10 Strange Societies That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Author: Matt Gilligan / Source: did you know?

You may have heard of Skull and Bones and other secret societies where members are sworn to a lifetime of silence about the group’s sketchy activities, but it’s doubtful you’ve heard of these other, even more secret associations.

Or at least they’re less well known…which is pretty much the same thing.

While some are mostly for fun, some are far more sinister. Take a look at these 10 strange societies.

1. The Alfalfa Club

This group was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1913 to celebrate Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s birthday. It consists of super wealthy and influential people and boasts around 200 members.

The society throws a huge annual party once a year and sometimes presidents even speak at the event, including Barack Obama. The group did not admit women into its ranks until 1994. There is only a vacancy when someone dies, and members must be invited by the group.

2. The Dill Pickle Club

Jack Jones formed this group in 1914 to mostly discuss labor issues. Jones was an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World. Once Prohibition became law in 1920, the Dill Pickle Club became a speakeasy where members could get get boozed up.

The society was shut down in the 1930s after Jack Jones decided to stop paying protection money to the mob.

This one is pretty simple, but still kind of odd: the group appreciates roundabouts. Why not, right? These folks also believe that straight roads are incredibly boring and that roundabouts should be installed wherever possible. They also push for putting art in these roundabouts to spruce them up.

The founder, Kevin Beresford, is known as the “Lord of the Rings.” Get it?