‘Researchers discover Acacia in Pennsylvania’

    

Most of the group at Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 yesterday at Acacia 586 in Pennsylvania.

Another great weekend with Civil War Lodge of Research is behind us. Time to look forward to the next one.

Worshipful Master Bill presents Bro. Creighton his Past Master apron. Our Chaplain this year, Creighton is Pastor at Danieltown Baptist Church in North Carolina. He served in the East last year.

We sojourned from our Virginia home to the Keystone State for a visit to Acacia Lodge 586 in Waynesboro for our meeting and additional stops in the area. It’s great to sit in lodge again with Bennett, almost fully recovered from a recent injury, and the brethren. An encouraging turn-out too, with twenty-two present, including a delegation from our host lodge (we don’t always see many from the lodges that welcome us into their temples).

The Worshipful Master in the East at Acacia 586.

We balloted and added another Virginia brother to our ranks too, as Bro. Donald of, I think, Mount Carmel 133 was elected to membership, so our roster numbers 331 members. (That’s a high number for a research lodge, but brethren from Virginia, across the country, and beyond join us.)

Next year’s meeting schedule is taking shape, so look for communications at MAHOVA for our installation in December; then travels to North Carolina in April; the District of Columbia next July; and Frederick, Maryland (or proximity) in October.

The Masonic Building is located
in a beautiful downtown.

Bro. Carl Lynch, Senior Warden of Acacia 586, was our speaker Saturday, presenting his “Thunder on the Mountain: South Mountain During the Civil War.” This is military history with only scant mentions of Freemasonry (a young William McKinley served in the September 1862 Battle of South Mountain, for example). Unfortunately, we were pressed for time, having lunch reservations at a local restaurant, so Bro. Carl had to abridge his talk, but managed to pack a lot of detail into our brains about that region’s great significance in the war.

The altar from the north side.

The Senior Warden’s station in the West.

The Master’s gavel’s sounding block
is a small ashlar.

I’ve always loved the English-style Past Master jewels made and worn in Pennsylvania. I tried to purchase one years ago, but neither of the manufacturers wanted to help me.

This portrait hangs in a place of honor.

Waynesboro itself factored into Gen. Robert E. Lee’s battle plans, as it was a locus of industry then. If you’ve ever heard the improbable story of the Confederate battle plan (Special Order 191) that was lost in transit from Lee to Gen. D.H. Hill—the papers wrapped around three cigars when found by Union soldiers—that was there at South Mountain. Another future U.S. president, a young Rutherford B. Hayes, also among Ohio’s troops, fought and was wounded at this battle. Confederate Lt. Col. George S. James died at South Mountain. He had commanded the mortar battery that initiated the attack on Fort Sumter the year before. He doesn’t get the blame for starting the Civil War, but he in fact fired the shot that was first to hit Fort Sumter. His story continues postmortem because his brother traveled to the battlefield in search of his remains to bring home for burial only to be killed in action himself before finding the unmarked grave a local resident promised to show him.

Lynch did a masterful job of presenting these stories, which is not surprising. He is a Frederick County Park Ranger with lots of experience in explaining to the uninformed these aspects of the war. Plus, he’s a hilarious raconteur!

And this history occurred nearly a year before the Battle of Monterey Pass, immediately after Gettysburg, which is what brought us to Waynesboro in the first place.

Carl spoke for about forty-five minutes; after he finished, we crossed town to eat at a casual lunch spot, which was surprisingly good. The bad news is this left little time for our intended visit to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park & Museum. Civil War Lodge pointedly pairs our meetings with visits to relevant historic sites. There wasn’t a group visit planned this time, so we each were on our own. I could have done it, but would have needed to return to the hotel, change out of my suit & tie and into clothing appropriate for the heat and humidity, which would have made the park’s closing hour even nearer. Instead, I returned to the lodge’s neighborhood, where I’d noticed a few businesses worth visiting.

56 West Main Street in Waynesboro.

Christie’s House of Pipes & Cigars has been located across the street from Acacia since 1980, when founder Eric Christie opened his doors. It’s a small space; don’t expect a huge inventory. Still, I think having an old school tobacconist right outside the temple’s doors is a sign from Providence.

I visited for a few minutes and chatted with Eric. I possess an inventory of pipe mixtures that will outlast me, so I don’t need any more, but I purchased an ounce of what Christie’s names Vesta, an English that “has just the right amount of Virginia, Burley, Toasted Cavendish, Perique, Latakia and Turkish tobaccos,” says his website.

I don’t need more pipe tobacco,
but another ounce can’t hurt.

I will sample this tonight. (In the 1931 Bela Lugosi movie Dracula—but not the Stoker novel—the Vesta is the schooner that brings our favorite vampire to England.)

There are several antiques stores only steps away. To my mind, an antique is something that predates the Second World War, but evidently bric-a-brac from my childhood now occupy the cubic inches of these shops. ($40 for a vinyl Van Halen Diver Down. Cripes.) But there were older items, just don’t look for bargains. Still under the influence of Christie’s, I sought out whatever tobacciana might be about.

These places always have
a lot of Edgeworth tins.

Then I had to return to the hotel for a shower and fresh clothes. The hot wet July air was polluted by Canada’s latest wildfires, and I was wilting in my dark suit. We had dinner reservations at Cashtown Inn, located in Orrtanna, approximately twenty miles away.

 

A familiar statuette decorates
Cashtown Inn’s sitting room.

Cashtown Inn is located in Adams County.

Another pipe!

Most of us remained satiated from lunch, so we disappointed our waitress with modest orders of appetizers, soups, and salads. I tried to compensate by drinking more Yards Porter than I medicinally required. (Is there a more thoughtful guest? I think not!) Still my bill totaled less than $30.

But let me recommend this establishment. In addition to the most charming restaurant, the rooms upstairs are for hire for your overnight stays. A place with its own amazing history.

Finally, bedways was right ways, so it was back to my own hotel for the night’s spatchka. Then it was homeward bound this morning.

Grand Lodge’s 250th anniversary pins
are available. (Not actual size.)

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 will meet next on Saturday, October 10 at Fort Monroe in Virginia, but don’t forget the Grand Master’s Research Lodge Official Visit next month on Saturday the 29th at Haymarket Lodge 313, starting at one o’clock.

     

‘Civil War Lodge to take Monterey Pass’

    

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 will return to Pennsylvania next month to visit the site of the Battle of Monterey Pass.

I admit this campaign has been unknown to me, possibly because it is overshadowed in history by Gettysburg, only about twenty miles northeast, and fought days earlier. As the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park & Museum website puts it:

After three days

of battle at Gettysburg…

...both sides had taken substantial losses. Robert E. Lee’s 50,000 remaining troops of the Army of Northern Virginia needed to withdraw from 80,000 remaining Union troops in George Meade’s Army of the Potomac. Where did they go?

Monterey Pass was the site of a battle that would determine whether Lee would be able to retreat and fight another day. Sixty miles of wagons, loaded with supplies needed to sustain Lee’s army, headed for the river crossing at Williamsport, Maryland to escape to Virginia. Twenty miles of those wagons made their way via Monterey Pass. During the night of July Fourth, 5,000 Union troops, including George Armstrong Custer, attacked this retreating wagon train in the middle of a raging thunderstorm.

The Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum is a 125-acre natural, cultural & historical park located in Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The park and museum preserves a portion of Pennsylvania’s second largest Civil War battle.

The battle included the Toll House, site of the fiercest part of the battle where the Union broke the Confederate line. The Toll House still stands and is privately owned and occupied, though negotiations are underway to bring it into the Park. The Park includes miles of trails with magnificent views of the area….

The lodge, one of six research lodges at labor under the Grand Lodge of Virginia, will meet at Acacia Lodge 586 in Waynesboro on Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m. After lunch, we’ll leave for the battlefield site.

Cashtown Inn

For dinner on both Friday and Saturday, we will gather at Cashtown Inn, itself at the center of the wartime storm.

Read about that here.

Looks like another great weekend with the lodge—my only Masonic appointment for July, and then I’m off duty until the John Skene Masonic Conference at the end of August in New Jersey. (Unfortunately, that will coincide with the Official Visit of MW Matthew Szramoski to Virginia’s research lodges, scheduled for Haymarket Lodge 313, on August 29. Listen, I can’t do everything.)

      

‘Virginia: Reunion of the Founding Lodges’

    

I’m not sure if this is an annual or more occasional event in Virginia, but next month Fredericksburg Lodge 4 will host the 2026 Reunion of the Founding Lodges.

As you know, the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia began to take shape in May 1777, when a meeting of Masons, dubbed deputies, from the diverse lodges was suggested with the idea of choosing a grand master and organizing a grand lodge for Virginia. On Tuesday the 13th, the group was organized, with deputies from Blandford, Cabin Point Royal Arch, Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse, Norfolk, and Williamsburg lodges meeting at that last lodge’s location.

The Commonwealth of Virginia became independent from British rule on June 29 of the previous year, even preceding the “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America” that would be promulgated from Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. But the Masonic consideration of this convention of Freemasons was the nature of authority in the Craft. At that moment, these lodges held charters from the grand lodges of England, Ireland, Pennsylvania, Scotland, and one denominated “America,” according to those meeting minutes. (That last one, I believe, refers to North Carolina.)

Our ancestors here simply wanted local authority to make decisions concerning the fraternity “should any abuses creep into the Lodges, or should any body of the Brotherhood be desirous of forming a new Lodge.” Their reasoning on how to create a new grand lodge simply was based on how the grand lodges in England, Ireland, and Scotland had organized themselves through their own respective sovereignties.

This convention adjourned and reconvened June 23, 1777, again at Williamsburg. The deputies agreed to recommend to their lodges and to all other lodges in Virginia that “His Excellency General George Washington as a proper person to fill the office of Grand Master.” This was two and a half years before the brethren at American Union Lodge in New Jersey attempted to make Washington the grand master of the entire country’s Freemasons. Of course, neither initiative came to fruition.

Fast forward to October 13, 1778, and John Blair, Past Master of Williamsburg Lodge, was elected Grand Master. On October 30, he was installed “into the office of Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Virginia.” (Note no “Ancient.”)

But enough history. On May 16, Fredericksburg 4 will host this event. From the publicity:

Reunion of the Founding Lodges

Saturday, May 16

Fredericksburg, Virginia

This special gathering will bring together brethren and guests, including ladies, from across the Commonwealth for an evening of fellowship, history, and shared tradition in the place where our story began. Please share with your lodge and brethren.

Highlights

• Keynote Address by Most Worshipful Jeff Hodges

• Private viewing of the George Washington Masonic Obligation Bible

• Guided tours of Fredericksburg Lodge 4

• Fredericksburg Area Museum America 250 exhibit with curator-led interpretation

• Festive Board with formal toasts and fellowship

Schedule

2 p.m. – Lodge open for tours

4 p.m. – Museum Tour (Group 1)

4:45 p.m. – Museum Tour (Group 2)

6 p.m. – Social Hour

7 p.m. – Dinner

7:45 p.m. – Festive Board

Festive Board tickets are available here.

We look forward to welcoming brethren and guests from the Founding Lodges and across the Commonwealth as we gather in fellowship and continue the traditions entrusted to us.

I’d love to check this out, but I’ll be with The American Lodge of Research that day for our joint meeting with Ulster Lodge 193 in Saugerties.

     

‘Civil War Lodge’s plans’

    

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 has its designs upon the trestleboard for next month and the ensuing year.

Matthew Szramoski

First, the big news: At the annual communication yesterday, Grand Lodge elected and installed MW Matthew Todd Szramoski into the Grand Master’s chair. The name probably rings a bell; he is in charge at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. And the Research District has a new DDGM: CWLR’s very own Secretary, RW Bennett Hart! Congratulations to everybody on the leadership team for 2026.

Civil War Lodge will meet Saturday, December 6 at Babcock Lodge 322 in Highland Springs, Virginia for our own installation of officers. Our thirtieth anniversary arrives this Thursday, so the Stated Communication will be an extra celebration. As you know, CWLR meetings typically are built into a weekend of activities (I encourage all research lodges to incorporate this idea into your schedules) so there will be Friday and Saturday things to do outside the lodge room, to wit:

Friday, December 5

Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Roberto Italian Restaurant in Sandston

Saturday, December 6

Babcock Lodge 322 in Highland Springs

Open Lodge at 10 a.m.

Installation at noon.

Lunch at one o’clock.

Cold Harbor Battlefield

in Mechanicsville at 3 p.m.

Dinner at Mexico Restaurant

in Sandston at 7 p.m.

Plans for next year (meetings will be in Virginia except where noted) are:

April 11: New Market Battlefield

July 18: Monterey Pass, Pennsylvania

August 29: Grand Master’s Research Lodge Official Visit at Hay Market Lodge 313

October 10: Fort Monroe

December 5: to be determined

I think all these are close enough for me to attend, so hopefully I’ll see you around.

     

‘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.

     

‘New York and Virginia history celebration tomorrow’

    

Click to enlarge.

Masonic and political history will be celebrated tomorrow, the 267th anniversary of the birth of Brother Freemason and U.S. President James Monroe.

The occasion will be commemorated in Virginia both at his birthplace and at his burial place by the James Monroe Memorial Foundation. The annual wreath-laying at the birthplace in Colonial Beach will begin at 2 p.m., but several hours before that, the annual memorial celebration will take place at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond—and that’s where the Masons get involved. From the publicity:

James Monroe Birthday

Memorial Wreath Laying

Monday April 28 at 11 a.m.

Hollywood Cemetery

Richmond, Virginia

Since 1858, President James Monroe has been honored on his birthday at the Monroe Monument in Hollywood Cemetery, where he was re-interred with public ceremonies. President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order providing for the Presidential Wreath to be placed at the burial place of all deceased Presidents.

Since the last century, the James Monroe Memorial Foundation has helped to host this historic event. We invite you to our public ceremonies and the luncheon reception to follow.

New York Governor Daniel Tompkins served as Monroe’s Vice President during his entire administration. Tompkins was also the first Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite [as well as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York]. In commemoration of this bond, the James Monroe Memorial Foundation has offered the Scottish Rite Guard of the Richmond Valley, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the honor of providing a Color Guard for the Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at Monroe’s Tomb. This event is open to the public.

James Monroe Memorial Foundation

The Foundation says “re-interred” because Monroe died in New York City on July 4, 1831 at his daughter’s home and his remains were later removed to Richmond—another New York-Virginia connection in Monroe’s story—and buried again on July 5, 1858.

     

‘Blue Ridge to host its first OV of the DDGM’

    

The Grand Lodge of Virginia now has six(!) research lodges, the newest is Blue Ridge 1738 located in Blacksburg. On Saturday the 15th, the brethren there will welcome RW Jason Curtis Trenary, on the occasion of his first Official Visit as District Deputy Grand Master. (Virginia has a DDGM for its research lodges.)

The lodge meets at 3730 Prices Fork Road, home of Hunter’s Lodge 156, and the gavel will sound at 10 a.m.

     

‘New research DDGM and lodge for Virginia’

    

And, speaking of research lodges (see post below), a transition of authority in the Grand Lodge of Virginia will be achieved in a few hours. Not only will there be a new Grand Master, but with a new administration there will be a new District Deputy Grand Master for the Research District also.

RW Shelby Chandler completed his tenure yesterday, and will be succeeded by RW Jason “Jake” Trenary. The Magpie Mason sends his best wishes to all, and aims to continue serving as this weird distant unofficial publicist.

Shelby circulated the following valedictory statement a few days ago:

Greetings my Brethren,

First off, I wish to say thank you to each and every one of you for making my time as District Deputy Grand Master a cherished memory; I truly enjoyed working with each and every one of you. Because of our work together, every Research Lodge is now getting more attention than ever before, not just in Virginia, but throughout Masonry world-wide like it never has before.

The idea of having a Research District is not just innovative, but is appropriate for us and other jurisdictions. Masons can identify Research Lodges as not just educational, but as resources that can be both geographical and themed-oriented to the needs of Freemasonry. And others are considering usage of such a district elsewhere.

I can say that, like my predecessors, I am very blessed to have had an opportunity to help mold this awareness of the potentials of having both Research Lodges and a Research District. Understand, that between Right Worshipful Brothers Marc Hone, Brian Croteau, myself, and now Jake Trenary, there has been a slow process, not just to standardize and make uniform the operating procedures of each Research Lodge, but to develop a culture and familial relationship among all Virginia Research Lodges. And we have made much progress and have been doing well in this endeavor, but remember my Brothers, it takes each and every one of you to make such a family.

Another point to make is that we, as Research Lodge members, focus on ourselves and our ability to produce research papers, but let us not forget that, as Masons, it is our duty to continue to help the outside world as well. So let us, as Research Lodges, work to support other charitable programs within Masonry as well, because everyone has a claim upon our kind offices.

Here in Virginia, these opportunities to shine our Masonic Light in a new ways would have not been possible without the brilliant vision of two men: Most Worshipful George Chapin, who first envisioned a Research District back in 1999; and Most Worshipful William Hershey, who was Chapin’s Administrative Aide in 1999 and re-introduced the idea of a Research District during his time as Grand Master in 2019. I bring this to your attention because last week, Lady Constance “Connie” Chapin was laid to rest, and today I received word that MW Hershey also laid down his working tools yesterday. So please keep MW George Chapin and Lady Michele Hershey, and their families, in your prayers and let us send to them and their families all the love we can offer to them. And as both these dear Brothers were patrons of our Research District, let us as a district remember, “whence we came.”

Finally my brethren, you will have a new District Deputy Grand Master in Jake Trenary, and a new sister Research Lodge in what is to be the Blue Ridge Lodge of Research No. 1738, out of Blacksburg, Virginia. Please welcome both into your Research Lodges and into your hearts and give them all the support and kindness that you have shown me. Let us wish them all the best and all happiness, and let us give our new Grand Master and his Grand Lodge officers, the very same love and support as well.

I wish each of you all the best and I pray for the success and happiness of every Research Lodge in Virginia. Thank you for all your good works and every cherished moment with each of you. You are each in my memories and in my heart.

May the Great Architect watch over each of you.  

Fraternally,

Shelby Chandler,

DDGM-Research

That a sixth research lodge is chartered in the Grand Lodge is amazing. Located in Blacksburg, Blue Ridge Lodge of Research will serve the western part of the Commonwealth.

Bro. Shelby, you have been a terrific ambassador for research lodges and research Masons. I look forward to seeing your coming adventures in the Craft.

     

‘1764 MM° in November’

     

This sounds like a great day!

I don’t think I’m familiar with the “Book of Hiram.” A ritual exposure, I’ll guess.

I’ll see if Ben mentions it at The ALR on Tuesday.

     

‘Devotional: The Still, Small Voice’

    

It’s been more than a year, but I haven’t gotten used to being a Virginia Mason. Usually, joining a research lodge does not make one a Mason in that lodge’s grand lodge, but the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia sees that differently, and so my affiliation with Civil War Lodge of Research means I’m a Virginia Mason. Still, it doesn’t come to mind until I receive some communication from the Grand Lodge, whether it’s the quarterly print magazine (look for my article on CWLR in the new issue!) or something in my inbox.

As Grand Chaplain, RW Thomas Lee Varner, Jr. emails the brethren occasional essays in which he explores the various Biblical references in Craft ritual. (Virginia’s is very similar to New York’s.) The following is Thursday’s Devotional and is shared here with the kind permission of its author.

This monthly devotional has been approved by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Jack Kayle Lewis. It is the latest in a series discussing Biblical references in our ritual.

The Still, Small Voice

In both the Entered Apprentice and Master Mason degree lectures, we learn that there was not the sound of any tool of iron heard in King Solomon’s temple while it was being built. Why was that? We know that the stones and timbers were cut and prepared elsewhere using iron tools, so the issue was not that the iron was unclean or that it polluted the temple. The scriptures are silent on this point, but perhaps it was that, because the workmen were building the house of God, that a holy and reverent silence needed to be observed. The only sounds were the low commands of the overseers, the whispering of the ropes as they lifted the stones into place, and the tapping of the wooden mauls as they set the timbers upright. They were guided by “that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his Creator” as expressed in the Entered Apprentice degree charge, and were exercising “those truly Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection” as noted in the emblem of the sword pointing to a naked heart in the Master Mason degree lecture. The reverent silence was also needed for them to hear when God spoke to their hearts any additional commands needed for the building.

We say that we were first prepared to be a Mason in our heart, and since we are engaged in the building of our own spiritual temples, it is important for us often to observe a holy and reverent silence to do that work. Psalm 46 instructs us to “Be still and know that I am God.”  A favorite story is that of Elijah in 1 Kings who, after defeating the prophets of Baal and receiving a death sentence from Jezebel, fled to Mt. Horeb, the same mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. God told him to stand and watch, and then sent a mighty windstorm, a tremendous earthquake, and finally an enormous fire, but He was not in any of them. He then spoke to him in a still, small voice, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” And that is how God often speaks to us, not in extraordinary miracles or immense demonstrations of power, but in gentle murmurs to our soul. As Masons, what are we doing here? Our ritual suggests that we are here to make each other better, to extend brotherly love and support to each other and our families, to be moral examples to our community, and to uphold the traditional American values of love of God, love of country, and love of family. In our daily lives filled figuratively with the deafening banging of drums and clashing of cymbals, it is often difficult to hear God’s voice and what He wants us to do. But we know that the Bible contains His still, small voice, and we would do well to set aside quiet time and prayer to make ourselves familiar with it. I assure you that when you seek God, He will not fail you. As it says in the Entered Apprentice lecture, “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you.”

My thanks to our Grand Chaplain for his Devotionals, and for allowing me to share this one here.

     

‘Retired Senator made Mason on Sight’

     

Bro. Pat Roberts, retired U.S. Senator in white apron, and MW Jack Kyle Lewis are flanked by four of the Grand Lodge of Virginia’s District Deputy Grand Masters after the Grand Master made Roberts a Mason on Sight last Wednesday at Andrew Jackson Lodge 120 in Alexandria. (I nicked this photo off Shelby’s Facebook.)

A longtime reader—there literally are several of those—saw the post the other day about Naval Lodge, and took the opportunity to tell me about something novel in the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

Last Wednesday, the sixteenth, Grand Master Jack Lewis exercised a prerogative very rarely seen in the jurisdiction by “Making on Sight” retired U.S. Senator Pat Roberts a Mason. He is a member of Andrew Jackson Lodge 120 in Alexandria. This lodge, now in its 170th year, meets inside the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

Sometimes it is called “at Sight,” and it is found among Mackey’s Landmarks, although not every grand lodge permits it.

There was no mention of this on the Grand Master’s schedule, and I don’t see anything official about it. I was able to find a few mentions on Facebook. I guess we’ll have to wait for the next issue of The Herald. All I know about Sen. Roberts is he represented Kansas in the Senate from 1997 to 2021, and served in the House of Representatives for sixteen years beforehand.

Congratulations to all involved!

The Grand Annual Communication is a few weeks away. Richmond is too far for me, but I hope to attend someday.

     

‘A big anniversary and a St. John’s Day procession’

     

Williamsburg Lodge 6

Williamsburg Lodge 6 in Virginia has a great day planned to mark both St. John’s Day and the lodge’s semiquincentennial birthday. Next month, the brethren, bolstered by the presence of Grand Master Jack Lewis, will open a public meeting of the lodge before heading outdoors. From the publicity:

Williamsburg Lodge 6 AF&AM

233 East Francis Street

Williamsburg, Virginia

Saturday, June 22

Join us in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of Williamsburg Lodge and St. John’s Day.

Most Worshipful Jack K. Lewis, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, will be in attendance.

9 a.m. – coffee and fellowship

9:30 – open lodge (all are welcome) with presentation by RW Don Moro, Grand Organist

10:30 – procession to Bruton Parish Church led by fifes and drums

11 – church program, prayer, and presentation of an eighteenth century Masonic sermon

11:20 – recession to the lodge for lunch and open house

Formal dress for lodge officers with full Masonic regalia. Coat and tie for brethren.

I would love to get down there for one of these events. Can’t make this one, as I’ll be speaking at a Masonic luncheon in New Jersey. June 22 is St. Alban’s Day, which coincidentally will be my topic. Visiting Williamsburg 6 is on my list though!