Nelson family exhibit opens in October

Step into the stories of York’s African American community through a new exhibit featuring the Nelson family’s remarkable collection of fraternal society artifacts. These items illuminate the vital role that mutual aid organizations played in Black civic life, providing insurance, social support and leadership opportunities often denied to African Americans in the mid-20th century.

The exhibit centers on Lois E. Nelson (1927-2012), who emigrated from Florence, S.C., to York in 1949 and worked as a teacher’s aide in the York City School District. Lois dedicated herself to community service through multiple fraternal organizations: the Daughter of the Elks (Queen Esther Chapter #105), the Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliation (Deborah Grand Chapter #26), and the Household of Ruth (Grand United Order of Odd Fellows). Rising to leadership in her chapters, she served as Past Granddaughter Ruler and Past Worthy Matron. She was also active in the York NAACP, Crispus Attucks and Bethel A.M.E. Church.

The exhibit also features a fraternal jacket and certificates belonging to Lois’s son, Glen “Bugsy” Nelson Jr. (1951-2022), continuing the family’s tradition of service. After graduating from William Penn Senior High School in 1970, Glen earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Central State University, where he joined the Delta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He was also a member of the Social Friendship Lodge 42 of the Prince Hall Masons. Glen spent his career serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Probation and Parole Bureau in Philadelphia.

The Nelson family donation will be on display through the end of October in the Community Case Exhibits on the second floor of the History Center. These rotating exhibits highlight York County organizations and businesses. If you’re interested in partnering on a future case exhibit, please contact Nicole Smith at nsmith@yorkhistorycenter.org.