United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD)

UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS (U.A.O.D.) -  The Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) is a fraternal organization founded in London, England in 1781 that still operates to this day.  It is the earliest known English group to be founded based upon the iconography of the ancient druids, who were priest-like figures in Iron Age Celtic paganism.  As such, the Order was an early influence upon the development of the Neo-druidic movement, however it differs from most contemporary Neo-druidic groups in that it does not hold to a Neo-pagan religion, and is "not a religious organization – in fact any discussion on religion or politics is forbidden within the lodge rooms".  Instead its members are expected "to preserve and practice the main principles attributed to the early Druids, particularly those of justice, benevolence and friendship."

The United Ancient Order of Druids first came to the United States in 1830 and the first lodge, the George Washington Lodge #1, was established in New York City in 1839.  This order was open to white males eighteen and older who were of good moral character and in good health.  Women could join auxiliaries called "Circles", which also has male members. For a while the group was prosperous, counting 17,000 members in 1896, and 35,000 in 1923, according to Statistics, Fraternal Societies. However the group began to decline in the 1930s and was apparently defunct by 1979.