BGuthrie Photos: VA -- Alexandria -- George Washington Masonic Natl Memorial

VA -- Alexandria -- George Washington Masonic Natl Memorial:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. MASON1_131201_036.JPG: Letter to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, April 1797 "In that retirement which declining years induced me to seek, and which repose, to a mind long employed in public concerns, rendered necessary, my wishes that bounteous providence will continue to bless, & preserve our country in peace, & in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will be warm & sincere, and my attachment to the society of which we are members will dispose me always, to contribute my best endeavors to promote the honor and interest of the craft." -- G Washington
2. MASON1_131201_039.JPG: Letter to King David's Lodge No. 1 Newport, Rhode Island Aug. 22, 1790 "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." -- G. Washington
3. MASON1_131201_072.JPG: George Washington as Freemason, ca 1876 Edward Valentine
4. MASON1_131201_160.JPG: George Washington as Freemason, ca 1876 Edward Valentine
5. MASON1_131201_275.JPG: This clock stood in George Washington's bed chamber at Mount Vernon, where he died after a brief illness on December 14, 1799. Elisha Cullen Dick and James Craik, both experienced physicians and members of Alexandria Lodge, attended George Washington in his final illness, along with Dr. Gustavus Brown. Dick cut the cord to the clock's weight, stopping it at 10:20pm, to mark the time of Washington's passing.
6. MASON1_131201_289.JPG: Trowel used by General George Washington, September 18, 1793 to lay the corner stone of the Capitol of the United States of America
7. MASON1_131201_304.JPG: Alexandria Washington Lodge used this engraved copper plate to print its membership certificates.
8. MASON1_131201_309.JPG: Wooden maul at the center contains wood from Christ Church in Alexandria and nearby Pohick Church. Larger gavel is made from a cross beam section removed from the White House during its 1950s renovation under Harry Truman. Second gavel is carved from wood removed during a restoration of original sills at Washington's Mount Vernon estate.
9. MASON1_131201_331.JPG: Gavel made from a piece of magnolia from the tree at Mount Vernon said to be the last planted by George Washington in 1799.
10. MASON1_131201_378.JPG: Pistol Box. According to family tradition, George Washington owned this pistol box.
11. MASON1_131201_383.JPG: The family of Mrs. John Augustine Washington of Mount Vernon
12. MASON1_131201_392.JPG: Replica of gavel used at the Capitol cornerstone ceremony, September 18, 1793.
13. MASON1_131201_395.JPG: Masonic jewels
14. MASON1_131201_404.JPG: Presidential medal. 1797.
15. MASON1_131201_406.JPG: Reverse painting on glass, Chinese for the American market, c 1800-1825
16. MASON1_131201_430.JPG: Badges worn by Masonic dignitaries at the centennial of the death of George Washington, held at Alexandria and Mount Vernon, 1899.
17. MASON1_131201_433.JPG: Medallions commemorating the sesquicentennial of Washington's initiation as a Freemason. 1902.
18. MASON1_131201_443.JPG: Moving the large statue of George Washington into Memorial Hall, 1950. Moving the seven-ton statue into the building was a major undertaking.
19. MASON1_131201_446.JPG: Placing the columns in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Derricks lifted the columns over the upper terraced wall and placed them in position.
20. MASON1_131201_448.JPG: May 1933. This frame was made from the wood cut from Mt. Vernon. J.V. Legg
21. MASON1_131201_451.JPG: Freemasons laying a wreath at Washington's tomb, 1956
22. MASON1_131201_453.JPG: Mourned Hero: At about ten o'clock Thursday morning, December 12, 1799, the General, as he was accustomed, rode out to his farms. Soon after he left, the weather turned nasty with rain, hail, and snow. He returned home soaked shortly after 3:00 and began to suffer severe inflammation of the throat. Three physicians, all Mason, attended him: Dr. James Craik, the family physician; Dr. Gustavus Brown, from Port Tobacco, Maryland, across the river from Mt. Vernon; and Dr. Elisha Cullin Dick of Alexandria. The various efforts to save the great man, including bleeding, all proved ineffective. Washington breathed his last words, "Tis well," and died at 10:20 in the evening on December 14 at the age of 67. His body lay in repose at Mount Vernon; and he was buried with full Masonic rites, as well as those of the church, on December 18, 1799. Masonic commemorations were held the world-over. He was buried in the family vault and the nation mourned.
23. MASON1_131201_456.JPG: George Washington in his last illness attended by Docrs. Craik and Brown.
24. MASON1_131201_459.JPG: Trowel. In 1837 John Struthers used this trowel to seal the new marble sarcophagus in George Washington tomb.
25. MASON1_131201_465.JPG: Pocket watch. Used by Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick at the deathbed of Brother George Washington, December 14, 1799.
26. MASON1_131201_482.JPG: Lafayette banner. When the Marquis de Lafayette returned to America in 1824 and 1825 as the nation's guest, this banner, with its portrait of George Washington, was paraded in the ceremonies.
27. MASON1_131201_491.JPG: King Solomon's Temple
28. MASON1_131201_507.JPG: Building the George Washington Masonic National Memorial: On June 5, 1922, groundbreaking for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial took place on Shooter's Hill. Steam shovels dug the bowl-shaped foundation. Mule-drawn scoops cleared the hill of trees and brush. President Calvin Coolidge and former President William Howard Taft attended the Masonic cornerstone ceremony on November 1, 1923. Construction continued, even during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In all, the building required more than a million feet on limber, 25 tons of nails, and 75,000 tons of cement, gravel, sand, and granite.
29. MASON1_131201_509.JPG: Newspaper Mat. "Washington Times," May 12, 1932, publishing story of the Grand Opening of the Masonic Memorial.
30. MASON1_131201_514.JPG: Dedicating the George Washington Masonic National Memorial: On May 12, 1932, during the bicentennial year of Washington's birth, nearly a decade after the cornerstone ceremony, President Herbert Hoover dedicated the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Thousands of Freemasons from all over the country attended the ceremony and parade. In honor of the event, a U.S. Navy ship stationed in the Potomac River fired a salute and the Post Office issued a special series of stamps. On February 22, 1950, President Harry S. Truman, a Past Grand Master of Masons in Missouri, dedicated the massive statue of George Washington that stands in Memorial Hall. On June 26, 1999, as part of a yearlong commemoration of the bicentennial of the death of George Washington, a large Masonic emblem was dedicated in front of the Memorial.
31. MASON1_131201_515.JPG: Planning the George Washington Masonic National Memorial: In 1907, the Alexandria-Washington Lodge reopened the Alexandria Museum to a public eager to view its collection relating to George Washington's life. Visitation surged form 600 the first year to over 40,000 within 15 years. In 1909, a local committee began planning a suitable and fireproof memorial for the Washington artifacts. Virginia Grand Master Joseph W. Eggleston invited Grand Lodges from various state jurisdictions to meet in Alexandria on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1910. From the meeting, a call went out to all American Grand Masters. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association was formed in February 1911. After a decade of fundraising from the Masonic fraternity for this great project, the Association awarded the architectural design commission to the New York firm of Helmle and Corbett. The association selected Corbett, trained on architecture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in France, because of his classically-inspired previous work (such as his 1909 design for the Brooklyn Masonic Temple) and his advocacy of the skyscraper movement (such as his 1916 design for New York's Bush Tower). The Ziggurat towers of antiquity and the Egyptian Alexandria Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) inspired Corbett's design for the Masonic Memorial. The symbolism was obvious -- as Freemasonry had been a guiding light to Washington, so Washington was a guiding light to statesmanship and Freemasonry.
32. MASON1_131201_546.JPG: Bastille Key. Lafayette presented this key to Alexandria-Washington Lodge. He gave Washington a similar key, which remains at Mount Vernon to this day.
33. MASON1_131201_558.JPG: Elevator
34. MASON1_131201_565.JPG: Memorial procession in Philadelphia
35. MASON2_131201_029.JPG: The Grotto Room: 1948-2009: Soon after World War II, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association undertook opening the tower for public tours. The Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, or "Grotto", was the first Masonic-affiliated organization that volunteered to renovate a floor. Following the example of Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22's Replica Lodge Room, the Grotto created the third floor as a replica of its imaginary "Enchanted Realm." Employing ancient Persian art and mythological images, the floor opened in 1948. Until the elevators were installed in 1957, the public climbed stairs to view the floor. The room included numerous display cases containing regalia and souvenirs and a fez from every local Grotto. Many of these items continue on display in this renovated floor that opened in 2012.
36. MASON2_131201_073.JPG: Jim Beam Whiskey Decanter, 1971
37. MASON2_131201_115.JPG: Mickey Mouse and the Barnyard Chapter of DeMolay, December 1932. Fred Spencer, Walt Disney Studios. Walt Disney (1901-1966) was an early member of the first DeMolay chapter organized by Frank Land in 1919. In 1965 he wrote: "I realize now, even more than then, how deeply my whole life, personal and professional, has been influenced by that early association. I am proud, indeed, still to retain my bond with DeMolay as an honorary legionnaire." This cartoon appeared in the DeMolay magazine The Cordon, the artist Fred Spencer was a Freemason.
38. MASON2_131201_149.JPG: Origins of Freemasonry: No one knows the true origins of Freemasonry. Although some Masonic Lodges existed in Britain in the early 1600s, it was not until 1717 that four London Lodges organized a Grand Lodge to govern themselves. Freemasonry's rituals and teachings, however, contain deeper strata of thought that stretch back through the Middle Ages to the ancient world. Over generations, many people of different communities, faiths and philosophies helped build Freemasonry. Three principal communities influenced the creation of Freemasonry. The first was Judeo-Christian faith, the second stonemason guilds, and the third, intellectuals from the Enlightenment period. The Judeo-Christian faith teaches the "Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God." The stonemason guilds provided the symbols, tools and stories around which to create a new society, while the enlightened intellectuals dedicated the Fraternity to the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Though separate and distinct, these communities were related through a fascination with the Temple of God in Jerusalem. According to the Bible, God's Temple was planned by wise King Solomon, built by organized stonemasons, and was perfect in its architecture. Based on these three traditions, the "Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity of Accepted Free-Masons" began in London. As British merchants, sailors, soldiers and colonists traveled, they took Freemasonry with them. In every corner of the world, the Fraternity would adapt to the needs of new communities, while perpetuating its rituals, symbols and tenets.
39. MASON2_131201_155.JPG: George Washington
40. MASON2_131201_201.JPG: George Washington Masonic Trivet, c 1869 Family tradition holds this trivet was made from a brass kettle used by George Washington when he surveyed the James River area in Virginia in 1751.
41. MASON2_131201_211.JPG: Anti-Masonic Period 1825-1850: By 1825, the United States government was firmly established and Freemasons had played a recognized role in this process. But unlike the federal government, Freemasonry's lack of national authority left it vulnerable to innovations, immigrations and attacks. The innovations were new Masonic initiation rituals. Freemasonry consists of three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. By 1800, however, four additional Royal Arch degrees were being conferred in separate chapters with state grand chapters organizing into a confederation. These innovations encouraged European immigrants to perpetuate and peddle new Masonic initiations. As a result, membership in Freemasonry grew rapidly in the early 1800s. However, that would soon change. In 1826, William Morgan promised to publish Freemasonry's secrets. Allegedly, a group of Masons kidnapped Morgan, after failing to stop him with threats. He was never seen again. His disappearance was instrumental in the formation of the Anti-Masonic Political Party. Incited by politicians and preachers, opponents accused Freemasons of being part of an evil, international conspiracy to destroy America' freedom. As a consequence, Freemasons suffered persecution as town officials forced their Lodges to close, churches banished them, and neighbors shunned them. The anti-Masonic hysteria was over by 1842, and Freemasonry began to renew itself. A main reason for its revival was a return to the basic teachings of Freemasonry by enlightened individuals settling on the frontier. As they improved the land and founded towns, they improved their manners and minds. Through Freemasonry, generations of pioneers learned about classical education while practicing etiquette and proper diction. Many local and Grand Lodges began libraries and, in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin, to lend books to educate their brethren.
42. MASON2_131201_217.JPG: Andrew Jackson, 1800s
43. MASON2_131201_224.JPG: Andrew Jackson Medal, 2008 Established in 1991, this medal is given to honor men who give distinguished service to Freemasonry, humanity and country.
44. MASON2_131201_242.JPG: Masonic Membership Chart 1900-1950
45. MASON2_131201_253.JPG: Freemasons of the Civil War Era: Lewis A. Armistead Nathaniel P. Banks Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Nathan Bedford Forrest James A. Garfield Andrew Johnson George B. McClellan George Edward Pickett Winfield Scott Edwin M. Stanton Robert A. Toombs
46. MASON2_131201_257.JPG: Top Ten American Fraternal Organizations, 1896 Odd Fellows ... 810,000 Freemasons ... 750,000
47. MASON2_131201_268.JPG: Masonic Membership Chart 1950-2000
48. MASON2_131201_280.JPG: Harry Truman 1900s
49. MASON2_131201_293.JPG: The Simpsons -- "Homer the Great" This image shows Homer Simpson joining the "Ancient Mystic Society of Stonecutters." A direct parody of Freemasonry, among the symbols in the background are a Square and Compasses and a triangle with the All-Seeing Eye, along with satirical, crossed ping-pong paddles. Administering the Stonecutters' oath is "Number One" voices by actor Patrick Stewart.
50. MASON2_131201_302.JPG: The Man Who Would Be King: Based on a short story by Rudyard Kipling, the 1975 film starred Michael Caine and Sean Connery. It tells of two British adventurers and Freemasons who become rules of "Kafiristan," a mythical country beyond Afghanistan. The priest of hte kingdom practiced Masonic rituals and used Masonic symbols given by Alexander the Great some 2000 years before. Shown here is Sean Comnery as "King David Dravot" wearing the Masonic Square and Compasses with the All-Seeing Eye.
51. MASON2_131201_343.JPG: George Washington Bust, ca 1975 Colossal Bronze Avard Fairbanks
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Wikipedia Description: George Washington Masonic National Memorial
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a masonic lodge and memorial dedicated to the memory of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America and a Mason. George Washington belonged to Alexandria Lodge 22, and was named the lodge's Charter Master in 1788. Records of Washington presiding over the lodge are non-existent, possibly due to a fire at the lodge's original location in Alexandria's City Hall, which is where the lodge met until moving to the memorial in the early 1940s. Ground was broken in 1922, the Cornerstone laid in 1923; it was completed in 1932. It is located in Alexandria, Virginia atop Shuter's Hill (named after a union fort on the same location) and affords views of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. to the north. The tower is fashioned after the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Egypt), in part because of the town's namesake, and the masonic interest in great buildings of the ancient world. It is located where King Street leaves the Old Town district, makes a bend and starts up a long hill. The Memorial's proximity to both the King Street station of the Metro and to Amtrak's Alexandria passenger station, in recent decades has turned the property into a most strategic and valuable location.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is the only Masonic building supported and maintained by the 52 Grand Lodges of the United States. This is counter to common Masonic practice, where a building is only supported by the Grand Lodge of the state in which it resides. The building also houses the collection of the Alexandria Lodge, which contains most of the fraternal artifacts of George Washington, including: Watson and Catsoul Apron, Sash, Past Master portrait, Working Tools and Trowel used to lay the cornerstone at the United States Capitol.

Art and architecture:

The masons are master craftsmen, and the building was built entirely with o ...More...
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2013 photos: Equipment this year: I mostly used my Fuji XS-1 camera but, depending on the event, I also used a Nikon D7000 and Nikon D600. Trips this year: three Civil War Trust conferences (Memphis, TN, Jackson, MS [to which I added a week to to visit sites in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee], and Richmond, VA), and my 8th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including sites in Nevada and California). Ego Strokes: Aviva Kempner used my photo of her as her author photo in Larry Ruttman's "American Jews & America's Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball" book. Number of photos taken this year: just over 570,000.
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