The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. This son of a clergyman, born October 22, 1842, was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867 Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune.

Because of his magnetic personality, other actors and entertainers gravitated toward Vivian. With everything closed on Sunday, because of New York City Blue Laws, the theatrical people had nothing to do. Under Charles Vivian's leadership, this group met for their own amusement. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.

When one of their members died -shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need. On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it.

Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York City. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.

Dissension soon erupted. Legitimate actors headed by George F. McDonald wanted to restrict membership of the theatrical profession. This view was opposed by Vivian and his friends. Taking advantage of Vivian's absence, because of an out-of-town engagement, the McDonald group summarily expelled Vivian and several of his closest friends. Years later the Order rectified this illegal act, but it gave rise to a controversy whether Vivian was actually the founder of the Order. In 1897 a formal inquiry firmly established his right to this honored title.

Vivian continued, after his expulsion from the Order, to enchant audiences across the country. He starred with some of the largest road companies of the time.

Together with his actress wife, the former Imogene Holbrook, Vivian set up a repertoire theater in Leadville, Colorado. Shortly thereafter he died of pneumonia on March 20, 1880. In 1889 the Elks moved his body from Leadville, Colorado to Mt. Hope Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Vivian received a stipend from the Order her husband founded until her death in 1931.

The legacy of Charles Vivian continues to this day. In addition to aiding members in distress, the Brotherhood of Elks raises money for handicapped children, college scholarships, youth projects and recreational programs for the patients in veterans hospitals.

On June 14, 1907 the Order held a Flag Day observance, this tradition later was declared a national holiday by President Harry S Truman.

During World War 1, the Elks funded and equipped the first two field hospitals in France; built a seventy-two room community house in Camp Sherman, Ohio and a seven hundred bed rehabilitation hospital in Boston, which they turned over to the government. They also raised much money for the Salvation Army's frontline canteens.

Their loans to forty thousand returning veterans for college, rehabilitation and vocational education was the precursor of the G. 1. Bill.

When World War 11 broke out the Elks were the only civilian organization asked to help recruit construction workers for the military, a task that was completed three months ahead of schedule. They also contributed over a half a million books to the Merchant Marines so that their men would have reading material on board ship.

The Korean conflict again brought out the best in the Elks. They donated over half a million pints of blood to help the wounded soldiers.

When the wounded from Vietnam needed help the Elks responded. They provided the funds for a recreation pavilion at the Navy Hospital on Guam. The wounded at Tripler Medical Center in Hawaii were sweltering in the heat. When the Elks heard of their plight, they purchased twenty-four air conditioning units so these patriots could recuperate in some degree of comfort.

When "Operation Desert Storm" took place, the Elks again led the support for our fighting men and women in the Persian Gulf. Subordinate Lodges undertook letter writing campaigns to help keep up the spirits of the defenders of freedom. They were also among the first to welcome them home and thank them for a job well done.

Our story is long; our work is humble; our history is proud. As long as there are those who need our help, the Brotherhood of Elks will be there to give aid and comfort.