OVERVIEW
Title: Warshaw Collection of Business Americana: Business Ephemera: Masons
Collection Dates: circa 1775-1945
Extent and Forms of Material: 1cubic foot, including 2 oversize folders
Scope and Content Note: This is a collection of materials relating to Freemasonry, a fraternal
organization that traces its origins to the stonemason’s guilds of Europe. While lodges existed in
Scotland and England in the 1600s, the founding of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 is
considered the origin of organized Freemasonry.
The order quickly spread to the American colonies and by 1730 was established in New England.
Benjamin Franklin became a Mason in 1731 and during the 18 th century a great many prominent
colonial citizens, including George Washington and Paul Revere joined as well. Nine of the 56
signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons as well as numerous officers of the
Continental Army. The construction of many public buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, began
with a laying of the cornerstone in a Masonic ritual.
In the first quarter of the 19th century Freemasonry prospered. By 1830, however, suspicions regarding its secret rituals (including the unfounded charges that the rituals included non-Christian
worship); as well as a belief that its members were hatching anti-democratic plots, engendered
virulent attacks on the order. An Anti-Masonic political party was formed and the number of
lodges fell dramatically.
Freemasonry regained its prominence during the next few decades by promoting its dedication to
the ideals of self-improvement, personal morality, and the public good. A proliferation of new
rituals requiring dramatic theatricality and elaborate costuming attracted new members. Social
and business contacts were made at meetings and events that contributed to one’s success and the
opportunity to perform charitable works appealed to many.
In 1870 the order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was founded as an adjunct to the Freemasons
and dedicated to the pursuit of fun, recreation and general hilarity. The Shriners are well-known
today for the numerous children’s hospitals they have founded and supported.
Freemasonry continued to thrive well into the 20th century, building many impressive edifices
and attracting the most influential citizens in most communities. As social attitudes changed in
the 1960s, membership declined. Yet, grand Masonic lodges and temples still grace many American cities and towns to bear witness to the order’s former glories and Freemasons continue to
practice the rituals and enjoy the fellowship of their order.
For the researcher, this material provides information about the location of many lodges, particularly in the northeast United States. Many are represented by a single item; others by numerous
cards, fliers, letters and the like. Some have lists of their officers which may be of interest to genealogical researchers. Correspondence may give insight into lodge activities—or other activities
of the writer. The great variety of ritual and costuming is seen in the catalogues of manufacturers
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
and a number of publications give insight into the practices and aims of the order. A number of
mutual benefit associations are represented as well as material about Masonic homes for elderly
brethren and orphans. A small number of medals, coins, and ribbons as well as numerous images
of symbolic devices is indicative of the rich visual content of Freemasonry. The order’s enthusiasm for parties and other social occasions is represented by invitations to and announcements of
these events.
Series 1: Lodges, Commanderies, and Temples ca.1800-1945. This material is organized alphabetically by state and city and consists of miscellaneous printed materials and correspondence. Freemasonry in the U.S. consists of York Rite and Scottish Rite Lodges.
Members of a York Rite lodge may ascend through the ranks of the Royal Arch and
Royal and Select Councils to the highest rank of Knights Templar. Templar lodges are called
“commanderies.” The member of a Scottish Rite lodge may ascend through many degrees, culminating in the 33rd degree.
Freemasons of either rite may join the Shriners; their lodges are known as “temples.”
Grand Lodges have jurisdiction over all the lodges in their state. Examples of material from
many of these ranks and lodges are present as well as a few items relating to the women’s auxiliary, Eastern Star.
Series 2: Manufacturers of Masonic Regalia and Supplies ca. 1890-1915. The elaborate rituals of Freemasonry required a variety of costumes and implements. Several companies supplied
these and their catalogues are included in this series. The day-to-day functioning of lodges also
required a variety of forms specially printed for their use.
Series 3: Publications ca. 1795-1922. This series includes examples of Masonic periodicals,
booklets, and articles. Two of these are in support of the Anti-Masonic viewpoint and date from
around 1830. Also included are cipher books used in Masonic rituals and an English catalogue of
books on Freemasonry.
Series 4: General Subjects ca: 1880-1930. Masonic associations, homes, images, stock certificates, applications, social gatherings, badges, coins, and ribbons are included in this series.
CONTAINER LIST
Series 1: Lodges, Commanderies and Temples ca. 1800-1945
Box
1
Folder
1
2
Enterprise Lodge
Salem, AR
Al Malaikah Temple
Los Angeles, CA
Colorado Commandery
Denver, CO
Greely Commandery
Greely, CO
Evergreen Lodge
Hartford (?) CN
Hartford Lodge
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
3
4
5
6
7
8
Hartford, CN
Grand Chapter
Royal Arch Masons
Hartford, CN
Pythagoras Chapter
Royal Arch Masons
Hartford, CN
New Haven Commandery
New Haven, CN
Knights Templar of Connecticut
Waterbury, CN
Seneca Lodge
Wolcottville, CN
Franklin Lodge
Georgetown, DE
Almas Temple
Washington, DC
Temple of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree
Washington, DC
Adoniram Council, Royal and Select Masters
Washington, DC
Angola Lodge
Angola, IN
Royal Arch Masons
Fort Wayne, IN
Iowa City Lodge
Iowa City , IA
Alpha No. 1
Jackson, KY
Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Proceedings 1866
New Orleans, LA
St. John’s Commandery
Bangor, ME
Columbian Lodge
Casco, ME
Kora Temple
Lewiston. ME
Aroostook Chapter
Houlton, ME
Pine Tree Lodge
Matawaumkeag, ME
Maine Masonic Directory 1908-1909
(all lodges listed)
Grand Lodge of Maine
Portland, ME
Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
State of Maine
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
9
10
11
12
Proceedings 1893
Grand Lodge of Maryland
(Constitution of, 1823)
Baltimore, MD
Grand Commandery of Knights Templar
Boston, MA
Hayden Lodge
Brookfield, MA
Sautucket Lodge
East Bridgewater, MA
Lodge of Research
Leicester, MA
Bethany,Lodge
Merrimac, MA
Washington Lodge
Roxbury, MA
Quaboag Lodge
Warren, MA
Detroit Commandery
Detroit, MI
Prairie Lodge
Jackson, MN
Plymouth Lodge
Minneapolis, MN
Zion Commandery
Minneapolis, MN
Ararat Temple
Kansas City, MO
Grand Lodge of Missouri
Otterville, MO
Grover Lodge
No location, MO
Tangier Temple
Omaha, NE
Eureka Lodge
Concord, NH
Grand Lodge of New Hampshire
Concord, NH
Mount Horeb Commandery
Concord, NH
Bible Lodge
Goffstown, NH
Trinity Commandery
Manchester, NH
Washington Lodge
Manchester, NH
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
13
14
15
16
17
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3
18
St. George Commandery
Nashua, NH
Advance Lodge
Astoria, NJ
Odo de St. Amand Commandery
Morristown, NJ
Kane Council Royal and Select Masters
Newark, NJ
Trenton Lodge
Trenton, NJ
Ancient City Lodge
Albany, NY
Capitol City Chapter, Royal Arch
Albany, NY
Cyprus Temple
Albany, NY
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Valley of Albany (several lodges)
Ella Nicholson Chapter
Order Eastern Star, By-laws
Albany, NY
Ineffable and Sublime
Grand Lodge of Perfection
Albany, NY
Grand Council, Princes of Jerusalem
Albany, NY
Temple Commandery
Albany, NY
Albany and Rensselaer, NY
Masonic Directory 1899 and 1930
Masonic Temple
Bath, NY
Croton Lodge
Brewster, NY
Washington Lodge
Buffalo, NY
Hamilton Lodge
Canajoharie, NY
Senate Lodge
Glens Falls
Cataract Lodge, no location, NY
Rising Sun Lodge, Royal Arch Masons
No Location, NY
Gloversville Lodge
Gloversville, NY
Cayadutta Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Gloversville, NY
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Gloversville Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Gloversville, NY
Oneonta Lodge
Johnstown, NY
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Supreme Council Northern Jurisdiction
New York City
Advance Lodge, By-laws 1884
New York City
Columbian Commandery
New York City
Darcy Chapter, Master Masons
New York City
Empire City Lodge
New York City
Grand Chapter of the State of New York
Royal Arch Masons
New York City
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
New York, NY
Hope Lodge
New York, NY
Ionic Lodge
New York , NY
Lodge of Perfection
New York, NY
Mecca Temple
New York, NY
Metropolitan Lodge
New York, NY
Prince of Orange Lodge
New York, NY
St. John’s Grand Lodge,
Constitution of, 1854
New York,NY
Constellation Lodge
Perry, NY
Onandaga Lodge
Syracuse, NY
Apollo Commandery
Troy, NY
Bloss Council, Royal and Select Masons
Troy, NY
Oriental Temple
Troy. NY
Cassel Lodge
Casselton, ND
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
26
27
28
29
30
1
31
Pythagorean Lodge
Akron, OH
Holyrood Commandery
Cleveland, OH
Clinton Commandery
Mt. Vernon, OH
Erie County Masonic Calendar,1906
(several lodges and Commanderies)
Toledo Commandery
Toledo, OH
Toledo Lodge
Toledo, OH
Grand Council Royal and
Select Masters of Ohio
Constitution ca. 1883
Poteau lodge
Poteau, OK
Jaffa Temple
Altoona, PA
St. John’s Lodge, By-laws, 1862
Carlisle, PA
Dushore Lodge
Dushore, PA
George W. Bartram Lodge
Media, PA
Tyura Lodge
Petersburg, PA
Ascalon Commandery
Pittsburgh, PA
Colonial Lodge
Philadelphia, PA
Prince Hall Affiliation
Commanderies
Philadelphia, PA
Rising Star Lodge
Philadelphia, PA
St. John’s Lodge
Philadelphia, PA
University Lodge
Philadelphia, PA
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania
Order of the Eastern Star
Peace Session, 1945
Scranton, PA
Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
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33
1
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3
34
35
36
2
1
2
3
4
Charleston, SC
Corinthian Lodge
Waco, TX
Granite lodge
Barre, VT
Burlington Lodge
Burlington, VT
Vermont Commandery
Windsor, VT
Windsor Lodge of Perfection
Windsor, VT
Alexandria Washington Lodge
Alexandria, VA
Good Samaritan Lodge
Clinton, WV
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
Platteville, WI
Grand Commandery of West Virginia
Martinsburg, WV
Grand Lodge of West Virginia
Martinsburg, WV
District Grand Lodge of Northern China
Shanghai, China
St. Andrew’s Grand Chapter in Belgium
(Lodge in exile, 1917)
London, England
Lodges, location unknown
Series 2: Manufacturers of Masonic Regalia and Supplies ca. 1890-1915.
Armstrong, E.A., Manufacturing Company
Chicago, IL
Boston Regalia Company
Boston, MA
Braxmar, C.G., Company
New York , NY
Cincinnati Regalia Company
Cincinnati, OH
De Moulin Brothers and Company
Greenville, IL
Greis, Henry and Company
Brooklyn, NY
Henderson-Ames Company
Kalamazoo, MI
Hersey, Benjamin A.
Boston, MA
Horstmann, William H.
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
5
2
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map
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6
drwr.17
fldr. 4
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10
11
12
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18
19
o/s 130
3
20
21
Philadelphia, PA
Ihling Brothers and Everhard
Kalamazoo, MI
Leans, Martin
Philadelphia, PA
Lilley, M.C., and Company
Columbus, OH
Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company
New York, NY
Pettibone Manufacturing Company
Cincinnati, OH
Pitkin, Mrs. Lorraine J.
Chicago, IL
Redding & Company
New York, NY
Schuyler, Hartley and Graham
New York, NY
Rall, J.F.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Raymond, W.A.
New York, NY
Ward, C.E. Company
New London, OH
Widmer, Frederick T.
Philadelphia, PA
Wilson, J.H.
Philadelphia, PA
Series 3: Publications ca. 1795-1922
“Aid to Memory” cipher books
Committee Members’ Papers, Board of General Activities
New York, n.d.
Compass, Star, and Vidette
October and November,1891
Figaro (New York) original
June 7, 1870
Figaro (New York) copy
June 7, 1870
Freemason’s Monthly Magazine
May 1, 1849
Freemason’s Monitor (circulars)
History of Cryptic Masonry in Arkansas
Fay Hempstead, Grand Recorder
Little Rock, 1922
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
22
23
24
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6
2
24
25
26
27
28
29
3
1
Kentucky Freemason
June, 1877
Masonic Chronicle
April, 1888
Letters on Masonry Addressed to William Stone, Esq.
John Quincy Adams, 1832 (anti-Masonic)
Letters on Masonry Addressed to the Followers of Christ
Henry Jones, 1829 (anti-Masonic)
Masonic Journal (circulars)
Masonic Library
Vol. II, Number 1,1855
Masonic Monthly
Loose page, October,1914
Masonic Review
Loose pages, November, 1904
Masonic Review
August 1, 1916
Masonic Signet
Correspondence, 1850s
Mystic Light Magazine
letter and circulars, 1911
New Age
Letter, 1904
Rough Ashler
Circular
Sentimental and Masonic Magazine
January to June, 1795
Voice of Masonry
Advertisement
News articles regarding discovery of Masonic trowel by Mr. Warshaw, n.d.
Marks and Company Booksellers
London,. England
Catalogue of books on or relating to Freemasonry, n.d.
Publishers of Masonic books, music, and rituals
(see also “Macoy” in Series 2)
Series 4:General Subjects ca.
MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS
Knights Templars and Masonic
Mutual Aid Association
Cincinnati, OH
Masonic Assurance Society
Atlanta, GA
Masonic Mutual Benefit Association of Western Michigan
Grand Rapids. MI
Masonic Sanatorium League
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270
2
3
4
3
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6
6
7
8
6
9
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Constitution of, 1903
New York, NY
Masonic Veteran’s Association
Philadelphia, PA
National Masonic Research Society
Anamosa, IA
U.S. Masonic Benevolent Association
Council bluffs, IA
MASONIC HOMES
Eastern Star Home
Barnardsville, NJ
Masonic Home of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Masonic Home
Utica, NY
Masonic Homes
Elizabethtown, PA
Masonic Images
Masonic stock Certificates
Masonic membership applications
National gatherings, Knights Templar
Masonic song “We Meet Upon the Level”, handwritten, n.d.
Masonic parties, balls and celebrations
Masonic badges and coins
Masonic ribbons
For additional information, contact the Archives Center at [email protected] or 202-633-3270