, if yes, when? This week's question asks what item needed the two tools pictured here. Please email the answer or any information about it by Tuesday to carolf@goldcountrymedia.com. Last week's question Paul Long: "Hi , great question. If memories serve me right, I think there was a Druid settlement in the Mt Pleasant area." Yes, Lincoln had Druids. The area was home to Druid Grove No. 248, according to the Lincoln Area Archives Museum docents. Druids (not the ancient Druids) began in London, England in 1781 by Henry Hurle, the docents explained. A Grove was the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of the Druids to promote harmony, good fellowship and assist humanity. It was formed in the manner of the Freemasons. The group came to America with the first Grove of Druids going to New York City in 1830. A rival group developed and the two combined to form the United Ancient Order of Druids. In 1860, California Grove 1 was formed in Placerville by founder Frederick Sieg. The Druids of California "is a non-political non-denominational fraternal benefit society, formed as a brotherhood united to assist the families of miners injured or killed in the gold fields of the Sierra Nevada." According to the Grand Grove Office in Novato, Druids of California promoted benevolence, education and sound morality with the mission to promote knowledge, unity and peace. Museum docents said that P. O. Tognelli and others organized the Lincoln group on March 23, 1923. The Grove's guiding virtues are justice, morality and brotherly love. The majority of Lincoln members were of Italian descent. Men could join the sister branch but women could not join the men's group. They would meet together socially once a month, beside their separate meetings. Officers of the women's group were Past Arch Druidess, Eleanor Hansen; Arch Druidess, Nettie Baron; First Bard, Emma Mamattioda; Second Bard, Kattie Fiorelli; and Recording Secretary, Annie C. Hansen. Officers of Grove 248 Lincoln Druids were Past Arch, Ed Grey; Mobile Arch, P. O.Tognelli; Vice Arch, O. Rossi; Noble Ovate, C. Crestetto; Noble Bard, I. Santini; Conductor, A Rizzi; Recording Secretary, I. Tognelli; Financial Secretary, J. Fransozo; and treasurer, S. Rizzi. It is unknown when the Lincoln Druids disbanded. Anna M. Lavallee gathered information from her family, Bill Wyatt, Evelyn Procissi, Bud Procissi and others for her book, "Lincoln Italians." She also interviewed Marie Lamanno, Jeanette Pieracci, Tony Palazzi, Nello Stefani and Lou Fraanchimone. According to Lavallee, Lincoln High School students sometime during the 1920s published the "History of Lincoln," which had some information about the Druids. The museum docents thank Lavallee for her book and assistance. They also thank Jeanette Butler, another Lincoln history buff, for sharing her picture above of the Lincoln Druids ribbons. The docents are asking readers with more information about Lincoln's Druids Grove No. 248 to share it with them. The Lincoln Area Archives Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. There is a new Gladding, McBean display. Distancing and masks are required for COVID-19 safety precautions.