A Visit to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial
July 31, 2011 by The Euphrates
Filed under The Euphrates
The George Washington National Masonic Memorial
Last week, I visited the Washington, D.C. area and had an opportunity to visit the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA. I had long wanted to visit the memorial which is a tribute to George Washington as a Freemason and the fraternity as a whole. Since I had to travel through Alexandria in order to get to the nation’s capital, it was a convenient stop during my trip.
The monument’s property is gorgeous. The grounds surrounding the building are well kept and complement the beautiful stone building. When approaching the memorial from the parking lot, its size is awe inspiring. As you get closer and see the quality of the perfect ashlars which compose this edifice its beauty becomes more apparent. It will make any Freemason contemplate the value of the fraternity to our Masonic predecessors. The construction of this building was no small achievement and those Freemasons that assembled to create it must have placed great worth in our noble art.
A view of the hall as you enter the memorial.
The interior of the building boasts a number of grand halls, lodge rooms, and Masonic displays. The building is kept in excellent condition and is appealing to the eyes. The main floor features two beautiful lodge rooms each with its own display of various Masonic memorabilia. I would love to be a spectator of degree work in these lodge rooms as they are quite awe inspiring.
One of the lodge rooms inside the memorial.
Lafayette's Masonic apron.
The lower floor features the Grand Masonic Hall as well as museums dedicated to Freemasonry and the Shrine. The Freemason’s museum was one of the more informative, accurate, and tasteful displays of Masonic history that I have ever seen. Some artifacts that caught my attention were Lafayette’s Masonic apron, a copy of Webb’s Freemason’s Monitor, and a copy of the Constitutions of 1723.
The tower of the building features more displays and an observation deck. In order to access the tower, you must take a guided tour which occurs several times throughout the day. The tour guides at the memorial will be more than happy to assist you in taking one of these tours which cost only $5 (access to the main and lower levels is free).
The Constitutions of 1723
The memorial is conveniently located right across the street from the King Street Metro Station, which makes it an easy commute from anywhere in the D.C. metro area. The memorial is open daily and you can find more information on the George Washington National Masonic Memorial at its website.
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Howie Damron Performance
July 29, 2011 by BeeHive
Filed under The Bee Hive
Just received from Howie Damron
Were Celebrating the new album being finished “My Masonic Legacy”. The Release date is this Sunday. I have been asked to do my first Free Performance Web Cast on Www.HowieDamron.com at 9:00pm 7-31-11 which is this Sunday Evening. I hope you can attend as well as all the Brethren. You have been a real inspiration for me to continue this Masonic Pride Music Mission. If you would, would you please let everyone know. It took 8 years to complete the Album and I’m overly Excited for Brothers all over the world to hear the songs. Yes I will be singing “The Masonic Ring” and Karisa my daughter will be singing “Follow the Eastern Star”.
Brother Howie Damron
How about it Brethren? Sounds like a good time!
Ron Paul Freemason
July 27, 2011 by Greg
Filed under Masonic Traveler
Ron Paul, it seems, is not a Freemason.
At least according to the note purported to be written by Paul’s hand, as published on the Ron Paul fan site RonPaul.com.
It’s been variously said that because his father and mother had Masonic ties, that he was by consequence, a fellow traveler. But, take it as you may. According to Paul himself, he’s not a member of the lodge.
In a piece on the blog Aftermath, it cites a much older post in which a former scheduler by the name of Liberty Oak confirms the same saying that Paul’s father was a mason, that his wife is a member of Eastern Star, and his two daughters were both Rainbow Girls. Other than his familial links, there doesn’t seem to be any other connection to the fraternity.
History of Scandinavian Freemasonry
July 26, 2011 by Greg
Filed under Masonic Traveler, Video
The evolution of Scandinavian Masonry by Dr. Andreas Önnerfors as published on the World Wide Exemplification of Freemasonry, better known as WEoFM.
He is the former director of First Academic center of Freemasonry and Fraternalism at the University of Sheffield.
In this lecture, Dr. Önnerfors explores the history of Scandinavian Freemasonry and the dissemination of Freemasonry in the Danish and Scandinavian world.
Interestingly, he explores this style of Masonry and its strong Christian connections.
The Evolution of Scandinavian Freemasonry from WEOFM on Vimeo.
Norwegian Order of Freemasons expel Breivik
July 25, 2011 by Greg
Filed under Masonic Traveler
The following was posted Sunday on the Grand Lodge of Norway website from the Grand Master of Norwegian masons.
The Norwegian Order of Freemasons expressing compassion and care
- I am appalled by the horrible atrocity that was committed in the government district and at the Utøya island, says the Sovereign Grand Master of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons, Ivar A. Skar.
We are filled with mourning and compassion for those who have been affected and their relatives.
It has appeared in the media that the accused has been a member of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons.
He has now been excluded (expelled) – the exclusion immediately effective.
The exclusion reflects that the acts he is accused of having carried out, and the values that appear to have motivated them, are completely incompatible with what we stand for as an Order.
We build our activity on Christian and humanistic values and want our members to contribute to the promotion of charity, peace and goodness among all people.
The police will of course get all the help and information we can give to contribute to the investigation.
