Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Zembo Shrine Photograph Album

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1399
Creators:
Zembo Shrine (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
O'Brien , A. Earl, (1898-1982)
Dates:
1949-1959, undated
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
2 boxes
Repository:
Collection contains album documenting the activities and events held by the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from 1949-1959.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Contains an album of primarily photographs documenting the activities of the members of the Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The album, housed in box one, includes images of members involved in charitable activities for children from Shriners' Hospitals; engaged in ritual activities or participating in public events such as parades; participating in stage and radio productions; and dressed in regalia. In addition to the photographs there are also programs in the album for events held at the Zembo Shrine. Box two contains loose photographs and oversize materials from the album and the album covers.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Collection is arranged in one series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg was constituted on October 12, 1904, thirty-two years after the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was established (now known as Shriners International). Their activities emphasized work with children's hospitals. The Shrine has been housed in the Zembo Shrine building since its construction finished in 1929. The building is highly influenced by North African architectural styles. The album was created by A. Earl O'Brien (1898-1982), the potentate of the temple in 1949, who was an active member of the Zembo Shrine. He worked for a highway construction company and was executive vice president of the Road Builders Association.

Administration

Author
Vanessa Broussard-Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Serendipity Antiques.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist, 2023. Finding aid encoded by Audrey Willius, intern, 2023.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Zembo Shrine (Harrisburg, PA) Photographs, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

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Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Charity Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Freemasonry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fraternal organizations Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photograph albums -- 1940-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1940-1960 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Regalia Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rites and ceremonies Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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