A Publication of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

National Heritage Museum’s 30th Anniversary
marked by debut of American Freemasons

Bros. Tabbert and Ott review the new book with former staffers Barbara Franco and John Hamilton, 33°.

Three decades ago the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction offered a gift to the nation in the form of a museum dedicated to our national heritage. The institution opened in conjunction with the American Revolution Bicentennial observance, just a short walk from Lexington Green, where the first shots of that conflict were fired.

In April, exactly three decades after the opening ceremonies, museum director John H. Ott, 32°, hosted a gathering of luminaries in the field of American history, visiting dignitaries, and names from the museum’s past, in a day of celebration and reflection.

Highlighting the festivities was the official unveiling of Bro. Mark A. Tabbert’s American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities. Bro. Tabbert outlined his book as the answer to three questions: “Why Freemasonry?” “Why join?” and “What do Masons do?” He pointed out that it is about Freemasons, not Freemasonry. “The organization is, after all, individuals coming together.”

American Freemasons, a project of the National Heritage Museum, reflects the purpose of the institution, known as a place where many aspects of history have come together and been offered to the public.

Walks to Help Children with Dyslexia

Just two years ago the 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc., a major charity of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, initiated two walk-a-thons to raise money in support of the program. Building on the experiences of the pilot walks of 2003, that number mushroomed to more than 40 such events last year, distributed across the 15-state Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Already in 2005, with a few months to go, the number planned for this fall has reached 36, with many more in the planning stages.

Ranging from small hometown affairs to large-scale events with music, cookouts, and clowns, the walk-a-thons come in all shapes and sizes.

The Scottish Rite Masons support 52 centers, which offer tutoring for children with dyslexia. There is no tuition charged and all support comes from the Scottish Rite Valleys and fund-raisers.

To find out more about the “Walks to Help Children with Dyslexia,” visit the website at: www.dyslexiawalk.org.

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Annual Meeting

The Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction will hold its annual meeting this year in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unlike the Southern Jurisdiction, which meets every other year, the NMJ conducts its annual business in a different city each year. All 33° members are invited to attend.

Prior to the official opening, the Active Members meet in Executive Session. The results of their deliberations are reported during the course of the open business meeting. The three-day session will open with a vesper service on Sunday evening, Aug. 28.

The session concludes on Tuesday with the conferral of the 33° upon a class of candidates who were nominated the previous year. The number of candidates from each of the 15 states is determined by a formula that includes the results of the number of 14° initiates during the year.

The 2006 meeting is scheduled for Chicago. For 2007, plans are being formulated for the two Supreme Councils to meet at the same time in Washington, DC, with some events being held jointly.