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| Magpie file photo |
It’s had quite a history these first 130 years of its existence, but it was on this date in 1890 when Grand Master John W. Vrooman laid the cornerstone of what then was called the Washington Memorial Arch in the traditional Masonic ceremony.
Today, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation calls it the Washington Square Arch, as it stands at the principal entrance of Washington Square Park at the foot of Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village. That entire quad, spanning slightly less than ten acres, has an amazing past that is integral to the city’s story, but this edition of The Magpie Mason concerns that cornerstone dedication 135 years ago today.
The Craft was well represented that day, but this event was not a Masonic project. For all the obvious reasons—from the Order’s prominence in city life in 1890, to the singular appropriateness of the Masonic cornerstone-laying ceremony, our Grand Lodge leadership was key to this celebration. But first, some necessary backstory:
There had been a predecessor arch almost on the same site the previous year. New York City would not neglect the centennial anniversary of George Washington’s first inauguration as President of the United States. As you know, that axial moment in world history happened at Wall Street on April 30, 1789. As its hundredth anniversary approached, an effort was made in the Washington Square neighborhood to organize a team to raise funds, hire an architect, and erect an arch as part of the commemoration. This was to be a temporary structure; it was built of wood with a plaster skin, had garlands and laurels rendered in papier maché, and was painted an ivory white. Its design, by none other than Stanford White, was in keeping with similar architecture Washington knew in his lifetime.
On its top stood a ten-foot statue of Washington, also of wood, that dated to 1792 and had been situated at the Battery. This arch did not loom over the northern edge of the Square as does the marble arch we’re remembering now. This one stretched across Fifth Avenue about a hundred feet north of the Square. Figure its piers stood at about today’s 2 Fifth Avenue on the west side, and at Glucksman Ireland House across the street.
The arch stood 71 feet high (including that statue) and 51 feet wide. At night, it was illuminated by hundreds of Thomas Edison’s incandescent lights. Having walked that block a few thousand times, I imagine that nighttime sight was aptly spectacular for Gilded Age New York. Let me just trace the parade route to illustrate the great significance of the dedication of this early arch (and this will impress everyone who knows Manhattan):
Departing from Wall Street, up Broadway to Waverley Place, across Waverley to Fifth Avenue, and then up to Fifty-Ninth Street! And then back!
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| Google Maps |
Google Maps says the one-way trip runs 6.4 miles and is a two-and-a-half hour walk. It would be out of the question today. It’d screw up half of Manhattan. And the whole project got done in less than two months, which also would be impossible today. But enough on this very temporary arch hardly anyone knows about.
The permanent arch with the amazing life story we know today was prompted by the first one’s success. A $100,000 budget for creating the Washington Memorial Arch was set, and when the first $60,000 was in hand, the work commenced. Ground-breaking was April 30, 1890—the first anniversary of the Washington Inauguration’s centenary. May 30, which was Decoration Day (today’s Memorial Day), was the time for the cornerstone-laying.
Thus far, I have been borrowing from The History of the Washington Arch in Washington Square, New York, published in 1896 by the Committee on Erection of Washington Arch at Washington Square, but now I quote it directly:
Imposing ceremonies attended the laying of the cornerstone on Decoration Day: May 30, 1890.
The National Guard of the City of New York, commanded by General Fitzgerald, marched between the stands which had been erected. A vast concourse of citizens surrounded the spot. Henry G. Marquand, chairman of the committee, acted as Master of Ceremonies. Bishop Henry C. Potter opened the exercises by prayer. Following this, a hymn, especially written for the occasion by Robert Underwood Johnson, was sung by the Oratorio and other singing societies, in all 200 voices led by Frank H. Damrosch.
Addresses were made by Henry G. Marquand and Waldo Hutchins, representing the Park Commission, and the chorus sang patriotic airs. The oration was then delivered by George William Curtis who concluded it with a quotation from Washington’s Address delivered in the Constitutional Convention: “Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hands of God.” These words, at Mr. Curtis’ suggestion, have been inscribed on the large panel of the attic on the south front of the Arch.
The actual ceremonies of laying the cornerstone were then conducted in accordance with the Masonic ritual by the Grand Lodge. The Rev. Robert Collyer, Grand Chaplain, used in the service the Bible on which Washington took his oath of office, and from it read the chapters of Genesis which, as he explained, had been read at Washington’s inauguration.
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| From Grand Lodge’s 1890 Proceedings. |
A copper box containing coins, medals, newspapers, and articles relating to the Arch and the committee was deposited in a receptacle provided for it. The architect Stanford White offered the plumb, level, and square for testing the stone which was then partially lowered. Grand Master John W. Vrooman, with a silver trowel presented to him by the committee, laid the mortar above the receptacle, and the stone was then lowered into its place.
After the stone had been tested and pronounced truly laid, prayer was made by Grand Chaplain Collyer and an address delivered by Grand Master Vrooman.
This concluded the ceremonies which were witnessed from a stand erected by the committee by a number of distinguished persons including President Cleveland (then ex-President) and Mrs. Cleveland, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild, William E. Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Watson Gilder, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cooper, Lispenard Stewart, John Jacob Astor Jr., Charles H. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Witherbee, Augustus St. Gaudens, Eugene Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Butler Duncan, Theodore W. Myers, Samuel D. Babcock, Daniel Huntington, Donald McNaughton, Bishop Henry C. Potter and Mrs. Potter, Charles S. Smith, William L. Strong, John A. King, Rutherford Stuyvesant, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Lee, and many others.
Several months were spent after the cornerstone had been laid in the perfecting of the final designs for the superstructure of the Arch in the preparation of specifications and in tests of marbles submitted from different quarries. The marble finally selected was from the Tuckahoe Quarry in Westchester County.
Watch this two-minute video from the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York to get a look at that silver trowel.
More details about the cornerstone ceremony, quoted from The History of the Washington Arch book:
The Masonic Ceremony
At the close of Mr Curtis’ address, the direction of the further ceremonies was turned over by Chairman Marquand to John W. Vrooman, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, who formally proclaimed that the cornerstone of the Arch would then and there be laid in accordance with the ancient rites of Masonry. Mr. Marquand thereupon presented the Grand Master with a beautiful silver trowel suitably inscribed.
The following officers of the Grand Lodge then took their places around the stone: John W. Vrooman, Grand Master; William Sherer, Deputy Grand Master; F.A. Burnham, Senior Grand Warden; E.B. Harper, Junior Grand Warden; John J. Gorman, Grand Treasurer; E.M.L. Ehlers, Grand Secretary; F.W. Morris, Senior Grand Deacon; Edward B. Price, Junior Grand Deacon; William W. Wallace, Grand Sword Bearer; John G. Janeway, Grand Standard Bearer; and William C. Prescott, Grand Marshal.
The Rev. Robert Collyer, Grand Chaplain, then arose in the speakers box and, lifting into plain sight of the multitude a large open book, explained that he held in his hand the Bible upon which George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. The book was then, and is now, the property of St John’s Lodge of Masons in this city. It was upon this page, said the white haired clergyman, glancing down upon the open book that Washington is said to have placed his hand while taking that historic oath. It contains portions of the forty-ninth and fiftieth chapters of the Book of Genesis. Dr. Collyer read a few verses from those chapters and then uttered a brief prayer.
The Masonic ritual proceeded. The small copper box, with its collection of medals and coins and the records of the event commemorated, stood ready to be deposited in the heart of the great granite block. Grand Treasurer Gorman announced the contents of the copper box to be deposited in the stone as follows:
• the St. Gaudens Washington Centennial medal bearing the date May 30, 1889
• a souvenir of the Washington Centennial celebration of 1889 with designs by Blashfield and Low
• a catalogue of the Centennial Loan Exhibition 1889 with portraits and relics
• a souvenir of the Committee on States of the Centennial celebration
• invitations, tickets, and circulars of the various committees on the Centennial celebration of 1889
• silver, nickel, and copper United States coins of 1889
• a United States silver coin of 1799
• a souvenir of the Centennial Judiciary banquet 1889
• a copy of the Constitution of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution
• a copy of the Constitution of the St. Nicholas Club
• the directory of the New York Board of Education
• a list of the officers of the Grand Lodge F and AМ of the State of New York
• a subscription blank for the Washington Memorial Arch
• newspapers of New York of the mornings of April 27th and 29th 1889; and May 29th and 30th 1890
• the personal card of William Rhinelander Stewart, the leading promoter of the Arch project
• the cards of the reporters present
• a silver dollar sent by Vice President Morton
The Grand Treasurer further stated that one coin, a silver dollar, and the autographs of President Harrison and Vice President Morton, contributed by a lady, had been received after the box was sealed and therefore would be placed in the aperture beneath the box.
The usual test was then applied; the box was inserted in the aperture provided for it; and the heavy stone was lowered into its bed of mortar. The impressive test and consecration of the cornerstone followed.
Stanford White, the designer and architect of the Memorial Arch, handed to Grand Master Vrooman the implements of his Craft: the square, the level, and the plumb. Each implement was applied to the stone by the proper officer of the Grand Lodge and the stone was reported to be of proper form.
The golden horn was then produced and Deputy Grand Master Sherer poured upon the imbedded stone a bit of ground corn emblematic of goodness and plenty. Wine and oil from the silver chalices were next poured upon the stone to symbolize joy and peace.
The formal surrendering of the stock into the keeping of the architect ended the ceremonies.
And what about that address delivered by The Most Worshipful John W. Vrooman, Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York? For that speech, we’ll turn to Grand Lodge’s 1890 Proceedings. The 109th Annual Communication was opened June 3, only a few days after the celebration at Washington Square.
Address by the Grand Master.
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| John W. Vrooman |
Official records inform us that WASHINGTON was made a Mason in Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, on the 4th day of November 1752, at the “mature age” of twenty years, while serving as an adjutant-general in the British Army. He was chosen some years after Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, receiving his commission from Grand Master EDMUND RANDOLPH, Governor of Virginia.
The active military life of WASHINGTON as commander-in-chief seemed to inspire active Masonic labor. He encouraged military lodges, and frequently participated in their work. It was upon one of these occasions that he made General LAFAYETTE a Freemason.
The Grand Lodge of Virginia in the early days of its organization elected WASHINGTON as its Grand Master; not being eligible at the time, he was compelled to decline the honor.
If time would permit, we would gladly recall his unceasing love and loyalty to the Craft, as evidenced by his Masonic visitations, letters, and addresses.
On the 18th day of September 1793, GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States, acting as Grand Master, laid, with appropriate Masonic ceremonies, the cornerstone of the Capitol of this great Republic.
On the 4th day of July 1848, the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia laid the cornerstone of that mighty monument at Washington which is the wonder and admiration of a civilized world, and on the 21st day of February 1885, it was dedicated by the Grand Master of that jurisdiction, in presence of the President and Congress of the United States. It is, therefore, most fitting that the cornerstone of this Washington Memorial Arch should be laid with Masonic ceremonies, thus following a long line of precedents, and affording the Fraternity an opportunity to once more give public evidence of their loving remembrance of a distinguished brother, and of their “loyalty to the government in which they live.”
The ceremony before us—the erection of this monumental arch as an enduring token of the lasting memory of an appreciative and affectionate people—vividly recalls the wonderful Centennial celebration of a year ago, which made this occasion possible.
The Masonic Brotherhood of the Empire State was deeply interested in that great demonstration—doubly interested because the central figures in that historic inauguration were in the forefront of our beloved Institution, and among the most talented and illustrious men and Masons of that or any other age.
There stood GEORGE WASHINGTON, the pride of his countrymen, the beloved of his brethren, awaiting the oath of office.
Then appeared ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, the Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, who, as Chancellor of this State, administered the oath of office to WASHINGTON. Most Worshipful BRO. LIVINGSTON was one of the ablest statesmen and jurists this country ever produced, and our honored Grand Master for sixteen years.
A valuable aid in furthering the success of that inauguration day was JACOB MORTON, Chief of Staff, who was at the time Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New York. Most Worshipful BRO. MORTON, a brave and accomplished military officer during the Revolution, held the office of Grand Master for five years.
Standing there as witnesses to the impressive inauguration of the first President were many of the signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence. Do you wonder that the Declaration proclaimed Freedom when you consider the great fact that fifty-two of the fifty-six signers were Freemasons?
A worthy successor to the honors of the Brethren just mentioned was found in the person of DE WITT CLINTON, one of the renowned governors of this State, who held the office of Grand Master for fourteen years.
During the War of 1812, DE WITT CLINTON, Grand Master of Masons, convened a Grand Lodge of Emergency on the first day of September 1814 in this city, for the sole purpose of volunteering for government duty, and the Brethren under his leadership were assigned by the Committee of Defense for receiving the services of the Craft on the fortifications at Brooklyn, pursuant to resolution, and they diligently labored through the day. One week later they again volunteered their services on the fortifications erecting on Brooklyn Heights, and more especially there as one of the forts had, in honor of the Craft, been called Fort Masonic.
The history of Freemasonry in this State is therefore coeval with the history of our National Government.
Then, as now, Freemasons obeyed the teachings “to be true to your government and just to your country, yielding obedience to the laws which afford your protection.”
The wise and patriotic administration of Grand Master CLINTON was followed by DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, governor of this State, Vice-President of the United States, and also the honored Grand Master of Masons for several years.
These and other eminent Craftsmen, leaders in civil as well as Masonic affairs, inspired confidence in the plan and purpose of our Institution, elevated its character, developing its growth and usefulness to such an extent that at the present time it commands the respect and admiration of all mankind.
Permit me, in passing, to make brief allusion to another matter of historic interest. The Holy Bible borne today in the Grand Lodge procession, and now before you, is the property of St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, A.Y.M., of the city of New York, and has been jealously guarded by that noble band of brethren for more than one hundred years. Upon this sacred volume, GEORGE WASHINGTON took the oath of office as first President of this nation. It is a part of our unwritten history that as the moment approached for the oath to be administered, no Bible was at hand, nor could one be secured in the building. Chancellor ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, as Grand Master, knew that every Masonic lodge-room contained a copy of the Holy Scriptures. He remembered that the Chief of Staff, JACOB MORTON, was Worshipful Master of St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, and that the lodge-room was nearby. A word to MORTON; a hastening to the lodge-room; a return with the Holy Bible; and without seeming delay the oath was taken. Thank God that the Great Light in Masonry must always have honorable place in every lodge-room!
One more brief allusion to a matter of similar interest. This medallion, accompanied by an autograph letter (the property of the Grand Lodge of New York), is said to possess the best likeness of WASHINGTON now in existence; it also contains a lock of his hair, and was presented by him, in June 1783, to Major BILLINGS, a member of his staff. At that time Major BILLINGS was Worshipful Master of a lodge located at or near Newburgh, and had frequently received General WASHINGTON as a visitor.
A gavel, which I hoped to use upon this eventful occasion, but an unforeseen circumstance has prevented, was expressly prepared for presentation to WASHINGTON, used by him as President, and also as acting Grand Master of Masons in laying the cornerstone of the Capitol of the United States. After the ceremonies, he presented it to Potomac Lodge, No. 9, F.&A.M., District of Columbia, and it has been carefully guarded by that lodge as a precious treasure since that time. It was used by the Grand Master in laying the cornerstone of the great monument at Washington; also at the laying of the cornerstone and dedication of the equestrian statue of Washington at the National Capital. It was likewise used at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yorktown Monument, and upon many other occasions in laying the cornerstones of public buildings and monuments in several States of the Union.
Fitting it would be to make the present ceremony the more interesting and memorable by using that emblem of authority once wielded by him whose memory we hold sacred and this day further perpetuate. There are now in existence twelve different medals which were struck, in the early days of the Republic, to commemorate the Masonic virtues of WASHINGTON.
At the close of his earthly labors, the lodge over which he presided as its first Master buried him with Masonic honors.
I conclude this hasty sketch by strongly commending to the Craft the following beautiful words of WASHINGTON, spoken while President of the United States.
Replying to an address from some Rhode Island Brethren, he said:
“Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.”
To the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts he said:
“To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy the benevolent design of a Masonic institution, and it is most fervently to be wished that the conduct of every member of the Fraternity, as well as those publications that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the great object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.”
We are assembled here today in the presence of this vast audience to perpetuate the memory of a man who left on record such inspired words of wisdom, and while we build this Memorial Arch, which, we pray God, may be as enduring as the granite itself, we nevertheless firmly believe that the greater monument of WASHINGTON’s pure life, valiant deeds, and fraternal advice will be erected in the hearts of a grateful people, to remain spotless and perfect forever.
The officers of the Grand Lodge assembled at the residence of BROTHER the Hon. EDWARD COOPER, ex-mayor, and marched thence in procession to the site of the proposed Memorial Arch in Washington Square.
Okay, so you can see this likely was kind of a stump speech, and I won’t address its various factual errors (remember, this was 1890, when people had a folklorist approach to history).
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| Magpie file photo |
I don’t doubt it was an awesome day for the city, and I’d bet the participants would be happy to see the Arch not only remains in place, but also is a prominent landmark in a part of the city where the buildings are short and the streets are narrow.
Ownership of the Arch was duly transferred to the City of New York, and on May 4, 1895, the completed marble Arch was dedicated. It has been an anchor in time, not flinching as the world around it ever changes.
