Time
Capsule Deposited At The House Of The Temple
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| On April 23, 2003, Grand Commander
Kleinknecht and several members of the Supreme Council staff
witnessed the placement of a time capsule under a granite
slab in the top middle landing of the entrance stairs to
the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C. Pictured above
(l. to r.) at the ceremony are: Bro. Dean R. Alban, 32°,
K.C.C.H., Director of Information Systems; Ill. William
G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; Bro.
Robert L. Sansbury, 32°, K.C.C.H., Building Superintendent;
Ill. Fred C. Kleinknecht, 33°, Sov. Grand Commander;
Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Development;
and Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Archivist and Grand
Historian. Photo: Ill. Arnold
L. Flottman, 33°, Head Guide, House of the Temple |
The mammoth project of rebuilding the tiered entrance
stairs to the House of the Temple is nearly completed. As the
final phase of this long process approached, Grand Commander
Kleinknecht decided it was an appropriate time to follow the
Masonic custom of depositing significant historical documents
in an appropriately prepared container. Often these deposits
are placed in cornerstones as a building is started, completed,
or dedicated. In this case, a deposit under one of the granite
slabs forming the top middle landing of the House of the Temple
staircase was deemed the most appropriate place for the deposit.
Among the many items included in the time capsule
and deposited on April 23, 2003, was a letter from the Grand
Commander. Dated April 17, 2003, it reads as follows:
To My Fellow Brethren Who Are Witness to
the Opening of This Capsule:
I write in the year 2003, for the Supreme Council,
Mother Council of the World of the Thirty Third and Last Degree,
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern
Jurisdiction, U.S.A., and I extend my hand to you from the past,
and reach it forward into the future, to greet you as a Brother.
At this time in our Fraternal history, our
financial position is strong and our charities continue to grow.
We find that membership development is our major work of the
day. With attrition of our membership happening at an unprecedented
rate, the future of the Rite seems very tenuous. During my tenure,
I have seen much growth and then decline. It is my fervent wish
that our Brotherhood is sustained by its great tenets and steadfast
charities to succeed into the future with dignity and honor.
As I was honored to preside over the Scottish
Rite's Bicentennial Session in Charleston, South Carolina, in
2001, I can now but hope and pray that this letter finds our
beloved Rite in a prosperous way, and our nation at peace.
And though our work is done, we have tendered
to your hands the gavel and the responsibilities that attend
it. When you next sound it in the East to open the Council,
I beg you to remember us to your Brethren, and send our greetings
and Godspeed to the Fraternity.
I, who have passed on, salute you by the sacred
numbers,
Cordially and fraternally yours,
| A workman puts the finishing touches
to sealing a time capsule, with representative contemporary
documents enclosed, in the newly rebuilt front entrance
stairs of the House of the Temple. |
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Among the many items enclosed in the professionally
sealed capsule were the following: the Masonic card of the Grand
Commander and the cards of several House of the Temple officers;
the 2003 Biennial Session Medallion celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the RiteCare Childhood Language Program; three representative
issues of the Scottish Rite Journal (October 2001, November
2002, and May 2002); a Summer/Fall 2002 copy of Amicus Quarterly,
the newsletter of the Supreme Council Library; a copy of the
House of the Temple Calendar, 2002-03; a Valley Secretary's
Manual; a briefcase from the Bicentennial Biennial Session,
September 30-October 3, 2001, Charleston, South Carolina; and
CD-ROM photos (like the two illustrating this article) from
the time capsule ceremony itself.
Brother
Lawrence R. Hanson, 32°, Donor
To South Dakota Foundation
In South Dakota, weather has made a difference
this year in many ways. One of those is in the effort to complete
proceedings regarding a generous donation to the Scottish Rite
Foundation of South Dakota.
Last year, Bro. Lawrence R. "Larry"
Hanson, 32°, a member of the Valley of Deadwood, who lives
in Hot Springs, South Dakota, had made contributions to the
Foundation in the total amount of $20,000. Ill. William A. Coffield,
33°, Senior Grand Warden of South Dakota, also lives in
Hot Springs. Bro. Hanson indicated to Bro. Coffield that he
continued to be interested in and impressed with the RiteCare
Childhood Language Program. He said he would like to do more
for its benevolent development.
Bro. Coffield contacted the Valley Representative
in Deadwood, Ill. Ned E. Wick, 33°, Grand Cross, who in
turn enlisted the aid of Ill. Robert L. Morrow, 33°, Fund-raising
Chairman in the Valley, and the three men determined a course
of education concerning the Scottish Rite Speech Clinics in
South Dakota. The regional clinic in Rapid City provided a showplace
for the on-going activities of the clinics located throughout
the United States. Visitations and subsequent luncheon meetings
with all concerned provided further light on what the Foundation
accomplishes.
Ill. Marvin K. Bailin, 33°, S.G. I.G. in South
Dakota, was consulted and gave direction on the fine points
of law and legal advice. One of the contributing factors in
the decision was the "Where Do You Do Your Shopping?"
article appearing in the December 2002 issue of the Scottish
Rite Journal with reference to a trust that could be made
by the donor.
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Robert E. Hanson, son of
Bro. Lawrence R. "Larry" Hanson, 32°, Valley
of Deadwood, South Dakota, looks on as his father demonstrates
support of Scottish Rite benevolence in South Dakota by
presenting a check to Ill. William A. Coffield, 33°,
a member of the Valley of Deadwood and the Senior Grand
Warden of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. |
Snow and weather played a part in delaying meetings
planned for discussions and decisions. Robert E. Hanson of North
Dakota, Brother Hanson's son, did make it through a blizzard,
and pictures were taken in Hot Springs with the two men and
Bro. Coffield on the occasion of signing the paper for the additional
contribution of $50,000 to the Foun-dation (photo right). Ill.
Bros. Bailin, Wick, and Morrow were unable to attend that meeting
due to snow conditions; however, all was resolved by telephone
calls and mail service.
Announcement of this generous action was planned
for the annual meeting of the South Dakota Scottish Rite Foundation
in February, however, that meeting had to be postponed, again
due to snow! The general announcement was made for all Valleys
in South Dakota and to three Scottish Rite clinics in the Orient
in order that true appreciation could be given to Brother Hanson
in setting an example for others who support the benevolence
program of Scottish Rite Freemasonry and the RiteCare Childhood
Language Program.
Brother
Edwin H. Kimmel, 32°, Honored
| Bro. Edwin H. Kimmel, 32°,
with his grandson, Zachary Aron Kimmel |
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On June 20, 2003, Brother Edwin H. Kimmel, 32°,
Valley of Lake Worth, Florida, received the President's Medallion
Award from the Alumni Association Board of Directors of the
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), Lombard, Illinois.
The award was established in 1984 and honors NUHS or affiliated
college graduates who have made contributions to chiropractic
in multiple facets of the profession for at least 30 years.
Bro. Kimmel, who received the award during the university's
annual Homecoming celebration at the Alumni Association luncheon
held on campus, has had a distinguished professional career
as a chiropractic practitioner, researcher, speaker, and writer.
Dewese
Hall Of Honor Portrait Received In Taiwan
Earlier
this year, as part of a multi- Lodge gathering celebrating the
Chinese New Year, Ill. Tommy F. H. Weng, 33°, Deputy of
the Supreme Council in Taiwan and China, made a special presentation
to Pearl River Lodge No. 3, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. Deputy
Weng personally carried to the Lodge an elegantly framed actual-size
photographic copy of the House of the Temple's Hall of Honor
portrait of Bro. George E. Dewese, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley
of Roanoke, Virginia. Pearl River Lodge is Bro. Dewese's home
Lodge, where he is a Life Member. The Brethren of Pearl River
Lodge wished to honor Bro. Dewese by adding his portrait and
its descriptive plaque to the Lodge's many interesting Masonic
displays. Pictured above at the reception of the portrait are
W.M. Jerry Chao-Yang Tseng, 32°, Master of Pearl River Lodge,
and Deputy Weng. The many contributions of Bro. Dewese and his
wife, Matsue, to Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite, and Radford
University, Radford, Virginia, are detailed in two articles
in the January 2003 Scottish Rite Journal.
Submitted by Bro. Jeremy W.
K. Pei, 32°, Scottish Rite Bodies, Taipei, Taiwan
Billings,
Montana, Shoes For Kids Program
| Bro. Ronald L. Anderson, 32°, K.C.C.H.,
Venerable Master, Valley of Billings, Montana, congratulates
three children receiving free shoes and socks from the Valley's
Shoes for Kids Program. |
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The Shoes for Kids Program in the Valley of Billings,
Montana, is the result of a gift of $500,000 to the Valley for
the express purpose of providing shoes and stockings for children,
ages from kindergarten to eighth grade. The gift was from Ill.
Clarence E. Sportsman, 33°, Past Grand Master of Masons
in Montana. He had observed a similar program while traveling
as Grand Master to other Masonic Jurisdictions, and he wanted
to provide the same service in the "Treasure State."
Many of the Blue Lodges in the area of Billings participate
in identifying needy children and providing them with free footwear.
The principal of Ill. Sportsman's gift has been
invested, and only the income from these investments is available
to use to buy shoes and socks. The program has been very successful.
To date, 25,000 pairs of shoes and 62,000 pairs of socks have
been distributed at 16 locations around the eastern part of
the state. The shoes are genuine leather and are purchased directly
from the factory or locally at a reduced price from Payless
Shoes. Similarly, WalMart provides socks at a great price. Bros.
Gordon W. Lockwood, 32°, K.C.C.H., and Gerald D. Hoffman,
32°, K.C.C.H., are co-chairmen of the Shoes for Kids Program.
They manage the purchasing and distribution of the shoes and
socks, as well as the warehousing of the items in the Scottish
Rite Center in Billings. The program is designed to supply footwear
for needy children; however, no child is turned away from receiving
a new pair of shoes during the annual spring and fall fittings.
Walter
Lee Brown Scottish Rite Scholarship Awards
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 On
April 17, 2003, two Walter Lee Brown Scottish Rite Scholarship
Awards were presented at the 2003 Phi Alpha Theta banquet
at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. The scholarships
were established in 1997 by the Supreme Council, 33°,
S.J., to honor Ill. Walter Lee Brown, 33°, author
of A Life of Albert Pike, the definitive biography
of Albert Pike published by the University of Arkansas
Press in 1997. The 2003 scholarship awards, presented
by the Department of History, Fulbright College of Arts
and Sciences, at the University will assist doctoral students
Monica Taylor (photo above) and Scott Tarnowieckyi (photo
left) in conducting research in American History at the
University. Dr. David Sloan, Graduate Advisor, presented
the awards.
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Eastern
Star Completes Rome Marathon
Donna
German, Past Matron, Burbank, California, Chapter No. 352, O.E.S.,
pauses at the Coliseum before embarking on her marathon walk
in Rome, Italy.
This is the story of a miracle (for me, at least).
I am amazed to say that on March 23, 2003, in Rome Italy, I
received my first marathon medal. The day was perfect. The weather
was about 62 degrees without a cloud in the sky. There were
30,000 people at the starting line next to the Coliseum: 27,000
were doing a 5K fun run, and the rest of us hoped to walk the
full 26.2-mile marathon. I spent over seven hours walking the
ancient cobblestone streets of Rome. Every time I turned a corner,
I would run smack into history-the Forum, Spanish Steps, Trivi
Fountain, Saint Peter's Square, and so much more! It was the
most amazing day of my life. Now let me tell you how this all
came about.
In January 2002, I made the decision to get healthy.
I started Weight Watchers and a very easy schedule of walking
on my lunch hour at work. In October 2002, I joined a team of
our Nestle employees to walk a 10K raising money for the American
Diabetes Association. It was there that I learned of the Team
Diabetes training program for marathons. I joined their program
and started 24 weeks of training with the Rome, Italy, marathon
as my goal. This was really stretching it! Not only did I need
to train every day but I also hoped to raise $4,500 in donations
to the American Diabetes Association. Did I bite off more than
I could chew?
I had backed myself into a corner by contacting
everyone I knew, including all of my family and Eastern Star
Brothers and Sisters, to ask for pledges and let them know what
I was attempting to do. It worked! I raised $5,290 for the American
Diabetes Association, and my mom and I went off to Rome. Along
the way, I obtained my goals of receiving my marathon medal
and losing over 100 pounds, all within the last 15 months!
What is next? Walking is part of my life now,
and I will continue to take part in 5K & 10K walks in my
community. Will I do another marathon? I'm not sure, only time
will tell. I still want to lose about 40 more pounds, so that
will be my immediate goal. The lessons I have learned during
the training and the marathon will be with me for the rest of
my life. It is awesome to me that I actually stuck with the
program and obtained my goals. I hope it proves that it's never
too late to change (I'm 60+) and that dreams really do come
true if we are willing to work for them.
Thank you so much, Eastern Star members, for your support of
my endeavor. It was because of all of you that I was able to
succeed in this fantastic Roman holiday!
Submitted by Kristy Howard-Clark
Associate Conductress, Burbank Chapter No. 352, O.E.S.
Atlanta
Lodge Supports RiteCare Program
 On
March 8, 2003, Ill. Bernard L. Blackwell, 33°, Valley
of Atlanta, Georgia (left in photo), presented a check for
$90,000 to Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross,
Grand Executive Director. The check represents the majority
of the assets of Atlanta's Greenfield-Malta Lodge No. 400,
which is now closed. At the suggestion of Ill. Blackwell,
the Lodge decided to support the RiteCare Childhood Language
Program by means of this donation to the Scottish Rite Foundation,
S.J., U.S.A. The Lodge gave an additional donation of $15,000
to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia. Witnessing the
transfer of the check are Ill. Earl E. Ihle, 33°, Director
of Development, and Ill. Leonard E. Buffington, 33°,
Deputy in Georgia. |
RiteCare
Goes To College
Accepting
a bronze plaque to be placed in the new Scottish Rite Childhood
Language Disorders Clinic on the campus of the University of
Florida, Gainesville, are (l. to r.) Dr. William S. Brown, Jr.,
Professor and Chairman, Communication Science and Disorders,
Director; Congressman Michael Bilirakis, 33°, Valley of
Tampa, and Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Florida.
Photo: Ill. Paul E. Wilson, Jr., 33°
Trustee, Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida
On Saturday, April 12, 2003, Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith,
33°, S.G. I.G. and President of The Scottish Rite Foundation
of Florida, U.S.A., Inc., along with several Trustees of the
Foundation and 63 Scottish Rite Masons and wives from many areas
of the state of Florida assembled in Dauer Hall on the campus
of the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
This occasion had been in the planning stages
for over two years and was now about to be finalized. A Scottish
Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic was going to be dedicated
on the campus of the University of Florida, one of the five
largest universities in the nation where over 46,000 students
will have the opportunity to come in contact with the philanthropic
efforts of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and a better understanding
of Masonry.
The Foundation was very pleased to be able to
join with Florida's oldest and largest university in providing
financial assistance and support where needed. The Department
of Communication Science and Disorders is responsible for teaching
aspiring Speech/Language Pathologists the science of correcting
speech and language disorders. This clinic will give the Scottish
Rite Foundation of Florida the opportunity not only to bring
the gift of speech to children in the north central area of
Florida but also to assist in the training of those dedicated
individuals who will help provide the gift of speech to hundreds
of children in the future. What better place to locate a clinic
than on this campus?
Ill. Brother Goldsmith was assisted in the dedication
by Congressman Ill. Michael Bilirakis, 33°, a member of
the Valley of Tampa, and Dr. George L. Salis, Dean of Academic
Affairs at Keiser College in Lakeland, Florida, and a member
of the Valley of Orlando. The University was represented by
Dr. Neil Sullivan, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, from the Department of Com-munication Science
and Disorders; Dr. William S. Brown, Jr., Ph.D., Professor and
Chairman, Commu-nication Science and Disorders, Director, IASCP;
Betsy P. Vinson, M.M.Sc., CCC/SLP, Director of Clinical Education;
and Linda Lombardino, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Science
and Disorders. The entire staff of the Speech Language Clinic
was present to support this great event. Philip B. Pasho, Executive
Director of the Dyslexia Foundation, and Barry Pendry, Ph.D.
Adminis-trative Director of Rehabilitative and Development Service
at All Children Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, were also
in attendance.
Submitted by Ill. Robert L.
Goldsmith, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Florida
President, Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA, Inc.
Centennial
Reunion In Utah
The Orient of Utah observed 100 years of Scottish
Rite Masonry in Utah on May 8-10, 2003, with a Centennial Anniversary
Reunion. Ill. Curtis N. Lancaster, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Utah
and Grand Herald of the Supreme Council, reported a class of
58 Candidates became Masters of the Royal Secret in the three-day
presentation of the Degrees. Special guests included Ill. Ronald
A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lt. Grand Commander;
Ill. Jack D. Rehberg, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Montana and Grand
Standard Bearer; Ill. Jack E. Nixson, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Wyoming
and Grand Almoner; and Ill. Gary W. West, 33°, S.G.I.G.
in Idaho.
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Among the dignitaries attending
the Orient of Utah's Centennial Anniversary Class were (l.
to r.) Ill. Bros. and S.G.I.G.s Jack E. Nixson, Wyoming;
Jack D. Rehberg, Montana; Ronald A. Seale, Louisiana; Curtis
N. Lancaster, Utah; and Gary W. West, Idaho. |
Special proclamations were issued by the Governor
of the State and the Mayors of Salt Lake City, Ogden City, and
Salt Lake County designating the time as Scottish Rite Masonry
Days in Utah. A gala banquet, attended by 286 Brethren and ladies
concluded the celebration. After a message of congratulations
and inspiration by Lt. Grand Commander Seale, Inspector Lancaster
sketched some of the highlights of Scottish Rite events during
the Orient's first 100 years, including a brief biography of
one of its most notable members, Ill. James C. Penney, 33°.
Other distinguished members of the Salt Lake Bodies include
two Governors of Utah and Ill. Raymond W. Miller, 33°, Grand
Cross, who was a respected contributor to the many publications
of our Supreme Council.
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The Utah Centennial
Anniversary Reunion Class had 58 Candidates.
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Scottish Rite Freemasonry had its beginning when
24 members met in Salt Lake City in December of 1902 to organize
the four Bodies of Scottish Rite in Utah. The Bodies received
a dispensation on April 7, 1903, and held its first Reunion
on May 11-14, 1903, with 48 Candidates in the first Class. Permanent
Charters for the Bodies were received on October 31, 1903. Inspector
Lancaster is the fifth Sovereign Grand Inspector General to
govern Scottish Rite activities in Utah.
A
beautiful commemorative medallion (pictured right, reduced)
was minted for the occasion, and a history of the Rite in Utah
has been published in both hardcover and softcover editions.
Please use the information below to order. Check payable to
A&A Scottish Rite. Mail orders only, please.
Utah Centennial Reunion Medallion $ 8.00
Shipping and handling included
Utah Centennial History (Softbound) $15.00
Utah Centennial History (Hardcover) $25.00
Note: add $3.95 per book for domestic S/H.
Mail to: A&A Scottish Rite, 650 East South Temple St., Salt
Lake City, UT 84102-1141
Radford
University Displays RiteCare Program Photo
Dr. Douglas Covington, President of Radford University,
welcomes Ill. James D. Cole, 33°, Deputy in Virginia, Leonard
A. Rowe, 32°, K.C.C.H. (right), Venerable Master, Roanoke
Scottish Rite Bodies, and Bro. George E. Dewese, 32°, K.C.C.H.
(left), a distinguished member of the Valley of Roanoke, to
the University and the Waldron College Clinics. The group assembled
in April 2003 to receive a photograph taken of Ill. David Kruger,
33°, then S.G.I.G. in Virginia, while visiting with children
of the Summer Language Clinic during the summer of 2002. A banner
will be added with the words "Helping Children-A Mission
of Scottish Rite Freemasonry." This caption certainly typifies
Dr. Kruger's zest for improving the lot of children with so
much to gain through improved personal communication skills.
Photo: Lora L. Gordon, Radford Univ.
Fairbanks,
Alaska, Scottish Rite Bodies Golf Classic
On
August 2, 2003, the First Annual Frontier Plumbing Children's
Charity Golf Classic will be held to raise funds for the Fairbanks,
Alaska, RiteCare Clinic. A total of 18 teams will play golf
to help our clinicians serve the children of the interior of
Alaska. The initial estimates indicate this event will earn
$20,000. It is a perfect example of combining Scottish Rite
and commercial events for the betterment of all.
Frontier Plumbing Supply is holding the event,
providing the prizes, and donating all proceeds to the Francis
Coghill Scottish Rite Clinic. Bro. Michael M. Vivlamore, 32°,
owns Frontier Plumbing Supply and is an active member of the
Fairbanks Valley. He has used his various enterprises to raise
funds for not only the Scottish Rite but also his Blue Lodge
and the Shrine. With the help of Brethren like Bro. Vivlamore,
the Fairbanks Bodies have been able to provide a ton of turkeys
for the local Food Bank at Thanksgiving and $2,000 to assist
the Ft. Wainwright Chaplain's Fund at Christmas.
Submitted by Ill. Stephen
L. Cox, 33°, Representative, Orient of Alaska
Annual
JROTC Award In Washington, D.C.
 On
May 13, 2003, Ill. George R Adams, 33°, Deputy of the
Supreme Council in Washington, D.C., presented the Valley's
Annual JROTC Award at St. John's College Military High School.
This year's recipient is Cadet Lt. Col. Christopher Love,
Deputy Regimental Commander. Cadet Love is a Senior and
has been accepted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg,
Virginia, where he will also be the recipient of an Institute
ROTC scholarship. Assisting at the award ceremony is Bro.
Joel R. Kahn 32°, General Secretary of the Valley of
Washington and the Orient of the District of Columbia. |
Civic
Leadership Program Students Visit House Of The Temple
On May 5, 2003, 38 11th-grade students from the
American Studies Program of the Glenelg Country School, Glenelg,
Maryland, visited the House of the Temple. David C. Weeks, Director
of the school's Civic Leadership Program, accompanied teachers
Walter T. Mattson, Thomas R. Klein, and Kevin D. Macaluso. Bro.
Weeks is a member of Sharon Lodge No. 182, Reisterstown, Maryland,
and has brought Glenelg students to the House of the Temple
several times in past years. The students and teachers were
greeted by Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C. Managing Editor
of the Scottish Rite Journal (left, front row), and Ill.
S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., Director of Membership Development
(right, front row). Beginning their tour in the George Washington
Memorial Banquet Hall, the students heard Dr. Morris sketch
the history of Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite. The group
then moved through the Atrium to the Temple Room. There, Drs.
Morris and Boettjer explained the purpose of Freemasonry and,
in particular, its use of symbols. Before leaving to visit the
Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, and FDR Memorials, the students
stopped in the Supreme Council Library, where many declared
the Library's fascinating collection of books and artifacts
was the highlight of their visit to the House of the Temple.
Colorful
JROTC Award In Florida
 The
Supreme Council's Americanism and Education Award for JROTC
high school Cadets and ROTC college or university Cadets
continues to be very popular. In the photo right, Bro. Douglas
H. North, 32°, Valley of Lake Worth, Florida, presents
the award to Cadet Benjamin Syrkus, a JROTC Cadet at the
Martin County School, Stuart, Florida. During the April
8, 2003, event, Bro. North added to the public's interest
in Freemasonry by wearing his colorful Heroes of '76 uniform.
(For information on the Supreme Council's JROTC or ROTC
Program, please contact your Valley Secretary.) |
Southern
Jurisdiction Supports Renovation Of Washington Museum At The
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
In
the 1960s, the George Washington Museum, located on the fourth
level of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, in
Alexandria, Virginia, was conceived and funded as a joint project
by the Southern Jurisdiction and Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
of the Scottish Rite. It displays an interesting and historically
accurate collection of Washington memorabilia and artifacts.
Currently, the museum is undergoing a complete renovation, authorized
by the Memorial's Board of Directors under the leadership of
President Warren D. Lichty, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Nebraska and
First Grand Equerry of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J. The
new museum will feature the previously existing artifacts and
memorabilia with many new and borrowed items in an informative,
structured, and comprehensive setting. Upon entering the museum,
visitors will be presented with a brief and informative introductory
biography of Washington. They will then be directed through
the museum's main floor which features the many aspects of Washington's
character and life, including Virginia Planter, Model Citizen,
Military Officer, Nation's President, Mourned Hero, and American
Icon. An important part of the Model Citizen exhibit is a section
on Masonry, Washington's membership in the Craft, its effect
on him and his effect on it. The mezzanine level of the museum
will feature a collection of everyday objects bearing Freemasonry's
emblems. The South Gallery will display images of George Washington
the Mason and a collection of pictures and objects that adorned
Mount Vernon. The North Gallery will explore the relationship
between Freemasonry and architecture, especially the planning,
construction, and dedication of the George Washington Masonic
National Memorial.
A joint committee representing both Scottish Rite
Jurisdictions has approved the exhibition's design. With the
fabrication and installation contract recently awarded, the
new museum is well on its way to being completed this summer
with an opening ceremony scheduled for this fall. The Memorial
looks forward to welcoming its Scottish Rite supporters to this
new museum honoring George Washington-community and church leader,
planter, first Commander in Chief, First President, and America's
foremost Freemason.
Submitted by Bro. George D.
Seghers, 32° Executive Secretary-Treasurer
GWMNM Association
Photo: Bro. Arthur W. Pierson,
32°, Pierson Photography, Falls Church, Virginia
