Degree of Honor Protective Association Building

The Degree of Honor Protective Association Building is a former office tower in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, at 325 Cedar Street. It was built in 1961 and housed the Degree of Honor Protective Association's headquarters. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 for its role in social history. The Degree of Honor Protective Association was a women's fraternal benefit society and had member lodges across the country. It originated as a women's auxiliary to the Ancient Order of United Workmen in 1873. The Degree of Honor Protective Association began offering an insurance program to members in 1882. By 1908, the Ancient Order of United Workmen organization was in disarray, with many local lodges withdrawing from the Supreme Lodge, so it was apparent that the Degree of Honor needed to become an independent organization. The split was complete in 1910. By 1924, the Degree of Honor Protective Association had over 800 member lodges and had more than $24 million of insurance in force. Around 1926, the association bought a building in St. Paul at 389 Saint Peter Street (since razed) known as the Schiffman Building. In 1953, Edna Dugan became president of the association and had a goal of modernizing, expanding, and rebranding the association. She was also committed to supporting St. Paul's local economy. Late in the 1950s, downtown St. Paul

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