Part social club, part 'fraternal order', the Benevolent Elks have grown quite a bit since the organization's humble beginnings in 1868; currently there are an estimated one million members scattered throughout 2,000 lodges across the country. This location, Lodge 10, is known as "the New England mother lodge." It moved into the space at the corner of Spring and Morrell in 2007, directly behind the VA Hospital. Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Ford were all active Elks Lodge members.