Walter T. Bradley, Jr. papers

Abstract

The Walter T. Bradley, Jr. papers (dated 1914-2003, undated; 3.86 cubic feet; 8 boxes) comprise correspondence, newsletters, magazines, business papers, and photographs relating to the personal life and involvement in Freemasonry of Walter T. Bradley Jr.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Walter T. Bradley, Jr. papers
Date
1921-2003, undated (inclusive)
Extent
3.86 Cubic Feet
Subjects
African American fraternal organizations.
African American freemasonry -- Kentucky
African American freemasons -- Kentucky
Fraternal organizations -- Kentucky -- Louisville.
Freemasonry -- United States
Midway (Ky.)
Freemasons. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky
Arrangement
Collection is arranged in four series by content and format: Photographs, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Publications, and Personal papers.
Finding Aid Author
Logan McGuire
Preferred Citation
2019ms041: [identification of item], Walter T. Bradley, Jr. papers, 1921-2003, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
A branch of North American Freemasonry, Prince Hall Freemasonry was founded in 1784 by its namesake after he and a group of fourteen other African-Americans were refused admittance into the St. John Lodge in Boston, Massachusetts. After this rejection Prince Hall and his group applied to the Grand Lodge of England and were granted a charter for African Lodge No. 459, which would go on to become the stepping block from which all of Prince Hall Freemasonry would eventually develop. More lodges were organized during the remainder of Prince Hall's life, and after his death a Grand Lodge was formed in his name. This Grand Lodge would later be denied acknowledgment by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and subsequently declare itself independent in 1827. Persisting as a predominantly African-American fraternity, Prince Hall Freemasonry stood as an opportunity for African-Americans to join a lodge despite widespread racial segregation in the country. Walter T. Bradley Jr. was a member of the Lodge, attaining a rank of 33rd degree mason and holding the position of Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Kentucky. He took his duties seriously and devoted much of his professional and personal life to the betterment of the Lodge and its members.
https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/1071 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hall_Freemasonry
Scope and Content
The Walter T. Bradley, Jr. papers (dated 1914-2003, undated; 3.86 cubic feet; 8 boxes) comprise correspondence, newsletters, magazines, business papers, and photographs relating to his personal life and involvement in Freemasonry. The bulk of the collection relates to Walter's involvement in Freemasonry, whether as a standard member or as the Grand Secretary of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky. Included are documents concerning day-to-day matters of the Prince Hall Lodge of Kentucky as well as copies of The Masonic Herald and The Phylaxis; newsletters regularly distributed to members of the Masonic lodge. Also included are photographs of both individuals and groups of significance to Bradley and his Freemasonry in addition to documents regarding Bradley's life outside of the Lodge and its teachings.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to these materials belong to the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Photographs, 1968-2002, undated

Scope and Contents

Photographs of members of Bluegrass Consistory #46 both as individuals and in group shots, at their home lodge as well as at various conferences. These photos vary from candid shots to official portraits.

Bluegrass consistory no. 46, 1979, undated

Bluegrass Consistory #46, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 1
To top

Gathering by parked cars, undated

  • Box 5, item 2
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Gathering by parked cars, undated

  • Box 5, item 3
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Golden Circle, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 4
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Golden Circle, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 5
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James Carter, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 6
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Jeffery Sullivan, Richmond, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 7
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Jesse Mason, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 8
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Joe Price, Bluegrass consistory no. 46, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 9
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June Christy, Danville, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 10
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Leonard Hale, June Christy, John Freeman, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 11
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Order of the Eastern Star district meeting, undated

  • Box 5, item 12
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Robert Miller, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 13
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Rosie Hale, Golden Circle, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 14
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Rosie Hale, Golden Circle, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 15
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Seated man, undated

  • Box 5, item 16
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Unnamed man, undated

  • Box 5, item 17
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Walking into building, undated

  • Box 5, item 18
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Walter Bradley, James Carter, Jeff Sullivan, William Darneal, et al., undated

  • Box 5, item 19-23
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Walter T. Bradley Jr., undated

  • Box 5, item 24
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William Darneal, undated

  • Box 5, item 25
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William Darneal, Lexington, Kentucky, undated

  • Box 5, item 26-27
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Group photo, Bluegrass consistory no. 46, 1979

  • Box 6, item 1
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Conference photographs, 1968-2002, undated

Drawbridge Inn, group photo, Covington, Kentucky, 1979

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 9
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Walter Bradley (front, second from right side), Grand Secretaries Grand Conference of Grand Master, New York, New York, 1987

  • Box 6, item 9
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121st Annual Communications elected Grand Officers, Louisville, Kentucky, 1988

  • Box 7, item 1
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Banquet Negatives, undated

  • Box 7, item 2
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Walter T. Bradley at Grand Masters Conference, 1984

  • Box 7, item 5
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82nd annual Grand Assembly, Royal and Select Masons, Springfield, Ohio, 2002 May

  • Box 8, item 1
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101st Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Paducah, Kentucky, 1968

  • Box 8, item 2
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Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, group photo, Louisville, Kentucky, 1982

  • Box 8, item 3
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Joint installation service for Central, Mid-Central and North Central disrtricts of the Order of the Eastern Star, newspaper clippings, Louisville, Kentucky, 1979

  • Box 8, item 4
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Most Illustrious Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons, Cleveland, Ohio, 1996

  • Box 8, item 5
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, group photo, Louisville, Kentucky, 1982

  • Box 8, item 6-10
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Ohio Prince Hall Grand Council, 80th annual assembly, Wright Patterson Airforce Base, Dayton, Ohio, 2000 May

  • Box 8, item 11
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Phylaxis, 1984, undated

First session of Phylaxis chapter, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 28
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Darnell, damaged luggage, Portland, Oregon, undated

  • Box 5, item 29
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Man at a podium, Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter speech, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 30
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Man at Viscount Hotels podium, Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter speech, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 31
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Man with sunglasses, Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter speech, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 32
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Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter meeting, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 33
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The Phylaxis, Abram, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 34
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The Phylaxis Society, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 35
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Walter Bradley recieving an award, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 36
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Woman at a podium, Phylaxis Society and Phyllis Chapter speech, Portland, Oregon, undated

  • Box 5, item 37
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Scaled photographs, 1982, undated

Banquet hall, scaled 90%, undated

  • Box 5, item 38
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Banquet table, scaled 80%, undated

  • Box 5, item 39
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Five Masons, scaled 83%, undated

  • Box 5, item 40
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Five seated at the table, scaled 80%, undated

  • Box 5, item 41
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Group photo by building, scaled 98%, undated

  • Box 5, item 42
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Group photo of Masons, undated

  • Box 5, item 43
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Group photo of Masons, scaled 116%, undated

  • Box 5, item 44
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Group photo of Masons, scaled 86%, undated

  • Box 5, item 45
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Group photo outdoors, scaled 74%, undated

  • Box 5, item 46
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Group photo, Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky, scaled 165%, undated

  • Box 5, item 47
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Head table, scaled 90%, undated

  • Box 5, item 48
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Man and woman, scaled 82%, undated

  • Box 5, item 49
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Man at podium, South Central District, Prince Hall Day, Danville, Kentucky, scaled 140%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 50
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Man walking across a field, undated

  • Box 5, item 51
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Men at podium, South Central District, Prince Hall Day, Danville, Kentucky, scaled 104%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 52
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Men in pews, South Central District, Prince Hall Day, Danville, Kentucky, scaled 104%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 53
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Louisville, Kentucky, scaled 140%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 54
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Louisville, Kentucky, scaled 157%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 55
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Order of the Eastern Star, group photo, scaled 165%, undated

  • Box 5, item 56
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Seated at the banquet table, scaled 90%, undated

  • Box 5, item 57
To top

Three men by the water, scaled 74%, undated

  • Box 5, item 58
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Three seated at a table, scaled 90%, undated

  • Box 5, item 59
To top

Two women, scaled 86%, undated

  • Box 5, item 60
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Women in pews, South Central District, Prince Hall Day, Danville, Kentucky, scaled 104%, 1982

  • Box 5, item 61
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Man and woman at a podium, scaled 80%, undated

  • Box 6, item 2
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Man wiping his forehead, scaled 77%, undated

  • Box 6, item 3
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Masons in a line, scaled 83%, undated

  • Box 6, item 4
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Testing blood pressure, scaled 83%, undated

  • Box 6, item 5
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Two Masons at a table, scaled 83%, undated

  • Box 6, item 6
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Unattributed photographs, 1982-1993, undated

Lone Mason, 1993

  • Box 5, item 62
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Mason at a podium, undated

  • Box 5, item 63
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Mason clapping, undated

  • Box 5, item 64
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Mason clapping, undated

  • Box 5, item 65
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Mason shaking hands, undated

  • Box 5, item 66
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Sacred Heart Statue, undated

  • Box 5, item 67
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Seven Masons group photo, 1993

  • Box 5, item 68
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Shaking hands, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 69
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Shriners hospital sign, undated

  • Box 5, item 70
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Single Mason, undated

  • Box 5, item 71
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Single Mason in white, undated

  • Box 5, item 72
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Standing Mason, undated

  • Box 5, item 73
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Statue in a cave, landscape, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 74
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Statue in a cave, portrait, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 75
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Statue kneeling in prayer, undated

  • Box 5, item 76
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Statue of christ with a cross, Portland, Oregon, 1984

  • Box 5, item 77
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Woman at a podium, undated

  • Box 5, item 78
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Eight seated at a banquet table, undated

  • Box 6, item 7
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Georgia Powers of Louisville, Kentucky, and Robert Kendall of Clarksville, Tennessee, 1982

  • Box 6, item 8
To top

Prince Hall Village, Frankfort, Kentucky, 1980s

  • Box 7, item 3
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Three standing at a podium, undated

  • Box 7, item 4
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Walter T. Bradley holiday card, undated

  • Box 7, item 6
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Walter T. Bradley portrait, undated

  • Box 8, item 12
To top

Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 1968-2002, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains documents concerning the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and its members. It holds various official business papers such as articles of incorporation and amendment as well as correspondence and documents detailing membership benefits. Also included are annual communications from the Lodge.

Administrative documents, 1968-2002, undated

Financial statement, Office of the Grand Secretary, 1983-1984

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 1
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General Masonic information, 1977, 1984, undated

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 2
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Grand Lodge revised benefit program, insurance, 1986-1987

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 3
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Honored individuals, 1981-2002

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 4
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John P. Stein Council no. 12, correspondence, 1985-1986

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 5
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Lodge no. 174, Prince Hall affiliation, 1986

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 6
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Prince Hall Grand Lodge, articles of incorporation and amendment, 1951-1986

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 7
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Prince Hall Masonic Directory, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1997

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 39-42
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United Supreme Council, 33rd degree, 1976-1995

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 8
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Conferences, 1975-1996, undated

Conference of Grand Masters, Prince Hall Masons, 1975-1983

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 9
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Conference of Grand Masters Prince Hall Masons book, 1981, 1995

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 3-4
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Kentucky Council of Assemblies, Order of the Golden Circle, 1979-1996

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 10
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Prince Hall conference of Grand Chapters, Order of the Eastern Star, 1982-1988

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 11
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Legal matters, 1994-1998

Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals, 1994 July

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 12
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Midway City Council annexation lawsuit, 1995

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 13
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Second District of Texas, Court of Appeals, 1998

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 14
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Most Illustrious Grand Lodge, 1990-2002

Transactions of the Annual Assembly of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masons, 1990-1993

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 15
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Transactions of the Annual Assembly of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masons, 1994-1997

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 16
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Transactions of the Annual Assembly of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masons, 1998-2001

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 17
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Transactions of the Annual Assembly of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masons, 2002

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 18
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Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, 1969-2002

129th Grand Communications of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 1996

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 19
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Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., 1986

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 20
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Annual Grand Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 1980-1995

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 21
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, annual communications, 1969-1981

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 22
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, annual communications, 1983-1989

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 23
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, business papers and correspondence, 1986-1992

  • Box 2019ms041-01, folder 24
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, deed of conveyance and industrial classification statement, 1982-1983

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 1
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge information, 1985-1999

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 2
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Kentucky, Incorporated, annual communication, 1914-1970, book, circa 1970

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 8-38
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Publications, 1921-2002, undated

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of publications concerning the Prince Hall Lodge and masonry in general. It includes various periodicals such as the Phylaxis and the "Masonic Herald".

"10,000 Prominent Prince Hall Freemasons", report and correspondence, 1982-1989

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 3
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90th Annual Session of the Imperial Council Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mythic Shrine, Inc., Saint Louis, Missouri, 1983 August

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 4
To top

95th Anniversary Commemorative Yearbook, 1982

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 1
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"The ABCs of Scottish Rite Masonry", 1921

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 2
To top

General Grand Conference of Holy Royal Arch Masons Communications, Most Excellent Grand Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons, Prince Hall affiliation, Kentucky, 1997-1999

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 5
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"History of Prince Hall Freemasonry in Kentucky", undated

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 5
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"History of Prince Hall Lodge of Kentucky" manuscript, undated

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 6
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"The Kentucky Negro Education Association" book, 1946

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 6
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"King Solomon and his followers; a valuable aid to the memory", 1971

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 7
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Masonic Calendars, 1978, 1981, 1989

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 7
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Masonic Herald, Louisville, Kentucky, 1974-1984

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 8
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Masonic Herald, Louisville, Kentucky, 1988-2002

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 9
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News Quarterly, 1982-1991

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 10
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The Phylaxis, quarterly magazine

1980-1985

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 11
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1986-1988

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 12
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1989-1991

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 13
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1992-1994

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 14
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1995-1999

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 15
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2000-2003

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 16
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Phylaxis Society

Annual session, 1973-1984

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 17
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Annual session, 1986-1989

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 18
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Annual session, 1992-1996

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 19
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Annual session, 1997-1998

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 20
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Annual session, 1999-2002

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 21
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Annual session, 2002-2003

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 22
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Correspondence, 1981-1988

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 23
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Newsletter, 1981-1991

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 24
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Official documents, 1982, 1988

  • Box 2019ms041-02, folder 25
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Publications, 1985-1992

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 1
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Silver Anniversary Historical Souvenir Journal, Lexington, Kentucky, 1995

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 2
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"Supreme Court of the United States; appeals from the United States District Court" book, 1953

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 43
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"What Masonry Means" book, 1975

  • Box 2019ms041-04, folder 44
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Personal papers, 1946-2003

Scope and Contents

The personal papers series includes Walter T. Bradley, Jr.'s files ranging from personal correspondence to documents of duties and responsibilities as a deacon.

Kentucky African American Heritage Commission, 1995

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 3
To top

Correspondence, 1973-2003

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 4
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Deacon papers and responsibilities, Lexington, Kentucky, 1987-1992

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 5-6
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Walter T. Bradley Jr., personal documents, 1981-1996

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 7
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Walter T. Bradley Jr., personal documents, 1946-1998

  • Box 2019ms041-03, folder 8
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.