‘Moonlighting for 215 years’

    

Happy 215th anniversary to Warren Lodge 32!

On this date in 1807, Grand Lodge granted the petition of local Masons to charter the lodge at Pine Plains. Warren not only remains at labor, but it in fact is New York Freemasonry’s last “full moon lodge,” meaning the brethren convene their meetings by the light of the full moon. Give or take.

Warren Lodge 32

I know what you’re thinking: “There’s a lodge that doesn’t talk about the electric bill!” It’s just that instead of meeting on specific weeknights, Warren awaits maximum moonlight. Or thereabouts. It was the necessary custom for safe traveling generations ago for lodges to meet when the moon granted the most light. In modern times, they gather on the Thursday before the full moon.

Things will be a little different in August. That month, the full moon (called the Sturgeon Moon) will arrive on a Thursday night, but the lodge will meet during the weekend, on Saturday the 13th, when the brethren will host an outdoor Festive Board by lantern light. The flier has all the details, but to book your seats, email the Secretary here.

Click to enlarge.