Restored Odd Fellows "Links" return to downtown Redmond

Redmond Bar & Grill's three gold rings

Redmond, WA. -- On December 4, 2012, Roger Waterhouse and Glenn Kearney of Artech, Inc. fastened the restored Odd Fellows links to the front façade of the historic Odd Fellows Hall, at 7979 Leary Way. The Odd Fellows Hall is designated a historic landmark and is one of the most prominent wood frame buildings in downtown Redmond. Built in 1903, this distinctive structure served many purposes for the local community as a meeting hall; fraternal lodge for the Redmond Eagles and then the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; performance and dance hall, the City’s first movie venue; commercial space for Edwardian Antiques; and now Redmond’s Bar and Grill.

Odd Fellows’ three links combine to represent a chain. “The first represents friendship, the second love and the third truth”,  Read More >>

 Bruce R. Kenyon, a long-term Redmond resident and 57 year member I.O.O.F. described. His family includes five generations of Odd Fellows including his service as the former Grand Ruler (presiding Officer) of the Washington and Alaska jurisdiction and his wife’s service as Secretary of the California jurisdiction as well as the Odd Fellows’ youth organization – the United Youth Group. He recalled assisting with a haunted house event at the Odd Fellows Hall in the 1970’s – “kids came in the front door, up the stairs, and out the back door”. A former classmate of Mr. Kenyon, Judy Lang remembered attending Friday night Teen Canteen dances at Odd Fellows Hall, chaperoned by Mae and “Weed” Sorwiede; “These were for Redmond kids. They locked you in and you stayed because once you left, you were done for the night.” She described the Canteen as a safe place for Redmond’s youth to gather while their parents enjoyed other Downtown Redmond establishments.

The restoration and installation process was coordinated by Tim Short, proprietor of Redmond’s Bar and Grill with support from the City of Redmond’s Heritage Grant Program for the restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of historic properties.

 

Artech, Inc. handles and restores art and cultural pieces throughout the Puget Sound and managed the restoration of the Odd Fellows links. To learn more about the Odd Fellows Hall and the restoration process, visit: http://www.redmond.gov/Government/HistoricPreservation/CityLandmarks/oddfellowshall

For additional historic information, visit the Redmond Historical Society at www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or contact Kimberly Dietz at 425-556-2415 or kdietz@redmond.gov.