History of the Order of the Beaver

During the Second Annual Northeast Rendevous in North Springfield, Vermont, 1989, buckskinning Freemasons that would later become the charter members of the North American Order of the Beaver (N.A.O.O.T.B.) met for the first time to discuss having a buckskinners' degree. The Third Annual Northeast Rendevous was held in Exeter, Rhode Island in 1990, and became the occasion of the first conferral of the "buckskinners' degree."

The degree, known to many as the Beaver Degree, may be given to any Masonic "buckskinner" in pre-1840 attire, by a member of the N.A.O.O.T.B., in a lodge of primitive setting. A minimum of two members of N.A.O.O.T.B. is required to present this degree to any Master Mason with a current and valid dues card, having paid the fee set by the charter members numbered 1 through 20.

Booklet of the Members 2009 - Dedication

Cotton Volrath has been the Guardian of the Pond since the 20 charter members started the North American Order of the Beaver at Exeter, Rhode Island in 1990. He has been an inspiration to all whose lives he has touched. Cotton and his better half, Bea, have been the driving force for our fraternal order remaining solvent these 20 years. It has been decided they will pass the reins of the day-to-day responsibility of the order to the very capable Hank Steinmetz as Guardian of the Pond.

Please join me in wishing Cotton and Bea the highest of fraternal honors for a job well done.

Kenney Moore
Holder of the Quill
Beaver #366