Test Gallery - Massachusetts Freemasons

While Masonic aprons from the early 1800s have often been preserved in lodge and museum collections, the engraving plates used to print these aprons are exceedingly rare. This plate was used to print a particularly popular apron design. The Grand Lodge recommended it in 1814 "as a judicious selection of the emblems of the Order, arranged with taste and propriety." (Engraving Plate, ca.1814; Edward Horsman (1775-1819), Boston; Copper, H .14 7/8 in.; W. 11 7/8 in.)

Anti-Masonic sentiment grew throughout the country after William Morgan (1774-1826) of Baravia, New York, was kidnapped in 1826. This broadside solicits support in Massachusetts for the Anti-Masonic Party. It describes an August 1830 meeting in Boston in which Masons and anti-Masons discussed whether a Mason could perform the duties of public office in an impartial manner. The Masons objected to the presence of two out-of-jurisdiction Anti-Masonic guests, asserting Bostonians can manage their own affairs. When the guests stood to speak, they were unable to do so because of the “riot” caused by the Freemasons. (Faneuil Hall Riot, or Masonry Unveiled, ca.1830; Unidentified maker; probably Boston; ink on paper H. 12 in.; W. 91/2 in.)

The Grand Lodge purchased this elegant armchair in 1938 from a "non-Masonic source." With the striking painted arrangement of Masonic symbols on the back, it may have been used as a Master's chair. It demonstrates classic elements of the Hepplewhite style, developed in England during the late 1700s by George Hepplewhite (d. 1786), a London cabinetmaker. (Armchair, 1780-1800; Unidentified maker; Probably England or France; Beech, silk, and paint; H. 50 1/2 in.; W. 29 in.; D. 25 in.)

On October 14, 1830, the Grand Lodge celebrated the cornerstone laying for its first Masonic building, located at Tremont Street and Temple Place. (Top: Masonic Temple, Boston, 1850-1858; Benjamin F. Nutting (1803-1884), Boston; Lithograph on paper mounted on board, H. 17 1/8 in.; W. 12 5/8 in.) By 1857, the Grand Lodge found the building cramped. They sold it to the US government for use as a courthouse and purchased a building on the corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets. Unfortunately, on April 6, 1864 a catastrophic fire destroyed the building. The Grand Lodge wasted no time rebuilding; they laid the cornerstone for a new building four months later. Massachusetts Masons dedicated their new building on June 24, 1867. Disaster struck again on September 7, 1895, when fire consumed the building. (Bottom: The New Masonic Temple, Boston, ca. 1865; John H. Bufford (1810-1870), lithographer; Pollard and Leighton, printers, Boston; Lithograph on paper, H. 22 7/8 in.; W. 29 1/2in.)

Hanging outside of the Boston Masonic Building's Corinthian Hall is a carving of a bunch of grapes. The carving is made of pine, oak, and iron taken from the original hull of the U.S.S. Constitution, also know as "Old Iron-sides." According to the plaque describing the grapes, the National Save "Old Ironsides" Committee presented this carving to Boston's Saint John's Lodge on October 7, 1929, in appreciation of a "liberal contribution by the lodge to the fund to recondition this famous ship, so that future generations may know of her glorious naval record." The bunch of grapes is a replica of the carving outside the Bunch of Grapes Tavern where the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and Saint John's Lodge were organized in 1733. (Carving; 1929; Unidentified maker, Boston; Pine; H. IO in.; W. 6 ¾ in.)

The most historically significant object in the Grand Lodge collection, as well as the best known, this gold urn was crafted by Past Grand Master Paul Revere in 1800 and 1801. Treasured for its association with Revere, the urn has increased historical significance due to the lock of hair preserved inside. This hair was clipped from the head of George Washington (1732-1799) shortly after his death on December 14, 1799. (Urn, 1800-1801; Paul Revere (1734-1818), Boston; Gold, H. 3 7/8 in.; W. 3/8 in.)