The materials of the officers of lodges, fraternities and sororities, and other secret societies, were usually retired or "put away" to be on display at the lodge headquarters, or museums. Some were actually were destroyed, while others showed up in flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales.
Antique and vinatage clothing shops will occasionally have them. Early regalia, especially from the nineteenth century are now the most collectable. The textiles that were used were heavy velvets, satins, brocades, and heavy bullion (metallic embroidery threads) and beading. As time went on, the materials were synthetic and all embrodiery was machine made.
The Museum of our National Heritage in Lexington, MA has the best collections of Masonic and other fraternal costumes, along with their history.
Here are some web-sites where you can feast your eyes on "ragalia". Please note that both the Fowler Museum and the Hillwood Art Museum are located on college campuses.
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