{"id":716,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:37","latitude":39.76150599999999712963472120463848114013671875,"longitude":-86.15487799999999651845428161323070526123046875,"title":"The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies’ Auxiliary","subtitle":"Irish American Cultural Societies","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/6eacf3bfbae1b08b65ade9e227b839e3.jpg","address":"","all_locations":[],"zoom":8,"creator":["Kayley Schacht"],"description":"Irish societies were a significant part of social and cultural life for Irish- Americans in Indiana. The main Irish society operating in the state in the 19th century was the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and the Ladies’ Auxiliary, also called the Daughters of Erin. The AOH originated in New York City in 1836. The Irish immigrant organization grew from the tradition of Ribbon societies in Ireland. These secret societies were made up of poor Irish Catholics who wanted better conditions for the working class and supported an independent Ireland. The AOH in America continued to promote Catholicism, Irish nationalism, and the rights of the working class.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAccording to tradition, the first Indianapolis chapter of the AOH was founded on St. Patrick’s Day in 1870. Newspaper records, however, indicate that the group first met in Indianapolis in 1872. By its first anniversary, the Indianapolis chapter had its own meeting hall at the corner of South Street and Delaware Street, a few blocks southwest of Monument Circle. The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the AOH was not formally established in Indianapolis until the 1890s, and records of the group’s activities are scarce. Both organizations grew quickly. In 1910, there were over a thousand members in eight chapters of the AOH in Indianapolis and more than 1100 members in nine chapters of the Ladies’ Auxiliary.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe AOH and Ladies’ Auxiliary were primarily charitable and cultural societies. The groups hosted fundraising events to provide financial support for area Catholic Churches and schools, as well as society members in need. These events also served as a platform to strengthen the Irish community, promote Irish culture, and raise awareness about political and social issues in Ireland.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["Dunn, Jacob Piatt. Greater Indianapolis; The History, the Industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910.","Divita, James J. and Kevin C. Murray. “Ancient Order of Hibernians.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Modified February 2021.","Ó Luain, Kerron. “‘The Majority of Our People Belong to the Working Classes’: The Ancient Order of Hibernians in the United States, c.1850–1884.” Social History 45, no. 1 (January 2, 2020): 52–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/03071022.2020.1694773."],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/6eacf3bfbae1b08b65ade9e227b839e3.jpg":{"id":3409,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Irish Ribbon Society Meeting","description":"The Ribbon Society of Ireland inspired the Irish-American AOH. This illustration shows poor Irish men gathered in a barn in County Monaghan in 1851. The men drank and socialized while planning ways to protect the Irish working class.  | Realities of Irish Life, William Steuart Trench. | 1868","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/6eacf3bfbae1b08b65ade9e227b839e3.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/4235f5eaf30a92bf61084a8ba32f7100.jpg":{"id":3410,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"AOH Constitution","description":"AOH chapters across the country adopted their own unique practices but shared the same values. The 1871 Constitution and By-Laws of the Pennsylvania AOH show the organization’s commitment to “friendship, unity, and true Christian charity” through service and support to members in need.  | The Kehoe Foundation | 1871","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/4235f5eaf30a92bf61084a8ba32f7100.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/9284bd6b9b0a839364e733959dd1d75a.jpg":{"id":3411,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"AOH Parade","description":"St. Patrick’s Day was a major event for the AOH and Ladies’ Auxiliary. The groups often organized parades, as shown in this illustration of the New York City AOH in 1875. These parades allowed the Irish American community to celebrate their Catholic faith and cultural heritage.  | The Kehoe Foundation | 1875","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/9284bd6b9b0a839364e733959dd1d75a.jpg"}}}