Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts

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10/02/2026

Over two hundred years ago, the Marquis de Lafayette took up this trowel to help lay the cornerstone of what would become one of the most iconic and celebrated structures in Massachusetts, the Bunker Hill Monument.

On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill where Grand Master Joseph Warren lost his life in the pursuit of liberty, Grand Master John Abbot had the special privilege of presiding over the cornerstone ceremony, but it was an honor he shared. On that day he took this trowel and laid the first course of cement, and then he did something special. He handed the trowel to the special guest of the nation, the Marquis de Lafayette, and allowed him to lay the second course - forever attaching his name to this special piece.

To learn more about supporting the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library and helping to preserve Masonic history, contact [email protected]



09/18/2026

Medal of Honor Masons Episode 5: Robert Milton Boody

With the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts set to hold their One-Day Class in less than a month, here is a story of a One-Day Class Mason from over 150 years ago who did the incredible.

Though living in Amesbury during the start of the American Civil War, Boody enlisted with the 40th New York Regiment and on two separate occasions in 1862 and 1863 saved injured comrades under heavy fire. Wounded four times throughout the War, after his most grievous wound in November 1863 he was sent home on furlough to recover. Back home, he petitioned Warren Lodge for membership and because of dispensation granted by Grand Master William D. Coolidge and continued on by his successor William Parkman, he was able to receive all three degrees in a single day before returning to the front. While Coolidge's dispensation was considered controversial at the time, this policy allowed hundreds of active service members to take their degrees and diffuse the light of Masonry during the darkest period of American history.

09/18/2026

Today marks the 233rd anniversary of the Masonic cornerstone dedication ceremony of the United States Capitol. This ritual was officiated by George Washington, a lifelong Virginia Freemason, and attended by hundreds of brethren from around the region.

One of the massive murals in our inspiring Memorial Hall depicts this event vividly. It provides all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the foundations of our Republic, and the tremendous gift to humanity afforded by the American Revolution, and the freedoms that were recognized by the United States Constitution.

A truly historic evening of Massachusetts Freemasonry!On August 20, more than 230 Master Masons from across New England ...
09/17/2026

A truly historic evening of Massachusetts Freemasonry!

On August 20, more than 230 Master Masons from across New England gathered at Old Sturbridge Village as Major General Salem Towne Lodge, together with the Colonial Craftsman Club Masonic Degree Team of Massachusetts, conferred the Master Mason Degree in a setting unlike any other.

Held on the Village Common in front of the historic Salem Towne House, the evening brought together centuries of Masonic and American history. Lanterns and torches illuminated the grounds, Revolutionary-era cannon and musket fire added to the atmosphere, and Brethren in period clothing helped transport those in attendance back to the earliest days of our nation.

Most Worshipful Timothy S. McGavin, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, joined Brethren for this memorable occasion and participated in the firing of one of the cannon volleys.

The setting was especially meaningful. The Salem Towne House was built in Charlton in 1796 and was later moved to Old Sturbridge Village in 1952, a fitting backdrop for an evening celebrating our Fraternity's connection to the history and traditions of New England.

Our sincere thanks to Major General Salem Towne Lodge, the Colonial Craftsman Degree Team, the Noble Train of Artillery, the Sons of the American Revolution, Old Sturbridge Village, and the many Brothers and volunteers whose efforts made this extraordinary evening possible.

Brotherhood. History. Tradition. An evening that will not soon be forgotten!

09/11/2026

Who was the first Freemason from Massachusetts? While the answer to that question is impossible to answer for sure, Royal Governor of Massachusetts Jonathan Belcher holds the distinction of being the earliest known Mason of the Commonwealth. Made a Mason in 1704 while travelling in Europe, Belcher's Masonic origins predate Henry Price's Grand Lodge by nearly 30 years. This is his story.

09/03/2026

Medal of Honor Masons Episode 4: George Henry Maynard.

Brother Maynard received the Medal of Honor for rushing out to save a wounded soldier, carrying him singlehandedly back to safety under a hail of gunfire at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Maynard was raised a Master Mason in Monitor Lodge of Waltham. He was also an active member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and his Medal of Honor can still be seen at their museum in Fanueil Hall. Thank you to the AHAC Archives for sharing various images used in this video!

Over the past 2 months, the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library's intern, Connell Keough, has been hard at work! Connell, an...
08/27/2026

Over the past 2 months, the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library's intern, Connell Keough, has been hard at work! Connell, an incoming senior at Worcester State (History Major, Public History Minor), has truly gotten a crash course in Masonic history - diving into our Grand Secretary's vault where some of our oldest records rest. For decades, what was in our vault was somewhat of a mystery but with Connell's help these records are being brought to the light once again!

Over 150 items cataloged and 20 of our oldest record books digitized. Furthermore, at the start of August he assisted the library in preparing objects and signage for a pop-up display at the Massachusetts Grand Council of Royal and Select Master's 200th Anniversary Banquet. Then to cap it all off, on his final day at Grand Lodge he uncovered a promissory note from 1787 signed by Benjamin Franklin himself! More study on this piece needs to be done but it was quite a way to finish his time here.

Cataloging, digitizing, and exhibit preparation - he did it all. Thank you, Connell, for all of your hard work!

R.W. David Urquhart was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1846 and Raised a Master Mason in St. Andrew's Lodge #465 (Glasg...
08/20/2026

R.W. David Urquhart was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1846 and Raised a Master Mason in St. Andrew's Lodge #465 (Glasgow) in 1873. One year later he moved across that Atlantic to Chile where he affiliated Bethesda Lodge (Massachusetts jurisdiction) in Valparaiso. In 1884 he served as Master of the Lodge and in 1904 he served as District Deputy Grand Master of Chile. Then, in 1915 M.W. Melvin Maynard Johnson appointed him as District Grand Master of Chile, an office he would serve in until his death in 1919.

Though he was born across the Atlantic and practiced the Craft in another hemisphere, he was a Massachusetts Mason through and through.

As the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library continues to use its new flatbed scanner to produce more high-resolution scans, get ready to see more of the faces that built the Craft.

08/05/2026

Have you ever wondered what the Grand Lodge building looked like when it was being built?

Completed in 1899, and designed by architect and fellow Mason George F. Loring (Aberdour Lodge & John Abbot Lodge) to replace the previous building that had burned in 1895, the building still stands today and serves as the hub of Masonry in Boston.

The Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library recently acquired a new flatbed scanner to digitally preserve the thousands of images in our collection. These photographs were too interesting not to show off!

07/30/2026

293 years ago, a handful of Masons gathered at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston and changed Freemasonry forever.

Officially constituted on July 30th, 1733, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and St. John's Lodge exist today as the oldest duly constituted Grand Lodge and Lodge in the western hemisphere. This is their story.

Benjamin Franklin's involvement with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts isn't well understood, so here is the full reference in Grand Lodge Proceedings:

"5734 June 24. Being the anniversary of St. John the Baptist the Brethren Celebrated the Feast in due manner and form, and chose Our Rt. Wor. Bro. Frederick Hamilton Master of the Lodge.

About this time our Wor. Bro. Benjamin Franklin from Philadelphia became acquainted with our Rt. Wor. Grand Master Price, who further instructed him in the Royal Art, and said Franklin on his return to Philadelphia called the Brethren there together, who petitioned our Rt. Wor. Grand Master for a Constitution to hold a Lodge, and our Rt. Wor. Grand Master having this year received orders from the Grand Lodge in England to establish Masonry in all North America did send a Deputation to Philadelphia, appointing the Rt. Wor. Benjamin Franklin first Master; which is the beginning of Masonry there."

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186 Tremont Street
Boston, MA
02111

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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