WILMINGTON #532

DATE OF INSTITUTION: DECEMBER 29, 1899 DATE OF CHARTER: JULY 12, 1900 FIRST EXALTED RULER: H.J. GERKIN ADDITIONAL HISTORY:

ABOUT THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY A YOUNG MAN NAMED LEW STEIN LEFT RICHMOND, VA. AND CAME TO WILMINGTON TO LIVE. LEW LOVED WILMINGTON BUT MISSED THE FRATERNAL COMPANIONSHIP THAT HE ENJOYED IN RICHMOND AS A MEMBER OF BPOE LODGE #45.

IN THE FALL OF 1899 LEW DECIDED TO ORGANIZE A LODGE OF ELKS IN WILMINGTON AND ON DECEMBER 29TH, 1899, 28 GENTLEMEN MET IN THE KIGHTS OF PYTHIAS HALL, THEN ON FRONT ST. WILMINGTON LODGE #532 OF BPOE WAS THEN INSTITUTED BY C.F. TOMLINSON OF WINSTON SALEM ACTING AS GRAND EXALTED RULER. THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO SECURE A PERMANENT HOME.

ON FEBRUARY 22, 1900 THE COMMITTEE REPORTED THEY HAD PURCHASED
THE LOT AT 211 NORTH FRONT ST. ON MAY 17, 1900 GROUND WAS BROKEN FOR THE ELKS TEMPLE, WHICH HOUSED THE LODGE AND CLUB ROOMS UNTIL A DISASTROUS FIRE OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 6, 1944.

 DURING THE LIFE OF THIS BUILDING THE LODGE ENTERTAINED THE STATE CONVENTIONS IN 1903, 1913, AND 1936.
AFTER THE FIRE THE LODGE DECIDED TO SEEK OTHER QUARTERS AND BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE GOVERNOR DUDLEY MANSION AT 400 SOUTH FRONT ST. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED, AND ON JUNE 2, 1945, WILMINGTON LODGE MOVED INTO ITS NEW HOME. THIS BUILDING WAS PROBABLY THE MOST HISTORICAL ONE IN THE CITY. THE ELKS ADDED AN ADDITION TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING FOR FURTHER GROWTH OF THE LODGE.

STATE CONVENTIONS WERE HELD IN THIS BUILDING DURING THE FOLLOWING YEARS: 1946-47, 1957-58, 1964-65, 1966-67, AND 1970-71-

THE MEMBERSHIP WAS GROWING AT A STEADY PACE AND A NEED FOR NEW FACILITIES WAS VERY EVIDENT. THE LODGE DECIDED TO BUILD AT THE PRESENT LOCATION 5102 OLEANDER DR. THE NEW FACILITIES WERE READY TO MOVE INTO IN AUGUST, 1971. BECAUSE OF A CONTINUED STEADY GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP AND CLUB FUNCTIONS ON THE INCREASE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE PLANS FOR EXPANDING THE FACILITIES. THIS WAS DONE AND APPROVED BY THE LODGE AND GRAND LODGE ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1982. THE NEW ADDITION HAS 14,400 SQ. FT., AND CONTAINS A LODGE ROOM WITH 163 PERMANENT SEATS, DINING ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE 525 PEOPLE FOR DANCES OR DINNERS, NEW LOUNGE WITH A SUNKEN BAR AND A PARKING LOT TO ACCOMMODATE 300 CARS. THE KITCHEN WAS REMODELED WITH A WALK-IN REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER. THE OUTSIDE COOKING AREA WAS SCREENED-IN TO CONFORM WITH ALL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS. A PICNIC SHELTER WAS ADDED IN 1998 THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE 100 PEOPLE, AND WILL BE USED FOR THE LODGE'S ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC AND OTHER OUTINGS. ALSO ELECTRIC AND WATER HOOK-UPS FOR RV'S WERE INCREASED TO ACCOMMODATE FIVE VEHICLES.

SINCE THE NEW ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL BUILDING, THE ANNUAL-STATE SPRING CONVENTIONS WERE HELD IN 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996 AND 1999 WITH AS MANY AS 710 MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTENDING.