Although the Order of the Eastern Star at one time claimed ties to orders in the seventeenth and eighteenth century Swedish royal court, the consensus is that it was largely invented as a companion secret society to Freemasonry in the nineteenth century. Both men who are Masons and women with a family connection to Masons are members, and chapters are found as far afield as Scotland and Australia. The temple in Washington D.C. on New Hampshire Avenue is particularly imposing. The ritual of the order provides opportunities for musical interludes, as do the public meetings, and over the years the Star has supported concerts and choirs.