lasting friendships and loving kindness to all mankind.
The Order of the Eastern Star has several landmarks that are significant to the Order.
The landmarks are open to the public and can be visited year-round.
Overall Landmarks Chairman: Scott Smissen, PGP California (Email: wgpscott2021@aol.com)
O.E.S. International Headquarters housed in the Perry Belmont House
The splendid Perry Belmont House, a stately Beaux Arts mansion located on New Hampshire Avenue NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., is the International Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star. This breathtaking building houses the business offices of the Order of the Eastern Star and a portion of the House is the residence of the Right Worthy Grand Secretary of Eastern Star.
This landmark has a rich and exciting history beginning with having been designed by renowned Parisian architect Ernest-Paul Sanson. The three-story, wedge-shaped building occupies an entire triangular city block. It was said when it was built in 1909 that it made the White House look tiny. There are eleven fireplaces, most with hand-carved marble mantles. All the marble in the house was brought from Italy, all of the wood from Germany and all the metal fixtures from France. (architectofthecapital.org/posts/2016/11/26/perry-belmont-house)
For Tours and Event Reservations and more information on the Perry Belmont House:
For more information on Perry Belmont House
For information on events and tours
Co-Chairman for International Headquarters: Anne E. Kellner, PGM Connecticut
Email: wgmoesct2019@gmail.com
To make a donation:
Little Red School
The original name of the schoolhouse, affectionately called the Little Red Schoolhouse by the members of the Eastern Star, was Richland Literary Institute. In 1848, the college was chartered under the name of Eureka Masonic College with the power to confer literary and honorary degrees. It is here that Dr. Rob Morris conceived the idea of the Order while serving as Principal of the school, thus making the Little Red Schoolhouse the birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star. Official records show that the cornerstone of the building was laid early in October of 1847. It was described as "a handsome brick edifice, 60 by 30 feet, and two stories high." The building was used during the Civil War to house Company C, 15th Mississippi Infantry, one of the first companies organized in the state (https://holmescountyms.org/little-red-schoolhouse).
The Little Red Schoolhouse is located at Richland, Mississippi and may be reached by exit No. 144 or exit No. 146 from I-55, fifty miles north of Jackson, Mississippi. The building is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Souvenirs are on sale, no admission is charged.
Co-Chairman Little Red School House: Jane Boston, PGM Mississippi
Email: janeboston64@gmail.com
To order a commemorable brick, contact the Grand Chapter of Mississippi. Help to preserve this historic OES landmark.
International Peace Garden Chapel of Peace
The International Peace Garden is on the border of the state of North Dakota of the United States and the province of Manitoba of Canada. The construction of the Chapel of Peace at the Peace Garden was made possible by the joint effort of the members of Order of the Eastern Star of the United States and Canada. The OES landmark of the Chapel of Peace was the primary project of the 33rd Triennium of the Order. It was dedicated in 1970 and was completed in 1972. The Chapel is constructed from Manitoba limestone and inscribed with quotes of peace from international leaders. The Chapel is non-denominational and arrangements for the use of the Chapel for appropriate services can be made. The Peace Chapel is the only building straddling the U.S. and Canadian Border and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains (peacegarden.com). More information about the International Peace Garden can be found at www.peacegarden.com.
Co-Chairman of International Peace Garden: Brenda J. Gaulke, PGM Wisconsin
Email: brendagaulke59@gmail.com
Rob Morris Home
Photo by C. Bedford Crenshaw, Attribution https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18540493
A noted Eastern Star landmark is the home of Dr. Rob Morris, founder of the Order. The house is located in the east end of the Central La Grange Historic District of La Grange, Kentucky on 102 Washington Street. In 1860, Dr. Morris moved his wife and nine children to LaGrange, Kentucky, where he taught at the Kentucky Masonic College. He bought the house at the corner of Washington and Cedar Streets in 1862 for $1,400. The house was built in 1840. The Rob Morris Home is considered "one of the most architecturally and historically important houses" within the Central La Grange Historic District. Among the highlights of the architecture of the house are the front doors flanked by over lights and side lights; a chimney on its west side that is typical of coastal North Carolina chimneys, but extremely rare in Kentucky, and a side hall plan. Non-historic additions to the house include a carport. The furnishings inside the house date from the time Rob Morris lived in the home and some were actually owned by Dr. Morris (en.wikipedia.org). For more information about the home, please go to oldhamkyhistory.com/museum/eastern-star/.
Co-Chairman of Rob Morris Home: Susan J. Miller, PGM Kentucky
Email: dennysgt@hotmail.com
Scott Smissen PGP California Chairman owgpscott2021@aol.comINTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Anne M. Kellner PGM Connecticut International Headquarters Co-Chairman wgmoesct2019@gmail.com
Filomena Gianna Baldari “Gianna” PGM Italy International Headquarters baldarigianna@gmail.com
Lynne E. Jones PGM Virginia International Headquarters lejones2828@gmail.com
Edward MacLaren “Ed” PGP Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island International Headquarters grampieed@gmail.com
Margaret Ramsdell “Marge” PGM Washington International Headquarters wgm0910@gmail.com
Edward C. Selter “Ed” PGP Pennsylvania International Headquarters seitet@verizon.net
Barbara J Ward PGM Ontario International Headquarters fran-good2@hotmail.com
INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN
Brenda J. Gaulke PGM Wisconsin International Peace Garden Co-Chairman brendagaulke59@gmail.com
Maralice Blagden PGM Manitoba International Peace Garden mblagden@shaw.ca
Cheri Cowan PGM Saskatchewan International Peace Garden cherijcowan@gmail.com
Richard G. Fortier Sr. “Dick” PGP New Hampshire International Peace Garden rgfsr03225@gmail.com
Darlene A. Spooner PGM North Dakota International Peace Garden darfromthestar@gmail.com
LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE
Jane Boston PGM Mississippi Little Red School House janeboston64@gmail.com
Samuel Beard PGP Oklahoma Little Red School House unclesam2012@msn.com
John Griffin PGP South Carolina Little Red School House johngriffin@atlanticbb.net
Donna McGee PGM Alabama Little Red School House dlmcgee15@gmail.com
Debra H. Owen “Debbie” PGM North Carolina Little Red School House docardinal@gmail.com
William Keith Powell “Keith” PGP Louisiana Little Red School House wkpowell17@gmail.com
Rob Morris Home
Susan J. Miller PGM Kentucky Rob Morris Home Co-Chairman dennysgt@hotmail.com
Thomas R. Huis PGP Michigan Rob Morris Home Co-Chairman tomhuisoes@gmail.com
John M. Reeder “Mike” PGM Missouri Rob Morris Home Co-Chairman johnreeder48@icloud.com
Kristyne Sandstrom PGM Utah Rob Morris Home Co-Chairman kristynehas4boys@gmail.com
Lynda Maria Williams “Lynn” PGM New Brunswick Rob Morris Home Co-Chairman lynnwil@rogers.com