The Women of Woodcraft was formed as an auxiliary organization to the Woodmen of the World in 1897. They covered nine western states and for a time their headquarters were in Leadville, Colorado. In 1917, the Women of Woodcraft changed their name to Neighbors of Woodcraft. The Castle Rock branch (or grove as they were called) was formed in 1900 as the Castlewood Circle #328. The Women of Woodcraft was a benefit or benevolent society, which meant that the members made monthly or quarterly contributions and agreed to provide for each other in the event of a sudden death in the family. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s these societies were quite common. With the advent of organized life insurance companies (many of which grew out of the benevolent societies) and Social Security in the 1930’s, many of the benevolent societies disbanded. By 1938, only three members attended the Castlewood Circle regularly. The Neighbors of Woodcraft is still around though; now they are based in Oregon City, Oregon. They sell life insurance and provide monthly benefits and scholarships to orphans of members. |