Chester Lodge No. 363, Knights of Pythias, was organized in the year 1894, and the lodge charter is dated July 25 of that year. The lodge was started with a membership of twenty-one, which has increased to forty Knights. The lodge conventions are held every Thursday evening at Castle Hall, in the Wilkin building. The sums paid to members in sick benefits since the organization amount to $1,000. Standard Lodge No. 711, F. & A. M., was instituted July 27, 1871, and continued to meet in this place, where many of its members resided until a few years ago, when a majority decided to change its place of meeting to Monroe. The Chester National Bank was organized in the year 1845 as a State bank, and became a national bank on June 6, 1865. The bank occupies the up-to-date quarters in its new building, erected in 1896, on Main street. The building is of brick, with Quincy granite facing, built at a cost of $10,000, its fire and burglar-proof vault containing 100 safe-deposit boxes, at an added cost of $8,000. Chester free library, organized through the effort of Chester Library and Social Club, was chartered by the University of the State of New York, December 19, 1901. The original trustees were Hiram Tuthill, president; Charles W. Kerner, secretary and treasurer; Joseph Board, Joseph Durland and Roswell W. Chamberlain, trustees. Mrs. Abbie Masters is librarian. The library owns about 800 volumes, and in 1907 circulated 3,543 books. It is supported by voluntary contributions and entertainments. The reading room, which is well supplied with periodicals and the library, are open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening's and Saturday afternoons. [Illustration: Joseph Durland] The Young Men's Christian Association was organized March 1, 1907, with 110 members. The members occupy the rooms in the Lawrence building. The society started in a very flourishing condition. There have been various organizations from time to time in Chester to advance its interests. The Board of Trade was organized October 1, 1900, with Frank Durland, president; W. A. Lawrence, vice-president; Charles W. Kerner, secretary; Hiram Tuthill, treasurer. Directors, Joseph Board, William Osborne, George Vail, G. M. Roe. The Board of Trade represents the spirit that has effected co-operation in many ways for advancing the interests of the town. Among them are the incorporation of our village and the securing of the water supply from Walton Lake, and the Telford streets. At present the officers are looking forward to the development of the suburban idea on the beautiful site that our village affords, and will welcome desirable manufacturing interests.