The Magpie Mason

The Magpie Mason is an obscure journalist in the Craft who writes, with occasional flashes of superficial cleverness, about Freemasonry’s current events and history; literature and art; philosophy and pipe smoking. He is a Past Master of both The American Lodge of Research in New York City and of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786; and also is at labor in Virginia’s Civil War Lodge of Research 1865. He is a past president of the lamented Masonic Society as well.

Sunday, August 16, 2026

‘Make noise with this tool of iron’

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     Just because no tool of iron was heard in the construction of King Solomon’s Temple doesn’t mean you can’t bang around a cast iron skil...
Saturday, August 15, 2026

‘Gerry Kollath, 1962-2026’

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     Bro. Gerry Kollath A grim week here at Magpie headquarters upon learning of the death of Bro. Gerry Kollath, the first friend I made at...
Friday, August 14, 2026

‘Oscar Night: November 15!’

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     Not only is Sunday “baking day” in my household, but November 15 is actually National Bundt Day. I’ll have to set aside all that this y...
Thursday, August 13, 2026

‘Étoile Polaire memorial for Chip Borne’

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     Étoile Polaire Lodge 1 in New Orleans will host a memorial to the lamented Chip Borne in three weeks. This graphic has all the info. Th...
Monday, August 10, 2026

‘Prince Hall grand historian to speak’

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     This year brings the sesquicentennial anniversary of the formation of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland, and an e...
Sunday, August 9, 2026

‘Research lodge installs officers’

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     Frank Kautz photo Massachusetts Lodge of Research’s officers for 2026-27 were installed yesterday at Tahattawan Lodge in Littleton. Mas...
Saturday, August 8, 2026

‘Thomas Harper 9612 to meet’

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     Reaching its thirtieth anniversary this year is Thomas Harper Lodge 9612 in the United Grand Lodge of England. It is a research lodge, ...
Friday, August 7, 2026

‘Wildblood Lodge to showcase America250 talks’

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     Click to enlarge. A third presentation has been added to the agenda of Vermont’s research lodge for its meeting next Saturday. The flie...
Wednesday, August 5, 2026

‘At last: The Book M’

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     The Masonic Book Club has done it again—or at least it will later this year. The 2026 volume , announced by the MBC and Arturo de Hoyos...
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Tuesday, August 4, 2026

‘Washington Bible to be displayed in Hudson Valley’

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     Click here to RSVP. The public is invited to view and learn about the George Washington Inaugural Bible next Saturday in the Hudson Va...
Monday, August 3, 2026

‘Calling photographers, videographers, etc.’

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     Macoy Masonic Supply Co. has a unique proposition for you. The venerable retailer of the stuff we need asks its clients to send in phot...
Sunday, August 2, 2026

‘FT approaches UGLE’s membership concerns’

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     Charlie Bibby/Financial Times W. Bro. Nando Caicedo strikes a pose, as before in the Metro story last week, at Freemasons’ Hall. He ap...

‘Free museum tours for Heritage Days’

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     Sortir à Paris If you happen to find yourself in Paris next month, maybe you’ll be there during Heritage Days, when the Grand Orient wi...
Saturday, August 1, 2026

‘Colonial EA° at New Haven’

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     Hiram Lodge 1 Hiram Lodge 1 in New Haven plans a Colonial EA° four weeks from today. Dinner will be served at the Annex YMA Club , and ...
Friday, July 31, 2026

‘The Square: Recruitment is Dead’

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     I close July by directing you to this month’s The Square magazine, brought to my attention by longtime reader Edward, who also saw Wed...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026

‘Metro writes up the UGLE’

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     Nick Edwards for Metro Nando Caicedo strikes a pose inside the Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall, London. A Mason for six years, he appe...
Sunday, July 26, 2026

‘Happy to receive Lodges of Sorrow after all’

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     I wasn’t looking forward to reading this latest bonus book from the Scottish Rite Research Society. There’s more than adequate morbidit...
Saturday, July 25, 2026

‘Anson Jones Lecture announced’

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     The Anson Jones Lecture is one of the most prestigious lectures in the Masonic world. Second only to England’s Prestonian Lectures (whi...
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