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Michael Harrison Charles, the son of Melvin Mower and Sylvia Ann Cookus Charles, was born in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He was educated at Jacksonville Episcopal High School, the University of Florida, Florida State University and New York University.

Mr. Charles is a well-known interior designer having worked for several major architectural firms before founding Michael H. Charles Associates in 1985. His designs have been published in numerous magazines and books over the years and he was the recipient of the prestigious Wool Bureau Award for fabric design. Michael H. Charles Associates maintains offices in New York City and St. Augustine, Florida.

Memberships

  • Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia (life member)

  • General Society of Colonial Wars (Secretary and life member of the New York Society; regular member of the Florida Society; Gentleman of the Council of the New York Society)

  • National Gavel Society

  • Hereditary Order of the Descendants of Colonial Governors (Honorary Governor General; life member)

  • Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York (life member; Member of the Council)

  • Colonial Order of the Acorn (life member)

  • Order of the Indian Wars of the United States (life member)

  • General Society Sons of the Revolution (member in the States of New York and Pennsylvania; life member of NY Society; Fraunces Tavern Museum Board Member)

  • Saint Andrews Society of New York (life member)

  • Saint David Society of New York (life member)

  • Saint George's Society of New York (life member; Board member; Chairman Activities; Chairman - Queen's Jubilee 2002; Ball Committee)

  • Society of the Sons of Saint George of Philadelphia (life member)

  • Military Society of the War of 1812 (life member)

  • Veteran Corps of Artillery State of New York (life member)

  • The Huguenot Society of America (life member; Registrar General; Member of the Membership Committee)

  • Colonial Society of Pennsylvania

  • Military Order of the Stars and Bars (life member; Commander of the New York Society)

  • Order of the Southern Cross (life member)

  • Dutch Settlers Society of Albany (life member)

  • Huguenot Society of Pennsylvania (life member)

  • National Society Sons of the American Colonists (life member; former Vice President General)

  • Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy (life member)

  • Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Secretary General)

  • Flagon and Trencher (life member)

  • Descendants of the Founders of New Jersey (Councilor General)

  • National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (life member)

  • Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia (life member)

  • Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians & Chirurgiens (life member)

  • Sons and Daughters of the Colonial & Antebellum Bench and Bar 1585-1861 (life member)

  • National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (life member)

  • National Society Sons of the American Revolution (Florida State, Past Regional Vice President; Organizing President, St. Augustine Chapter; First Continental Chapter, New York City, Member of the Council)

  • General Society of the War of 1812 (former Florida State President)

  • National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Florida and New York; Councilor - New York Branch)

  • Naval Order of the United States (New York Commandery)

  • Son of Confederate Veterans (Commander, Gen. Archibald Gracie, Jr. Camp #985)

  • Burns Society of the City of New York

Chivalric Orders

  • Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Commander)

  • Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (past Prior of St. Michael & St. George New York City Priory; Silver Pilgrim Shell)

Listed In

  • Marquis Who's Who in America

  • Who's Who in Interior Design

  • The Social Index (Palm Beach, Florida)

Other Notes

Mr. Charles is a member of the Pilgrims of the United States, New York, as well as The Honourable Company of Freemen of London. He is also a member of St. Thomas Church of Fifth Avenue where he serves as Head Usher, and on the Choir School Benefit Committee, as Acquisitions Chairman, and on the Stewardship Committee. He is a life member of the Society of Mary; Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament; Guild of All Souls; Society of King Charles the Martyr; and the Church Club of New York where he served as a member of Events Committee.

Mr. Charles is past Worshipful Master of the Masonic Independent Royal Arch Lodge #2 F&AM, of New York City. He has served as Junior Warden and Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Charles is also a member of Long I Grotto; Scottish Rite, Valley of New York, 32 degree; Ancient Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, New York City; Columbian Council, Cryptic Masons, New York City; Morton Commandery, Knights Templar, New York City; Paumonock Council, Knight Masons, New York City; Quatuor Coronoti Lodge #2076, London, England; and the Royal Order of Scotland.

He is a member of the Ponte Vedra Club of Jacksonville, FL; the St. Augustine Yacht Club; the Royal Scottish Automobile Club of Glasgow, Scotland; and the Lansdowne Club of London of London, England.

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