History of Scouting Archives - Bryan on Scouting

New research reveals an even earlier Black Eagle Scout: Hamilton Bradley of New York

March 24, 2021 8

Hamilton Bradley of New York is the earliest known Black Eagle Scout in BSA history. His Eagle court of honor was held on Dec. 19, 1919.

Black Boy Scout troops joined in Scouting’s earliest days, though the first troop is difficult to pinpoint

February 23, 2021 0

It’s difficult to identify the first Boy Scout troop in the U.S. However, finding the first Black troop is challenging for different reasons.

Meet Harry Cooper of Missouri, one of the first Black Eagle Scouts

February 15, 2021 9

Harry Cooper of Troop 92 from Kansas City, Mo., is one of the first Black Eagle Scouts in the history of the Boy Scouts of America.

Remembering Mary Portis, believed to be the BSA’s first female Scout executive

February 11, 2021 5

On Dec. 13, 1990, Mary Portis became what is believed to be the BSA’s first female Scout executive.

Eight century-old quotes about Scouting that are still relevant today

February 3, 2021 4

As we near the BSA’s birthday on Feb. 8, let’s look back on eight quotes from 1921 that are not-so-surprisingly still relevant today.

Points in history: Three things to know about why Scouts use the fleur-de-lis

January 13, 2021 9

Where else might you find the fleur-de-lis? Why did Baden-Powell choose it to represent Scouting? And what does the symbol mean today?

Help solve the mystery of this 1965 photo showing Scouts, heavyweight boxers

June 12, 2020 0

A Maine newspaper is trying to solve the mystery of a 1965 photo that depicts six Scouts and two heavyweight boxing champs.

On the 100th year since the 19th Amendment, let’s look how Scouts stood with suffragists

March 5, 2020 2

Report to the Nation delegates toured the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

Saluting Joseph Merton, Tuskegee Airmen pilot and barrier-breaking BSA professional

February 21, 2020 3

In honor of Black History Month, let’s remember Joseph Merton, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and the first black leader of the BSA’s older youth division.

10 facts about the first Wood Badge course to celebrate its 100th anniversary

September 6, 2019 9

Over a span of nearly two weeks, they experienced a course that offered “practical instruction as to how a camp should be run.”