Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle Home was a Home built from Naitionwide Contributions from its Statwide Woman Memberships. It was a home for its aged members and Orphaned Children. It stood as an iconic symbol of community, social aid, and history. This structure, located in our cherished city, stood not just as a mere building but as a testament to a legacy of social welfare led by extraordinary women in a time when such contributions were sparse and often unrecognized. Unfortunately, in 2022, this historical edifice faced demolition, with only the porch structures and bricks being salvaged. The remaining cemetery and its associated members are now its solitary reminder of what was once a nationally significant social aid movement.

After the merger of two fraternities,  the management  Woodmen of the World the building shifted towards investments, leading to confusion, lack of told history and ultimately demolition. Following organizational transitions and changing property stewardship, the historical significance of the site became increasingly disconnected from public awareness, ultimately contributing to the loss of the institutional structure in 2022. Opportunities for preservation were not fully realized prior to demolition, the destruction of a site embedded with priceless memories, and historical significance. 

Fraternal buildings, much like the one central to our community, served an essential role. These structures have historically been platforms for community gatherings, support, and leadership—this one especially led by women providing aid, education, and a support network that echoed through generations. It’s imperative that our cities see the need to protect such spaces that are laden with rich cultural heritage.

We call on the city to take proactive measures to protect any remaining historical sites associated with the fraternal building and to honour the memory and contributions of those who built and sustained them. This involves reviewing the processes that led to such oversight, ensuring stricter guidelines and accountability in managing properties of historical significance, and restoring any parts of the legacy that may be salvaged.

By signing this petition, you contribute to advocating for the preservation of our historical buildings and ensure that future generations continue to understand and experience the legacies left by those who came before us.  Sign today to support recognition, preservation, and dignified remembrance of this nationally significant history and secure the dignified remembrance of historically significant contributions to social welfare led by women. Together, we can push for a protective societal framework that treasures these irreplaceable assets of our community.