Chowder and Marching Society

[Dodi Schultz]

Barry Popik asked about the above.

Generically (all l/c), the term "chowder and marching society" (or "club")
seems to be pretty widely used to denote any civic/get-together group that
combines community service with social interaction.

Groups so named formally ("Chowder and Marching Society") appear to go back
to the mid-19th century. A column in the Maine Journal for 3 July 2000
refers to a town's "Chowder and Marching Society band," described as "a
venerable institution founded during the Civil War..." The account goes on
to describe the group's activities during the 1880s.

See:

      http://storytellers.maine.com/july_3_2000.home

--Dodi Schultz