‘Finally got to visit Masons’ Hall’

    

The view of Masons’ Hall in Richmond, Virginia from across East Franklin Street.

Last weekend, I finally got to visit Masons’ Hall in Richmond, Virginia—add it to your Masonic bucket list. As fraternal destinations go, it’s one of those places that creaks with history and embraces you in a certain atmosphere that defies description. (And long deceased lodge brethren are known to inhabit the building, if you know what I mean.) Attentive readers of The Magpie Mason have noticed a link, along the left side of the page, that has been alerting you for many years to the fundraising effort to maintain this singular historic site.

Most of the brethren present for CWLR’s communication last weekend.

Anyway, about twenty of us were in attendance for Civil War Lodge of Research 1865’s Stated Communication last Saturday, the 11th. The lodge holds its meetings around Virginia and beyond, thanks to dispensations, to pair our gatherings with visits to historic sites relevant to the U.S. Civil War. The capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia certainly is an apt choice for such a calling, but rather than delve into the saga of that conflict, this time we celebrated this engrossing building with a detailed tour and an in-depth discussion of what has happened within its walls.

It is the home of Richmond Randolph Lodge 19. The brethren describe it as “America’s oldest continuously used Masonic lodge room in America’s oldest continuous Masonic lodge building.” Richmond Lodge 10 was chartered in 1780. Five years later, the cornerstone of Masons’ Hall was laid to become the meeting place of both the lodge and the Grand Lodge of Virginia. So, you know how, in early America, Masonic lodge buildings served their communities by doubling as town halls, court houses, post offices, schools, etc., and that was true in this case.

The Randolph in the lodge’s name memorializes Founding Father Edmund Randolph, member of Richmond Lodge 10, delegate to the Continental Congress, first U.S. Attorney General, etc. However, I think the biggest name associated with No. 19 would be John Marshall, also of Richmond 10, who was a building trustee, kept his law office inside, and presided over the court that convened there. He became Chief Justice of the United States in 1801, and served in that capacity until his death in 1835. The lodge performed his Masonic funeral service at nearby Shockoe Hill Cemetery. George Washington? There is no record of him visiting the place, although it is believed to be very likely that he, as U.S. president, had been there on government business during the 1790s.

One hero very much documented visiting was the Marquis de Lafayette, who made a stop in 1824 during his farewell tour of the country. The lodge commissioned a portrait, which normally is on display inside, but currently is on loan to the governor for exhibit as part of the America: Made in Virginia celebration. Click here.

Even Edgar Allan Poe appears in the lodge’s story. While not a Freemason, he became part of Lafayette’s entourage, so he was on hand for the dignitary’s visit. His mother, an actress, is known to have performed at the lodge shortly before her death in 1811 at age twenty-four. In 1860, the Prince of Wales—the future King Edward VII and future Freemason—toured the lodge building. You have to expect these things when you’re situated for centuries at the crux of so many notable persons and events, and the stories of the lodge’s brethren deserve their own recounting.

The East of the lodge room.

I think it was said this was acquired in the 1920s.

 

There’s a chapter room
on the second floor.

My thanks to both Bro. Joyner, for the post-meeting in-depth guided tour, and to Bro. Crocker, for the pre-meeting look around. It is an amazing place which I hope to visit again.

Apron of Thomas U. Dudley, 1834.

I have many more photos and memories, but blogging takes too much time. Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 will meet again Saturday, December 6 at our home lodge, Babcock 184, in Highland Springs to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary. See you there.

Watch this on YouTube.

     

‘Central Virginia Masonic Con’

    

I guess September isn’t that far away anymore. Near the end of that month, a Masonic Con is planned for Virginia. From the publicity:

Central Virginia Masonic Con

Saturday, September 27

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Historic Masons’ Hall

1807 East Franklin Street, Richmond

Click here

Join us for an event open to both Masons and those curious about Freemasonry. This will be a day full of Masonic education on history, our civic connections, and esoteric aspects.

$40 (plus PayPal fee) per person.

Event Speakers

Shaun Bradshaw: Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of North Carolina, 33°, KYGCH, OPC. A “proud Masonic esotericist” because he believes in the transformational power of the Craft’s rituals. He understands the value of Freemasonry as both a fraternity and a Western Mystery Tradition. A passionate promoter of Masonic education in the areas of lodge leadership, administration, and Masonic philosophy.

Akram R. Elias: Past (2008) Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. He has 35 years of professional experience in the fields of Public Diplomacy and Cultural Intelligence. MW Elias is a global speaker on the subject of America: The Great Experiment.

Matt Parker: Founder of the North Carolina Masonic Research Society; Chair of the Grand Lodge Committee on Public Relations; member of the Grand Lodge Library Committee; and 32° Scottish Right Mason, SJ, and member of the York Rite as well as other invitational bodies and esoteric orders.

Jon T. Ruark: Past Master of The Patriot Lodge 1957 in Fairfax. His love of technology and gadgets led him to start The Masonic Roundtable as an online dialogue platform. He is an engineer for the federal government by trade, with Masonic interests leaning toward the esoteric and philosophical aspects of the fraternity.

Your ticket price includes breakfast and lunch, which will be provided. After purchasing a ticket through PayPal, you will be added to the list of ticketed attendees.

All proceeds go to Richmond Randolph Lodge 19 and are intended to cover costs. In the event excess money is collected, it will be donated to Masons’ Hall Historic Preservation efforts.

     

‘Masonic relics discovered!’

    

That’s a little hyperbole. The “relics” are common items, but it is pretty cool that they were recovered yesterday from within a time capsule.

Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia has been undergoing a change recently as its statues memorializing Confederate generals are coming down. The largest Confederate statue in America, a Robert E. Lee atop a 20-foot pedestal, has been retired, leading to the discovery of two time capsules dating to October 27, 1887.

One of the boxes was found inside that mammoth stone plinth. It had been secreted therein by the laborers who erected the giant general. The other, which was opened and explored yesterday, was beneath the monument. It contained many items of local historical interest, including books and other artifacts of Virginia Freemasonry’s post-Civil War era.

Royal Arch Masons. (CBS News)

The truth is no Masonic historian deserving of the title would be at all surprised to find Masonic contributions to a time capsule from late nineteenth century Virginia, but it is comforting to know how the fraternity was so significant that this time capsule, which is smaller than a milk crate, would include multiple proofs that Hiram was there. More info here. (Of course, Richmond is home to Masons’ Hall, which already was more than a century old when this box was buried.)

Grand Lodge Book of Proceedings.
(CBS News)

There is a Grand Lodge Book of Proceedings. And a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch book. A small Templar pamphlet from Richmond Commandery 2 looks like a membership roster. (At that time, Richmond 2 met on fourth Tuesdays, and yesterday was the fourth Tuesday, although I doubt the Sir Knights met between Christmas and New Year’s.) Tucked inside this document is a KT calling card from Past Eminent Commander James Hamilton Capers, who would become R.E. Grand Commander in 1897. There also is a Grand Lodge certificate of some kind. And then there’s a palm-size Square and Compasses made of wood.

Knights Templar booklet, possibly a membership roster of Richmond Commandery 2. (CBS News)

The time capsule is made of copper. It was not watertight, so its contents today are waterlogged, but still in good shape it seems. The metal objects (coins, tokens, musket balls) will clean up well, but the organic (books, papers) items? We’ll have to see what the Virginia Department of Historic Resources can manage. Archaeological Conservator Katherine Ridgway said the contents are “more waterlogged than we had hoped, but not as bad as it could have been.”

A Grand Lodge certificate. (CBS News)

All in all, not a bad day for those of us who understand Freemasonry today by knowing its yesterdays.

Calling card of Sir Knight James Hamilton Capers, who would become R.E. Grand Commander in 1897. (CBS News)

CBS News covered the event yesterday and shares several videos of different lengths on YouTube from which I did my best to capture the photos shown here.

The copper capsule. (CBS News)

That two time capsules were embedded within and beneath the Lee colossus indicates to me that the people of Richmond anticipated their hero’s effigy falling one day, and I’d like to think they’d be delighted to know it survived well into the twenty-first century.

UPDATE: Courtesy of Bro. St. Ecker in Virginia, I can share this newspaper clipping. The W.B. Isaacs mentioned in the lede was Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge.

Click to enlarge.

     

‘1785 Masons’ Hall is ready for its close-up’

     

Way back on August 16, 2016, I shared with you the news of the Masonic temple in Richmond, Virginia embarking on a fundraising mission to affect necessary repairs and improvements to the 1785 structure. Yesterday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported the success of the endeavors.

It is home to Richmond Randolph Lodge 19. The brethren say their building is America’s oldest purpose-built, continuously used Masonic lodge building, which, I think, is claimed by others elsewhere, but I leave that to historians able to track property titles and all that.

 

Click here to read the story, view the slideshow, and watch a short video.

     

‘Help Masons' Hall survive another 200 years’

     

Courtesy Masons' Hall 1785.

A treasure of an eighteenth century Masonic historic site in Virginia is in serious need of repair, and a fundraising effort is underway to secure the money needed to restore the building to greatness, and ensure its longevity far into the future. Even $5 donations are welcome.

Masons’ Hall in Richmond boasts a colorful history as both a Masonic and public space, involving historic figures within the fraternity and in American history. A charitable foundation named Masons’ Hall 1785 was established in 1997 to preserve the building, and to educate the public about its illustrious past.

Click here to donate greatly needed funds.

Give what you can. Perhaps induce your lodge and other Masonic groups to do likewise. Another way to give is to buy memorial bricks. Click here to pursue that avenue.

The following text comes from the foundation’s website and is copyright © 2016 Masons’ Hall 1785.

HISTORY

Richmond’s Shockoe bottom is home to a unique historical gem. Built 1785-87, Masons’ Hall, at 1807 East Franklin Street, is the oldest 18th century frame building with large public spaces in Virginia. The unusual heavy beam structure has been studied by architects and engineers.

Masons’ Hall is associated with Richmond’s leaders. The building was designed and constructed under the leadership of Edmund Randolph and John Marshall. Edmund Randolph was a prominent lawyer, governor, first United States Attorney General and Grand Master of Virginia Masons. Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 was named in his honor. Other grand masters with offices in Masons’ Hall included John Marshall, lawyer and judge, and Solomon Jacobs, Richmond mayor, businessman, and president of his congregation. The Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention met in Masons’ Hall before travelling to Philadelphia in 1787.

The building was a hospital during the War of 1812. The Marquis de Lafayette and his son (named George Washington in honor of the first president) visited Masons’ Hall and were made honorary members in 1824. Richmond City courts and council met in Masons’ Hall. Religious groups unwelcome elsewhere conducted services there during the 19th century. Eliza Poe, mother of Edgar Allen Poe, made her last performance at Masons’ Hall.

There are many interesting stories about Masons’ Hall. One is associated with the end of the Civil War. There was no battle of Richmond in April 1865. As Union armies approached from the southeast along Williamsburg Road, the city was evacuated. Chaos erupted and fires set to destroy military stores raged out of control and laid waste to much of the undefended city. The city fell prey to violence, looting. and rioting. The elderly mayor, under a fluttering white sheet, approached the Union army in a carriage with the urgent request for speed to advance and protect the citizens of the city. The Union army advanced, restored order, and extinguished the fires. Armed Union soldiers were immediately posted to protect three Richmond buildings, one of which was Masons’ Hall. President Lincoln walked near Masons’ Hall on his way to the Virginia Capitol on April 4, 1865, ten days before he was assassinated. Masons’ Hall survived the devastation of war. However, time has taken its toll.

A ceiling beam crack was discovered and a temporary brace installed. Other damage and deterioration were discovered. A comprehensive plan is being developed with the assistance of an architectural firm.

Masons’ Hall should be saved. It is in dire need of repair and restoration. Preliminary estimates exceed $2 million. It should be restored and made available to the public so future generations may visit this exciting and important structure and learn about those who served freedom and tolerance during times this nation was born and strived to survive. Masons’ Hall 1785, a charitable foundation, was established as a tax-exempt foundation by Richmond Circuit Court Judge James B. Wilkinson to preserve Masons’ Hall.

JOSEPH DARMSTADT:

FIRST SAVIOR OF MASONS’ HALL

By Matthew Maggy

Richmond Freemasons

This week we will focus on Joseph Darmstadt, a Richmond Freemason, and first savior of Masons’ Hall. Darmstadt, with other Jews, played a vital role in the growth of Richmond, in civic, business, and cultural matters. He was originally a Hessian soldier. Hessians were German mercenaries hired by the British during the Revolutionary War, and nearly 30,000 of them fought against the American Revolution.

Joeseph Darmstadt was captured during the Battle of Saratoga and was taken to Virginia by American forces. Joseph remained in the Commonwealth after the Revolution, and not long after, he renounced his foreign allegiance, settled in Richmond, and became an auctioneer and merchant in Richmond serving the German farmers of the Shenandoah Valley. His morning ritual of serving coffee on the Shockoe Market made his store a favorite meeting place for local merchants to catch up on news and gossip of the day.

Joseph played a role in the establishment of the first Jewish Congregation in Richmond about 1789. Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalome was the sixth and westernmost congregation in the colonies, and one of the six that congratulated George Washington upon his inauguration as first president. The 1790 census shows Richmond with the fourth largest Jewish population, following only New York, Charleston and Philadelphia. The first Jewish burial ground in the state was established on Franklin Street in 1791 and, the first synagogue was dedicated on Mayo Street in 1822.

He was also an involved Freemason and active member of Richmond No. 10, an original owner of Masons’ Hall, and as a Grand Lodge officer, after he played a vital role in the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

Joseph Darmstadt is likely the first person who should be credited with first saving Masons’ Hall.

In 1791, a considerable sum was owed to the contractors who had erected Masons’ Hall and the contractor had filed a lien that would have forced the sale of the building. Joseph, a generous man, assumed the burden and soon after advanced the money to meet the debt of 247 pounds. Calculated for inflation that would equal $53,000 in 2016. His generosity stopped the sale of the building and has allowed for the building to be used without interruption for the last 227 years!

Sadly Masons’ Hall needs your help today. Five dollar donations are being collected. Please help save this original piece of American history.

If you are interested in more information on the history of Jews in Richmond, please visit Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives.


For more on Masons’ Hall, visit Cornerstone of Richmond here.