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On Wyatt Avenue in Lincoln, IL on the Odd Fellows
Orphanage property a statue of Rebekah at the Well has stood guard
over our property since the summer of 1896. This statue was in the
center of a fountain presented to the children's home property by
our Chicago Land Odd Fellows. Back in 1896 this statue of Rebekah
would have cost somewhere around $1500.00 for the fountain only. I
have no idea what the actual cost of large water reservoir or the
brick walk that was completely around the fountain would have cost.
It sat directly in front of our Administration Building in the area
from the circle drive and Wyatt Ave. where the current building that
Christian Child Care Inc operates a Day Care for local children in
the Lincoln Area today.
Rebekah has since 2005, been sitting in front of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge Building and Museum.
This year, our Grand Master Ray Jackson wanted to give her a long
overdue facelift. Her paint was peeling, and she needed some real
tender loving care after watching over our property for 129 years.
So, our Grand Master sent a plea out to our Brothers and Sisters in
Illinois for someone to help with her facelift. Our Brothers at Gem
City #357, who are located in Quincy, IL, went to work and
researched what it would take to get off all the old paint and give
her a fresh new paint job.
They came to Lincoln on May 10th of this year to start working on
her and were going to do it on site. The wind was causing a problem
with the make-shift paint booth they had erected to keep the paint
remover from killing our bushes and keeping debris off the building
and rocks. They finally decided it was going to be too messy to
strip her here and paint her. They contacted Grand Master Ray
Jackson and asked for permission to unbolt her and take her back to
Quincy and work on her.
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Rebekah returned home last weekend,
June 7th, 2025. We were celebrating our Annual Picnic, which
alternates with our Old Folks Home in Mattoon, IL. We alternate as
we had done many years before. It would allow our members an
opportunity to see our homes and visit with our residents. I
remember as a child, every year we would go to the Odd Fellow Annual
Picnic and have a day of fun and fellowship, both at the Children's
Home and the Old Folks Home in Mattoon, IL. We would see friends we
only saw maybe once a year. It was always a good time. All the
lodges would participate and bring games to play, Bingo, and Pony
rides, and a dunk tank where the Administrators and Board of
directors would get soaked. We had games for both the young and old.
Occasionally, a Grand Master would get in the dunk tank. The whole
ground was covered with cars and lawn chairs. The lodges would come
with their entertainment and games. I used to look forward to the
picnics every year. We started reviving the picnics about 4 years
ago.
Also, we have a museum at 845 Wyatt that is open to the public
anytime we are in the office. Our Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday.
[Janis Klockenga
Administrative Assistant
Grand Lodge of Illinois ] |
