‘Buy these books to celebrate Virginia’s 250th’

    

In addition to what, I’m sure, will be many 2026 Masonic festivities for the 250th anniversary of the Founding of the United States via our Declaration of Independence, and many more 250th commemorations of more Founding events, there will be Masonic milestones too. The Grand Lodge of Virginia, the oldest independent Masonic grand lodge in the country, was organized on this date in 1778. (I’m not talking about provincial grand lodges and other embryony that date to the 1730s. I mean specifically post-Declaration grand lodges in the United States.) Now, the Virginia brethren have allied with Macoy Masonic Supply Co. to contribute to the fundraising for a suitable semiquincentennial celebration.

Books are for sale!

From the publicity:

We are already getting prepared for 2028 when the Grand Lodge of Virginia will be celebrating its 250th anniversary. To keep the costs down so all members can participate, we are creating new ways to raise funds and still serve the Craft in a meaningful way.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia has proudly partnered with the oldest Masonic publisher and supplier—Virginia’s own Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc.—by offering Virginia Masons an exclusive opportunity to be the first to purchase a small piece of Masonic history. 

Over the years, the estates of brethren who have passed to the celestial lodge above donate the books from the departed brethren’s libraries. Some of these books are bought and sold by rare book collectors because they date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Other books are more valuable because of the Masonic knowledge they have within their pages. Many have signatures in the front from brothers who were members of lodges all over the state.

Click here.

Periodically, this collection will be refreshed and additional books will be added to the site. If you would like to receive updates and get more information on the books that are available, please click here and Macoy will send you emails as new items are added to the site.

All proceeds of these book sales will go directly to the 250th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Thank you for your time and consideration, and we hope you enjoy this exciting opportunity!

1778 Society

In addition, Grand Lodge has created the 1778 Society to streamline fundraising for the semiquincentennial festivities. At this time, orders are being taken for breast jewels to be given in recognition of gifts to the Society. Donor levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and you can read more about that here.

Magpie coverage of Saturday’s meeting of Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 in Richmond is forthcoming, but it was a great day and I’m glad I made the trip.