Uniform, Organizational
Object number2013.1.12 a,b
Datec. 1950
MediumCotton/Velvet/Metal
Credit LineGift of Dolores Sippos
DescriptionUniform consisting of jacket and skirt.
Jacket is purple velvet with gold metallic accent edging on collar and sleeve cuffs. Gold velvet between two rows of edging on collar. Multi-colored flat back plastic jewels attached to gold velvet and cuffs. Gold metallic fringe attached to bottom row edging of collar and cuffs.
Full skirt of purple velvet with gold velvet apron attached to center of waist bearing white embroidered ax encircled with decorative border. Gold metallic edging and fringe on bottom edge of apron. Two rows of gold metallic edging on bottom edge of skirt. Between these rows are twenty golf metal charms/decorations (alternating circular and diamond-shape). Gold metallic fringe attached to bottom edge.DimensionsMeasured laying flat.(a) Height: 19 ; Width (shoulders): 15; Length (sleeve): 11.5
(b) H: 33 ; W (waist): 28 ; H (apron): 18 ; W (apron): 16.5 ; H (diamond-shaped charm): 2.625 ; W: 1.75 ; W/L (circular charm): 1.75; Depth: .5
Historical NotesPart of a collection of items worn by donor Dolores Sippos' mother, Dolores Beiter, and other members of the Fraternal Order of the Daughters of Pocahontas, #114 Council, Redman Hall, Arlington Avenue. Mrs. Beiter belonged to the group c. 1937-1958 when the hall burned down and the chapter closed. The ladies auxiliary of the Improved Order of Red Men (IORM), a fraternal/patriotic society, raised funds for orphans and primarily for a home for the elderly called the Degree of Pocahontas Home for the Aged. In the 1930s there were four councils in the Pittsburgh region. The DOP wore quasi-Native costumes and used quasi-Native terms/rituals in their meetings. The IORM call themselves the "America's oldest fraternal organization," tracing their roots to 1765.The DOP was authorized in 1885. They support various charities and educational programs. Mrs. Beiter was very involved and was often away at meetings and conventions. Many of her Arlington Hill neighbors were also members. Mrs. Beiter was of German descent and a practicing Roman Catholic. Her husband Herman Beiter was a millwright at Jones and Laughlin in the South Side. They were married in 1936, she joined the order in 1937, and they had their daughter the next year in 1938.
Related institution
Degree of Pocahontas
Previous owner
Dolores Beiter
Related institution
Improved Order of Red Men
Related person
Herman Beiter
Related institution
Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
On View
Not on view1926
c. 1950
1985-2005
1897
1971-1978