‘Looking to October in Tappan’

   

Magpie file photo

DeWint House historic site, owned and maintained by the Grand Lodge

of New York for the enjoyment of the public, located in Tappan, NY.

It’s hard to think of October right now, but Grand Master’s Day will take place Sunday, October 2 at DeWint House in Tappan, New York.

Masons, family, and friends are invited to take part in what I consider to be one of the most enjoyable afternoons on the Masonic calendar. I have been attending since, I think, 2009, and the weather has been perfect all but once, and even that was just a little brief rain.

A terrific buffet brunch (the most important meal between breakfast and lunch!) at The ’76 House (110 Main Street, Tappan) begins at 11 a.m. Seating is very limited, so advance payment is required to hold your place. Those details still to come.

At 1 p.m., the festivities at DeWint House (20 Livingston Avenue, Tappan) will begin. The program details are still to come.


Click here to see more of this wonderful historic site and museum, but better yet, get there some time to visit. If you cannot attend Grand Master’s Day, go to DeWint House during its regular hours and see this treasure for yourself.
      

‘Grand Master’s Day’

   

Magpie file photo

It’s that time of year! Well, not really. Grand Master’s Day 2015 was canceled for October 4, but has been rescheduled for March 13, 2016 at DeWint House in Tappan, New York.

Masons, family, and friends are invited to take part in what I consider to be one of the most enjoyable afternoons on the Masonic calendar. I have been attending since, I think, 2009, and the weather has been perfect all but once, and even that was just a little brief rain.

A terrific buffet brunch at The ’76 House (110 Main Street, Tappan) begins at 11:30 a.m. Seating is very limited, so advance payment is required to hold your place. Make $25-per-person check payable to The ’76 House, and remit to Ken Merring. Contact him here.

At 1 p.m., the festivities at DeWint House (20 Livingston Avenue, Tappan) will begin. The program starts with brethren from West Point Lodge No. 877 presenting the colors with the assistance of cadets from the U.S. Military Academy and Masonic War Veterans of the State of New York, the National Sojourners, and the Heroes of ’76. In addition to addresses by both Grand Master William J. Thomas and Deputy Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson, there will be entertainment provided by the Chorus of Tappan Zee, and Mr. Jack Sherry appearing in his guise as Benjamin Franklin.

Continuing the tradition, a tree—a sycamore this time—will be dedicated in honor of the Grand Master.

Click here to see more of this wonderful historic site and museum, but better yet, get there some time to visit. If you cannot attend Grand Master’s Day, go to DeWint House during its regular hours and see this treasure for yourself.
    

‘Washington’s birthday at DeWint House’

     

DeWint House in Tappan, New York.

CANCELED DUE TO SNOW

DeWint House, the George Washington Headquarters historic site and museum—owned and operated by the Free and Accepted Masons of New York—has announced its 2015 Washington’s Birthday plans. From the publicity:

His Excellency George Washington’s

Birthday Celebration

The George Washington Masonic Historic Site

20 Livingston Avenue

Tappan, New York

Sunday, February 8

(Snow Day Sunday, February 15)

All are welcome to attend services at the Tappan Reformed Church. Services begin at 10 a.m.

A brunch will be served at Old ’76 House. Serving will begin at 11:30 a.m. Details below. Reservations required.

The Annual Washington’s Birthday program at DeWint House will begin at 1 p.m. Program: Re-enactment of Revolutionary War Events by Gary Petigienne and Sean Grady.

Refreshments will be served following the program.

     

‘Grand Master’s Day next month’

     
Usually held on the first Sunday of October, Grand Master’s Day this year is scheduled for Sunday, August 24. The typical great day of events remains unchanged. From the publicity:

Magpie file photo

DeWint House in Tappan, NY.

MW William J. Thomas, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, will make the annual Grand Master’s Day visit to DeWint House, the George Washington Historic Site at Tappan, New York on Sunday, August 24. Masons, families, and friends are invited.

10 a.m. – Worship service at Tappan Reformed Church, located at 32 Old Tappan Road.

11:30 – Luncheon at Old ’76 House, at 110 Main Street. $25 per person in advance only. Make checks payable to Old ’76 House, and mail to Robert Blanke, 27 Pine Lane, New City, NY 10956-6534 no later than August 14.

Magpie file photo

Old '76 House, a great place to eat and drink, and a historic site itself.

1 p.m. – Grand Master’s Day Ceremonies at DeWint House, located at 20 Livingston Street.

Attractions:

An honor guard from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, accompanied by the National Sojourners and the Heroes of ’76, who will present the flag of the United States.

Back by popular demand, we will enjoy the choral group Chorus of the Tappan Zee, singing patriotic songs during the program.

Jeffrey M. Williamson

Remarks by the Deputy Grand Master, RW Jeffrey M. Williamson; and the Address by MW Grand Master William J. Thomas.

Tree dedication honoring RW Norman Moon, Chairman Emeritus of the DeWint House Committee.


Light refreshments will be served following completion of the program.

Everyone is invited to this affair. Bring your families and friends. We always try to promote this beautiful site. Anyone interested in the history of our country, this site had a part in that formation. If you have never been there, now is the time to do it. See the beautiful grounds, and walk in the footsteps of George Washington and his troops. Honor our Grand Master with your presence as Masons. The committee will be happy to show you to the interior of the DeWint House and the Carriage House, filled with artifacts from the Colonial era. This is a site that will fill you with much pride.

For further information, contact RW Louis Irizarry at athelstanian839(at)yahoo(dot)com


I also encourage attendance at Grand Master’s Day. I know Sunday is less than perfect timing for Masonic doings, but even if you want to forego the brunch (you’d be foolish) and the church service, and attend only the event at DeWint House, you’d be glad you did. It’s not an all-day affair. It starts on time at one o’clock and concludes in about an hour. Tour the museums. In addition to the period furnished DeWint House itself, there is the Carriage House, which is packed with antiques and interesting things to see. The grounds of DeWint House are beautiful, with many exotic trees, plenty of flowers, historic sights, etc. It’s always a great day. Click here to see photos of past events at this treasure of a site.
     

‘Temples lie open unto the fields’

    
(With apologies to William Wordsworth.)

Hard to believe Grand Masters Day arrives next weekend, but here we are. Summer is over; Masons are at labor; and my paltry speaking tour to raise funds for The American Lodge of Research resumes.

If you haven’t heard already (where have you been?) Grand Masters Day will be Sunday, October 7 at DeWint House, located at 20 Livingston Street in Tappan, New York. Just a short drive from Manhattan, and only five minutes outside Bergen County, New Jersey. DeWint House is worth your time on any day. It is open to the public, free of charge, Tuesday through Sunday. The meticulously groomed historic campus consists of the 17th century Dutch Colonial home, that also happens to be the oldest structure in Rockland County, and is famous for serving several times as Gen. George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution. (To learn more, click here. Also, scroll down to the Magpie Index at left, and click on DeWint House to see previous posts about this amazing site, including a number of photographs.) In addition, there is the Carriage House, which is packed with Masonic pieces and other antiques. Your eyes won’t know where to look first. In addition, the landscape itself is wonderful, with exotic trees and beautiful plants and flowers, and even a group of graves that will leave a lump in your throat.

If you’ve never been there, make plans to go, even if you can’t make it on October 7. If you do attend on October 7, be prepared to hear me speak. I am much honored to be DeWint House’s guest speaker that afternoon in the presence of so many Masonic dignitaries and friends of Freemasonry. (The good news is they’ve limited me to only eight minutes, so it won’t be too bad!) In “Temples Lie Open unto the Fields,” I will discuss DeWint House as a crucial example of the proper way American heroes and principles should be memorialized for posterity.

It all begins at 2 p.m., but there will be a brunch at 11:30 a.m. at ’76 House, located right around the corner. See the invitation below for RSVP info.

Sorry for the upside down text. The invitation is laid out for folding,
and for some reason I cannot rotate the JPG.


Hope to see you there.
    

‘Terrible news from New York’

    
I have been sitting on this news about New York grand masters for about a week, not knowing whether to share it here or what, but some out there in Masonic cyberspace insist full disclosure is the only way to fix the problems in Freemasonry, so here goes:

The Magpie Mason will be the guest speaker at Grand Master’s Day this October.

Sunday, October 7

2 p.m.

DeWint House

20 Livingston Street

Tappan, New York

There will be a brunch beforehand at The ’76 House, and then we will begin the festivities at DeWint House, the historic site owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of New York which served repeatedly as Washington’s Headquarters during the Revolution.

Click here to see a bunch of photos and some more information on DeWint House.

And, hey, don’t shoot the messenger, okay?
    

'Mark Tabbert at DeWint House'

  
News from the Grand Lodge of New York public relations folks:

The Grand Lodge Committee for the George Washington Masonic Historic Site at Tappan, cordially and fraternally invites you and your guests to join us for a celebration of the birthday of our cherished Brother and First President of the United States of America, George Washington, to be held Sunday, February 19. The activities for this observance will begin with our traditional brunch at Old '76 House at 11:30 a.m.

After our meal, the celebration will continue with a program at 2 p.m. on the grounds of historic DeWint House, which served as Washington's Headquarters four times during the Revolution, and is maintained by the Trustees of Grand Lodge as a museum and National Historic Site dedicated to preserving the memory of our distinguished Brother. Our guest speaker will be Brother Mark Allen Tabbert, noted author, curator, and historian, who is Director of Collections and Displays at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

Come visit our historic site, explore our museum and artifacts, and tour the oldest remaining Dutch Colonial stone house in Rockland County, dating to 1700. Light refreshments will be served.

Luncheon reservations must be paid in advance. $25 per person.

Old '76 House is located at 110 Main Street in Tappan, a very short walking distance of DeWint House.

Contact me for the reservations info by leaving a note in the comments section below. Include your e-mail address, and I will reply to you privately. Your comment will not be published. If you have not visited DeWint House yet, this is a great opportunity. To view some Magpie photos, click here. DeWint House and the events hosted there are without doubt among the top reasons why the Grand Lodge of New York is the center of the Masonic universe in the tri-state area.
 

‘On tap in Tappan, Part I’

    
This edition of The Magpie Mason is the second attempt to rectify past negligence in blogging (a Class C misdemeanor in West Virginia). There are 10 or maybe more events from 2010 that I never got around to sharing with you – lectures, ceremonies, Germanic beer fests, etc. – and before we get too far into 2011, I’ll try to catch up on last year’s happenings. No lengthy articles, but some good photos.

The Mgmt.


Seems like only yesterday. Sunday, October 3, 2010 was a twofer in New York Masonry. Two very enjoyable Masonic public events having nearly nothing in common except the great convenience of taking place only a mile apart. The annual Grand Master’s Day at the George Washington Headquarters Masonic Historic Site, and the 120th annual Traubenfest in historic, scenic Tappan, New York.

Grand Master’s Day is one of several official occasions during the year when Grand Lodge showcases one of its priceless gems: DeWint House. It is called the George Washington Headquarters Masonic Historic Site because the GLNY owns and operates this landmark, which served as the headquarters of Gen. George Washington several times during the Revolutionary War.


The vocal group Harmony on the Hudson sings “God Bless America”

The Masonic War Veterans posts the colors.


More about the history of DeWint House can be read here.


Little Leaf Linden.

On the well kept grounds of the site, a diverse variety of trees have been planted over the years, lending exotic elements to what otherwise would be “the usual” landscape of a Colonial-era property. These trees are dedicated in honor of Past Grand Masters of the jurisdiction. Two Little Leaf Linden trees were dedicated, one for MW Edward G. Gilbert, the junior Past Grand Master who could not attend the ceremony last year due to illness, and the other for MW Gary Henningsen, Past Grand Master 1993-95, whose original Norway Spruce was felled by lightning.

More photos of the grounds can be seen here.

Here are some shots of the interior of the historic house:

A Park Ranger at Monticello told me long ago that beds from this period
are so short because people back then slept in a sitting up position.

     

‘The Enemy Within’

    

All the brethren, their families, and friends are invited to the Grand Lodge of New York’s annual celebration of the birthday of none other than George Washington, a Freemason and, if I’m not mistaken, a president of the United States, and possibly a general before that. This event (Reason No. 367,712 why the Grand Lodge of New York is the center of the Masonic universe in the tri-state region) will take place Sunday, February 27, 2011 at the George Washington Headquarters National Historic site in Tappan, New York, otherwise known to Magpie readers as DeWint House.

A “living history” play will be staged. The Enemy Within: Arnold Returns Home features Gary Petagine as Benedict Arnold, and Sean Grady as a captured soldier. After committing his treason, Arnold is made a brigadier general in the British army. His forces invade New London, Connecticut (his home state), and the play’s action concerns Arnold’s conversation with a prisoner of war while a massacre is committed at nearby Fort Griswold.

This program at DeWint House will begin at 2 p.m., and there will be a “no host” buffet luncheon, sponsored by Knickerbocker Chapter No. 13 of the National Sojourners, at 11:30 a.m. just around the corner at Old ’76 House. (If you like history, you can’t do much better than a tavern that has been in continuous service since the 1600s, and that served as the jailhouse of Benedict Arnold’s accomplice, Major John Andre.)

Cost per person: $25. Pay at the door.

This birthday celebration is brought to you by Grand Lodge’s George Washington Historic Site at Tappan Committee and the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home, who I’m confident will keep their speeches brief.

About the featured producers, writers and players:

Gary Petagine (Benedict Arnold)

A teacher for more than 30 years, Gary has been a master teacher for the Living History Education Foundation for eight years. He is a Colonial/Revolutionary War re-enactor with the 5th New York and has portrayed Patrick Henry, Gen. Richard Montgomery, and Samuel Adams. Gary co-founded A Living History: The Revolutionary War at Carmel High School and has been featured in Putnam-Westchester County’s Journal News.

Sean Grady (Captured Soldier)

A teacher for more than 10 years in Westchester County, Sean’s “Living History” approach to teaching has been highlighted in The New York Teacher Magazine and other regional publications. Sean has been a master teacher for the Living History Foundation for eight years. He and Gary Petagine created Flight of the Dark Eagle, a course that allows teachers to walk in the footsteps of Andre and Arnold as their plot of treason unfolded throughout the Hudson Valley. A veteran of the stage, Sean has performed in more than 50 theatrical productions across New York State.

    

‘Sunday in the park with Germans’

    
Additional reasons why the Grand Lodge of New York is the center of the Masonic universe in the greater metropolitan area:

• Civil War Lodge of Research No. 1865 is coming from Virginia to hold its October meeting in Manhattan on Saturday morning.

• On Sunday, Grand Master’s Day at Tappan will showcase DeWint House, one of George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolution. Owned and operated by the GLNY, it is a treasure of a historic site. Click here for photos from last year’s Grand Master’s Day. Hopefully the weather will be just as nice. (Brunch again will be served at Old ’76 House at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25 per person, payable at the door.)

• And later on Sunday, the Ninth Manhattan District (the one with the German lodges) will host the 120th Annual Traubenfest (Grape Festival) at German Masonic Park in Tappan, only a short ride from DeWint House. 89 Western Highway. Cost: only $5 per person. Parking is free.

See what I mean? Of course not everything is perfect in New York. For example, the Magpie Mason will appear at the lectern of American Lodge of Research on Friday, October 29 and, believe me, no one will earn points for that debacle, but on the whole good things are happening there.

    

Grand Master’s Day at Tappan

   

DeWint House, located in Tappan, New York, is owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of New York. During the Revolutionary War, it repeatedly served as a headquarters of Gen. George Washington.

Today was the big day at Tappan, where the Grand Lodge of New York hosted its annual Grand Master’s Day at DeWint House, the historic site preserved by the brethren in New York for its significance as a repeated headquarters of General George Washington during the Revolution.

Most notably, this modest home was used by Washington during the trial of Major John André, to whom General (and Freemason) Benedict Arnold had passed secret information to help the British capture the American garrison at West Point, the strategic artery that gave its owner control of the Hudson River. André was captured, tried, and, on October 2, 1780, executed. Arnold would escape capture, be commissioned a brigadier general in the British army, and lead British troops in Virginia and Connecticut.

RW Vincent Libone, Deputy Grand Master, at far right, presided over the reception today in lieu of Grand Master Edward Gilbert, who is recovering from an ailment.

The colors were presented by the Masonic War Veterans, led by RW John Borycki, Commander General.

Bro. Karl Best receives an honor from Grand Lodge. From left: Deputy Grand Master Vincent Libone, Bro. Karl Best, and RW Manuel Abad, vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Hall.

One of the more enjoyable moments of the day was the presentation of a proclamation from the Grand Lodge to Bro. Karl Best, who serves DeWint House as assistant superintendent. Best and his wife work with RW Harold Jones, superintendent, and his wife, to keep everything operational at the historic site. From greeting visitors to managing the priceless property, the two couples work hard in the service of Freemasonry and the public.

RW Dom Grippo is a trustee of the Masonic Hall,
and was secretary of Garibaldi Lodge No. 542 for many years.

There were many different aprons worn by the VIPs today. Plenty of purple and gold, and a diversity of styles and symbols. I had to get a shot of this one, worn by RW Bill Maurer, chairman of the DeWint House Committee.

Anyway, the attractions of DeWint House are numerous, and vary from the architecture of the house itself, which is Dutch Colonial; to the beautiful landscape, with its diversity of trees, and historic embellishments; and the many historical artifacts on display in the museum.

The earliest owners of this property owned slaves. These headstones once were in a cemetery several miles away, on land where the Palisades Parkway now stands. They are marked only with one to three letters.

This flag is a reproduction of the personal flag of Gen. Washington,
as commander-in-chief, during the Revolution.

This Japanese Maple is one of many exotic trees on the grounds.

A copy of the historic print titled ‘The Unfortunate Death of Major André.’

An antique painting of the house as it looked long ago.

A scale model of the HMS Perseverance,
a 36-gun frigate built in Britain in 1781.

I suspect the face on this clock is not original, because I have seen it on others, but there is no denying the beauty of the case of this clock. A marvelous example of craftsmanship, in, I think, mahogany.

Wall space is maximized with artworks of various kinds and vintages.

There are many more items on display at DeWint House, too many to show here. The site is closed Mondays, but is open the other six days a week for visits. Highly recommended.
     

‘Appropriately in Rockland’

Another autumn event on the Magpie Mason’s schedule is Grand Master’s Day at Tappan. On Sunday, October 11, MW Edward Gilbert, Grand Master of New York, will welcome the brethren to DeWint House, the Revolutionary War historic site owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of New York. Appropriately for Masons, it is located in a county called Rockland.

Never been there, so I don’t know what to expect, but there will be a brunch at 11 a.m. at Old ’76 House, reputed to be the oldest tavern in New York – and that’s saying something! – having served the public since 1686. The festivities at DeWint House will begin at 2 p.m.

What the two historic sites share in common is the treason of Gen. Benedict Arnold. You know the story: the once admired Continental Army general betrayed the Revolution by attempting to help the British capture the West Point garrison. His contact was Major John André, who was captured, tried and executed for his espionage. DeWint House repeatedly served as a headquarters for George Washington, including during the trial and execution of André in 1780, while Old ’76 House was known as “André’s prison” because he was incarcerated there during his trial.

Left: Old ’76 House. Right: DeWint House. Both are located in historic Tappan, in Rockland County, New York, just a few minutes over the New Jersey border. Come October, the landscape should be beautiful, with the leaves turning and the air acquiring its autumnal chill.

DeWint House is the oldest surviving structure in Rockland County, and is renowned as an excellent showcase of Dutch Colonial architecture. It has been owned and operated by New York Freemasonry for more than 60 years. In 1966 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The adjacent Carriage House serves as the visitors center and offers many exhibits of George Washington and other historic interests.

An additional Masonic link is the 20° of the AASR, titled “Master ad Vitam.” The degree has been rewritten a number of times during the past two centuries. In 1896, a drama was added that told a fictional story of Frederick II of Prussia visiting a lodge in 1763. A story within the drama tells of a spy who gains entrance to the lodge with a patent that actually was a map of a fortress. The spy escapes, but a Gen. Wallraven was caught and sentenced to life in prison for his complicity in the espionage. His sentence is reduced to exile.

In the aftermath of World War I, when American sentiment toward people and things German was cold, and when Masonic lodges banned the German language from lodge activities, this degree was rewritten again, with a new setting and new historical characters, substituting Washington for Frederick the Great, and Arnold taking the place of Wallraven.

I wonder if the New York Scottish Rite brethren ever conferred this degree at DeWint House. Seems like a natural fit.