Mary Ann Adams Tent #40 was instituted on May 28, 1928 in honor of Mary Ann Adams who was born in Reading, Pennsylvania.

At the age of sixteen she was called to serve as a nurse in the Civil War. In order to alleviate pain of the wounded, Mary Ann once spent two days and nights without sleep. When she did sleep, she used a shed for sleeping quarters.

At the time of the organization of Tent #40, this heroic woman was the only surviving nurse of the Civil War in eastern Pennsylvania. She was living with her daughter and she recalled many experiences on the battle fields to the Tent members.

Mary Ann died at the age of 84. Services were held by the members at the home of the deceased and were conducted by the Tent President, Mrs. Clara Wolff.