Sarah Rebecca Arnold, 1843 -1919

Sarah Rebecca Arnold

In 1901 Rebecca Arnold began laying the groundwork for establishing the first Eastern Star Chapter in Cumberland. This organization of “fraternal love and friendship” consisted of 33 charter members and was comprised of the wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of the Masons of Cumberland. The city’s first Eastern Star Chapter was officially instituted in 1901 in the Masonic Lodge rooms located in the City Hall – Academy of Music building.

Though various names for the chapter were proposed, it was not until the assassination of President William McKinley in Buffalo, New York in September 1901 that a name was decided upon. As a memorial to the slain president, the name "McKinley" was chosen. The charter for McKinley Chapter No. 12, Order of the Eastern Star was signed and presented for formal constitution in 1902.