On this day, March 6th, in 1775 a man named Prince Hall and 14 other men of color were initiated into Freemasonry. This work was conducted by Sergeant John Batt of the Irish Militia Lodge No 441, attached to the 38th Foot of the British army When the 38th Foot left Boston in the colony…
Category: Freemasonry
The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1902
The Masonic Temple at One North Broad Street in 1902, home of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. “The stately Masonic Temple, some thirty years old at the time of this photograph, seems a symbol of stability, for it remains virtually unchanged today. Across Broad Street, however, the site of Reyburn Plaza and the present Municipal…
The Handshake
“So here’s a hand my trusty friend” – Bro. Robert Burns (1759-1796) During the latter part of January many lodges hold events celebrating the birthday of Bro. Robbie Burns (25 January 1759). The kilt will be worn, the haggis will be addressed, the pipes will play, and the Immortal Memory of Scotland’s favourite son will be toasted with…
Brother James Buchanan’s Lodge Petition
Shown here is the actual petition for membership of Brother James Buchanan, written in his own hand, dated 1816! It reads: “To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Lodge No. 43 Ancient York Masons, The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth that having long entertained a favourable opinion of your ancient institutions, he is…
Famous Freemasons: Bro. Gordon Cooper
Brother Gordon Cooper was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts – the first manned mission to space. He also acted as the command pilot for Gemini 5. Cooper was fond of carrying Masonic items to space. He reportedly carried a Masonic coin, a Masonic flag, and a Scottish Rite banner on various missions. He…
Gothic Hall
While The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia is gorgeous, there were several other grand Masonic edifices in the city prior to its construction. Once such building was the 1855 Masonic Hall, which was consumed by fire. Remnants of that building can still be found in today’s Temple. For instance, the seats in Gothic Hall were actually…
Notable Freemasons: Edward Jenner
Edward Jenner (b. 1749; d. 1823) was an English physician who was a contributor to the development of the smallpox vaccine. The practice of vaccination was popularized by Jenner, and since then has been used vigorously to prevent several diseases. The terms vaccine and vaccination are derived from Variolae vaccinae (smallpox of the cow), the…
Cruise Control
Ralph R, Teetor, of Hagerstown, Indiana, where he was a member of Hagerstown Lodge, was blinded in an accident at the age of 5, but he never let his loss of sight stop his ingenious work in the filed of engineering. One of his inventions used today by countless numbers of motorists on the highway…
Masonic Wages
Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold or silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are earned and paid in t heir dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason….
Honoring PGM Edward O. Weisser
From the Facebook page of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: To honor the recent passing of Past Grand Master Edward O. Weisser, Newtown Lodge #427 F. & A.M., his portrait will be displayed in the Grand Foyer for 30 days. This teacher, small business owner, Philadelphia Mummers String Band Hall of Famer and family man…