Chequaga American Indian Tribe Watkins Glen NYS Editorial Photo

Vintage sign on building in Watkins Glen NYS in the FingerLakes region. Native American Improved Order of Red Men #201 started in 1892. The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization established in North America in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those assumed by men of the era to be used by Native Americans. Despite the name, the order was formed solely by, and for, white men.The organization claimed a membership of about half a million in 1935, but has declined to a little more than 15,000. The order itself claims direct descent from the Sons of Liberty, noting that the Sons participated in the Boston Tea Party dressed as their idea of "Indians". Thus, they continue to dress as "Indians" and use Native American terminology, despite being a non-Native organization. The group's ritual terminology is derived from language they believe is used by Native Americans, though it also shows the influence of Freemasonry. Outsiders are called "Palefaces". Filing Date: November 12, 1909, Company Age: 113 Years, 2 Months