Smithfield Masonic Lodge #182 - Smithfield Ohio

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Smithfield Masonic Lodge #182 - Smithfield Ohio

"Fraternity for the Betterment of Men"

1st & 3rd Thursday's :

No meetings in July & August

P.O Box 404
Smithfield, Ohio 43948
(1)

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the World. Founded in London, England in 1717, its current worldwide membership totals 3.6 million members, 1.6 million of which are in North America. With 120,000 Masons and 530 local Lodges, Ohio has one of the largest Masonic memberships of any state in the country. As a fraternal organization, Freemasonry u

nites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind. The traditions of Freemasonry are founded upon the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and its fraternal ceremonies use the working tools of the stonemasons to symbolize moral lessons and truths. For example, Masons are reminded at Lodge to “meet upon the level of equality, act by the plumb of uprightness, and part upon the square of virtue.”

Like most organizations, one will get out of Freemasonry what he is able to put into it. However, membership in Freemasonry is not meant in any way to interfere with an individual’s commitment to his faith, family, or occupation. Freemasonry is not and never can be a replacement for these important institutions, but rather it is a positive environment that reminds every Mason of his duty to God, his community, his family and himself. Freemasonry provides opportunities for sincere, honest, forthright men who believe in God and desire to contribute to the improvement of their communities and themselves. Through our Masonic Fraternalism, we reaffirm our dedication and unity to become involved citizens who have a strong desire to preserve the values that have made and continue to make America great

Freemasonry began in Smithfield by a group of Masons applying to G.L for a dispensation to establish and hold a lodge in the town of Smithfield, Ohio; to be called Jefferson Lodge No. ___. The first meeting recorded was in Oct. 1848( It probably was the second meeting), it was held in the home of Nelson A. Adams whose house was on the South half of Lots No. 87 & 89 of the Village of Smithfield

06/13/2026

June 13, 1777 – Brother Marquis de Lafayette Arrives in America

Today, Smithfield Masonic Lodge No. 182 commemorates the arrival of one of the most celebrated heroes of the American Revolution and one of Freemasonry’s most distinguished Brothers, the Marquis de Lafayette.

On June 13, 1777, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arrived in South Carolina after crossing the Atlantic at his own expense to support the cause of American independence. Though young in years, Lafayette was driven by a profound belief in liberty, justice, and the rights of mankind.

A Freemason and devoted friend of General George Washington, Brother Lafayette quickly became one of the most trusted leaders of the Continental Army. His courage on the battlefield, unwavering commitment to freedom, and dedication to the principles of human dignity left an enduring mark on both the United States and the world.

His words continue to inspire generations:

“Humanity has gained its suit; Liberty will nevermore be without an asylum.”

Brother Lafayette’s life serves as a reminder of the values we strive to uphold as Masons—Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. His service to others, devotion to principle, and willingness to sacrifice for a cause greater than himself exemplify the character of a true Mason.

As we reflect on his arrival in America 249 years ago today, we honor the legacy of a Brother whose belief in freedom helped shape a nation and whose example continues to inspire good men everywhere.

06/13/2026

📐✨ Fellowcraft Degree at Smithfield Lodge No. 182 ✨📐

On June 4, 2026, Smithfield Lodge No. 182 had the honor of conferring the Fellowcraft Degree upon our Brother, continuing his journey through the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry.

The Fellowcraft Degree represents growth in knowledge, understanding, and personal development. As a Fellowcraft, a Mason is encouraged to pursue learning, strengthen his character, and continue building upon the foundations laid as an Entered Apprentice.

The Brethren of Smithfield Lodge No. 182 extend their sincere congratulations and look forward to supporting our Brother as he continues his advancement toward the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

Please join us in congratulating our newest Fellowcraft Brother on this important milestone in his Masonic journey.

Congratulations, Brother! 🔨📖🧭

“Let us labor diligently in the pursuit of knowledge and virtue.”

📸 Photo taken following the Fellowcraft Degree at Smithfield Lodge No. 182 on June 4, 2026.

06/13/2026

📐✨ A Special Night at Smithfield Lodge No. 182 ✨📐

Smithfield Lodge No. 182 was honored to welcome Brothers Zachery Davis and Michael Bell as they took their first steps in Freemasonry and were initiated as Entered Apprentices.

This marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of brotherhood, self-improvement, and Masonic light. We congratulate our newest Brothers and look forward to watching them continue their progress through the degrees of Masonry. Surrounded by the officers and brethren of the Lodge, these new Brothers have taken their first steps in the ancient and honorable fraternity of Freemasonry. Their initiation marks the beginning of a journey dedicated to brotherly love, relief, truth, and personal growth.

Please join us in welcoming Brother Zachery and Brother Michael to our Masonic family and wishing them success on the path ahead.

Congratulations, Brothers! 🔨📖🧭

“On the level, by the square.”

06/13/2026

From the Archives: A Fraternal Photo Shoot at the White House

In January 1913, an extraordinary moment in American and Masonic history unfolded within the walls of the The White House. President William Howard Taft welcomed a delegation from Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 for a historic photographic session featuring some of the most treasured Masonic artifacts associated with our nation’s first President, George Washington.

The lodge, one of the most historically significant in American Freemasonry, had long served as the custodian of several relics connected to Washington. Among the items brought to the White House were Washington’s Masonic apron and the ceremonial trowel he used during the laying of the cornerstone of the United States Capitol on September 18, 1793.

In the famous photograph from that day, President Taft is seen wearing Washington’s Masonic apron and holding the historic trowel. More than a simple photo opportunity, the image symbolized a remarkable connection between two American Presidents, both Freemasons, separated by more than a century of history yet united by the principles of the Craft.

Many people are surprised to learn that Taft was a Freemason. He was raised in the fraternity in 1909 shortly before assuming the Presidency and remained an active supporter throughout his life. His devotion to preserving Washington’s Masonic legacy continued after leaving office. In 1923, while serving as Chief Justice of the United States, Taft participated in the cornerstone ceremony for the magnificent George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a monument dedicated to honoring Washington’s life, leadership, and Masonic service.

The story also highlights the importance of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. Washington served as its first Charter Master, and the lodge became the guardian of many of the artifacts that help tell the story of his Masonic journey. Through their careful preservation, future generations have been able to appreciate the deep connection between the Father of Our Country and the fraternity he cherished.

For Freemasons, this photograph remains one of the most remarkable images ever captured. It features a sitting President of the United States, a Brother Mason, wearing the actual regalia of Brother George Washington and holding the very trowel used during the construction of the nation’s Capitol. Few photographs better illustrate the enduring influence of Masonic principles upon the character, leadership, and service of generations of Americans.

As we reflect upon this unique moment from our nation’s history, we are reminded that the values exemplified by Washington—integrity, honor, duty, and brotherly love—remain as relevant today as they were more than two centuries ago.

06/12/2026

🇺🇸🔷 Step back in time and celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in Masonic fellowship and style! 🔷🇺🇸

“Smithfield Lodge #182 would like to help spread the word and support our Brothers of the 24th District!”

The 24th Masonic District proudly invites you to an unforgettable Adult Prom America: 250 Years celebration! Dust off your formal attire, shine those dancing shoes, and join Brothers, family, and friends for an evening filled with fellowship, food, music, and patriotic spirit.

✨ Event Details:
📅 Friday, June 20th
🕕 6:00 PM – Midnight
📍 Pottery Addition VFD Hall
448 Kingsdale Road
Steubenville, OH 43952

💲 Tickets:
• $65 per couple
• $45 single admission

🍽 Dinner Provided
🥂 BYOB
💃🕺 Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a great night!

Hosted by Pilgrim Lodge #691, this special evening celebrates not only fellowship among the Craft, but also the enduring spirit of our nation as America approaches 250 years of history, liberty, and unity.

We hope to see Brothers, families, and friends come together for an evening of fun and celebration!

06/11/2026

June 11, 1776: The Road to American Independence

On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee charged with one of the most important tasks in American history the drafting of a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

Selected to serve on this committee were Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Brother Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Brother Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Brother Roger Sherman of Connecticut. While Thomas Jefferson would become the principal author, the committee worked together to refine and present the document that would forever change the course of history.

Freemasons take special pride in remembering that several members of this committee were Brothers of the Craft. Brother Benjamin Franklin, one of the most celebrated Masons of the Colonial era, was a champion of liberty, education, and enlightened thought. Brother Robert R. Livingston would later administer the oath of office to George Washington as the first President of the United States. Brother Roger Sherman was the only Founding Father to sign all four of America’s great state papers: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution.

The principles expressed in the Declaration human equality, individual rights, moral responsibility, and government by the consent of the governed reflect ideals that Freemasons have long sought to promote through Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

As we remember this day in history, we honor the vision, courage, and dedication of those men who risked everything to establish a new nation founded upon liberty and self-government.

Their signatures pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans and Freemasons alike.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”

So Mote It Be.

06/11/2026

Brother John Wayne: A Mason Remembered

Today, June 11, we pause to remember Brother John Wayne (1907–1979), who passed to the Grand Lodge Above on this day 47 years ago. Known to millions as “The Duke,” John Wayne became an enduring symbol of courage, patriotism, determination, and strength. Yet beyond the silver screen, he was also a proud Freemason who found fellowship and equality among his Brothers.

Many are surprised to learn that after decades as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, Wayne sought something that fame could never provide the genuine brotherhood of Freemasonry. In 1970, he was raised a Master Mason in Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 56 in Tucson, Arizona. He would later continue his Masonic journey through the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shriners.

Brother Wayne reportedly cherished his time in Lodge because there, his celebrity disappeared. He met with his Brothers upon the Level, where titles, wealth, and fame were left outside the Lodge room. He once found in Freemasonry what so many men before and after him have discovered a place where character matters more than status.

Throughout his life, Wayne embodied many of the virtues that Freemasonry seeks to cultivate: loyalty, perseverance, patriotism, charity, and service to others. After surviving lung cancer, he became a public advocate for cancer awareness and early detection, using his influence to help others rather than simply advancing himself.

As Masons, we remember Brother JOHN WAYNE not merely as a movie star, but as a Brother who sought light, fellowship, and self-improvement. His life reminds us that no matter our profession or station in life, we are all equal when we gather as Brothers.

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands.” — Brother John Wayne

May we continue to build a better tomorrow through the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

“So Mote It Be.”

06/11/2026

Brother George Washington and Potter Spring: A Masonic Connection to Our Ohio Valley Heritage

On October 22, 1770, nearly six years before the
Declaration of Independence and almost two decades before becoming the first President of the United States, Brother George Washington arrived at what was then known as Mingo Town, located in present-day Mingo Junction, Ohio. Washington was traveling the Ohio Valley to inspect lands granted to veterans of the French and Indian War, carefully recording his observations in the journal that survives to this day.

Local tradition holds that Washington and his party camped near what is now known as Potter Spring, where they refreshed themselves with the spring’s water during their stay. The significance of Washington’s visit was so enduring that, in 1932, during the nationwide Washington Bicentennial celebration, a major historical pageant was held at Mingo Junction on the very site associated with Washington’s encampment. Thousands gathered to commemorate his journey through the Upper Ohio Valley.

Washington described Mingo Town as an Iroquois settlement consisting of approximately twenty cabins and seventy inhabitants. During his stay, he encountered Native American leaders and warriors, continuing relationships he had formed years earlier during his service on the frontier. These experiences would help shape his understanding of the lands and peoples of the American frontier long before the birth of the nation.

For Freemasons, however, this story carries an even deeper meaning.

Brother George Washington was not merely a military officer, surveyor, or future president. He was a devoted Freemason who was initiated in 1752 in Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 in Virginia. Throughout his life, he exemplified many of the virtues that Masonry seeks to cultivate: integrity, leadership, prudence, fortitude, and service to others.

When Washington stood on the banks of the Ohio River in 1770, he was already a Mason. As he explored the wilderness of what would become Ohio, he carried with him the same principles taught within the Lodge brotherly love, relief, and truth. Those principles would later guide him through the Revolution, the Constitutional Convention, and the Presidency.

The connection between Potter Spring and Freemasonry reminds us that Masonic history is not confined to famous cities or grand buildings. Sometimes it is found along a quiet spring, beside a frontier river, where a young Mason paused to reflect on the future possibilities of a growing nation.

As members of Smithfield Lodge #182, we can take pride in knowing that one of Freemasonry’s most celebrated Brothers walked, camped, and explored the very region we call home. Long before there was an Ohio, long before there was a United States, Brother George Washington stood in our Ohio Valley and looked westward toward the future.

“The real glory of Freemasonry is that it inculcates the practice of every moral virtue.”
— Brother George Washington

06/10/2026

🇺🇸 On This Day in History – June 10, 1768 🇺🇸

Two hundred fifty-eight years ago today, British customs officials seized the cargo sloop Liberty in
Boston Harbor. The vessel belonged to John Hancock, merchant, patriot, and Brother Freemason. The seizure, stemming from a dispute over imported Madeira wine and British taxation policies, ignited public outrage throughout Boston and became one of the key events that escalated tensions between the American colonies and the Crown.

The unrest that followed helped set in motion a chain of events leading to the stationing of British troops in Boston, the Boston Massacre, and ultimately the American Revolution.

While Freemasonry did not create the Revolution, many of the men who would shape America’s fight for independence including Brothers John Hancock, Paul Revere, Joseph Warren, and later George Washington shared bonds forged both in their communities and within the Craft.

Today, as we reflect on this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, we remember the contributions of those Brothers who stood for liberty, self-governance, and the principles they believed would build a better future.

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

06/10/2026

🇺🇸⚖️ Freemasonry and the Founding of Ohio ⚖️🇺🇸

Long before Ohio became a state, before there were towns, roads, or even permanent settlements across much of the territory, a young Brother George Washington traveled through the Ohio Country to see the lands he had fought to secure during the French and Indian War.

On October 5, 1770, Washington began a journey into the Ohio Valley. Traveling down the Ohio River, he carefully studied the rich farmland, forests, and waterways of the frontier. On November 17, he reached Mingo Town along the Ohio River. After waiting for his horses to arrive, he crossed the river and continued toward Fort Pitt. What he saw convinced him that the Ohio Country would one day become one of the most important regions in America.

Yet this frontier was far from peaceful.

Just a few years later, in 1774, John Decker constructed a fort of logs and stone near the Ohio River at what would later become Steubenville. The settlement stood on the edge of the wilderness during a time of growing conflict between Native American tribes and frontier settlers. According to local history, lead bullets and arrowheads discovered along the riverbank indicate attacks on the fort from nearby Mingo Island. These artifacts serve as reminders of the hardships, dangers, and uncertainty faced by the earliest pioneers of the Ohio Valley.

Following the American Revolution, the United States began opening the Northwest Territory for settlement. In 1786, Fort Steuben was established along the Ohio River to protect government surveyors mapping the lands that would become Ohio. Named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Baron Friedrich von Steuben, the fort played a vital role in securing the frontier and supporting the orderly settlement of the territory.

Many of the men who led this effort were Freemasons. Among them was Brother Rufus Putnam, often called the “Father of Ohio,” who led the settlement of Marietta in 1788 and helped lay the foundation for Ohio’s future.

When the Grand Lodge of Ohio was established in 1808, many of Ohio’s earliest Freemasons were veterans, pioneers, surveyors, judges, merchants, and civic leaders. Their principles of brotherhood, integrity, charity, and service helped shape not only the fraternity, but the communities they built throughout the frontier.

From George Washington’s journey through the Ohio Country, to John Decker’s frontier fort, to Fort Steuben and the surveyors who mapped the Northwest Territory, Ohio’s story is one of courage, perseverance, and vision.

Today, as members of Smithfield Masonic Lodge No. 182, we are proud heirs to that legacy. The same values that guided those early pioneers—faith, brotherhood, integrity, and service—continue to guide Freemasons across Ohio more than two centuries later.

📍 Smithfield Masonic Lodge No. 182 F.&A.M.
🏛 Established 1849

Jefferson County Historical Association

Address

1267 Main Street
Smithfield, OH
43948

Opening Hours

5:30pm - 8pm

Telephone

+17409441201

Website

http://www.freemason.com/how-to-join/qualifications-for-membership/, http://www.freemason.com/

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