09/09/2026
Wayback Wednesday.
Are they beefeaters? Soldiers? A personal guard fit for a king? 👑
These are some good guesses for the dapper gentlemen in this photo, but the truth lies more local - they’re Moose! That’s right, today’s Wayback Wednesday features members of the Loyal Order of Moose, the fraternal organization whose local chapter once showcased these outfits on the streets of Batavia.
Back when this photograph was taken in the first half of the 20th century, fraternal and social orders were very popular for men looking for a “third space” outside the home and workplace where they could spend time with friends to serve the community. It was also very common for organizations of this time to share its identity in public via richly decorated banners, outfits, and other regalia - think of the Shriner’s fezes for an example that still survives today.
Batavia Moose Lodge #682 was founded in 1911, just one year before the group’s national leadership purchased the property south of town that would become Mooseheart. Just a year afterwards in 1913, Batavia’s Women of the Moose Chapter #722 was founded to further the efforts of helping the community. Today, the organization and its chapters still exist to support the children of its members, as well as to support its senior members at Moosehaven in Florida.
What do you think? Should these fine threads make their way back onto the parade scene of Batavia?? 🤔
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For even more photos of the building’s features, stop by the Batavia Depot Museum’s collection today! We’re open Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm and Sat, Sun 10-5pm.
![Grace McWayne School? Is that you?? [pause to clean glasses] 👓Today’s Wayback Wednesday features the old West Side Schoo...](https://img5.gluseum.com/453/814/1573753744538146.jpg)
