Follow on Google News News By Tag * Freemasonry * American * George Washington * Benjamin Franklin * 18th Century * Books * Costumes * Medals * Jewels * London * More Tags... Industry News News By Place Country(s) Industry News
Follow on Google News | The Patriot Mason: Freemasonry in American SocietyThis new exhibition explores the role of freemasonry in American society from the 18th century, drawing on rarely seen objects, costumes, books and documents, including one of the world's rarest Masonic books, published by Benjamin Franklin in 1734.
By: Library & Museum of Freemasonry In the development of the United States after the American Revolution of 1776, freemasonry and other voluntary societies provided its citizens with opportunities for self improvement, mechanisms for charitable support and a social life. The Masonic lodge provided its members with a sense of fraternity and members of immigrant communities with a sense of identity in their new country. By 1920 more than 10% of American men belonged to a fraternal organisation. In large purpose built lodge buildings across the country, the American flag was proudly displayed and Masonic emblems were widely seen in everyday life from bottles of bourbon to car stickers. Freemasonry arrived in the American colonies in the early 1700s fostered by British immigration and trade. It was as popular amongst leading colonial citizens as it was in London and Paris; 13 of the 39 men who signed the Constitution in 1789 were freemasons including George Washington. Firmly established in the classless, meritocratic United States, American freemasonry developed its own complex system of degrees, reflecting the dual influence of Britain and France. In turn, these degree ‘systems’ were exported back to Europe. Although freemasonry in America was not involved in politics, opposition to freemasonry led to the formation of the first “third party” in the United States. The Anti-Masonic Party was formed in New York in 1828 following the disappearance of New York stonemason William Morgan, who had published a book exposing Masonic rituals. It campaigned against Andrew Jackson, the incumbent Democratic President and freemason in 1832. The Anti-Masonic party introduced important innovations in American politics such as nominating conventions and party manifestos which were a response to the perceived lack of politicians’ The exhibition explores how freemasonry responded to major issues in American society including race, the extension of the frontier, the Civil War and industrialisation. On display will be documents establishing the first Masonic lodge for African Americans in the 1770s. Under its leader, Prince Hall, a freed New England slave, Prince Hall Masonry, as it is now known, has become the major black Masonic organisation in the world. American freemasonry encompassed organisations for all members of the family including wives (the Order of the Eastern Star), children (the Order of DeMolay) as well as charitable institutions such as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, also known as The Grotto. In the twentieth century, the growth of American economic and military power took American freemasonry into new parts of the world and involvement in two world wars led to encounters between freemasons of the old world and the new. Notes to editors: The exhibition title is inspired by the response of John Dove, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in December 1860, regarding the impending war between the states: "The patriot Mason stands appalled, and his heart sinks almost to suffocation when he beholds this majestic edifice scathed and scattered into fragments by the vivid lightning of intemperate zeal..." The American Civil War began 150 years ago in March 1861 when seven states (including Virginia) secede from the Union in response to Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the presidential election of 1860 when he had campaigned against the expansion of slavery beyond the states in which it already existed. Hostilities began on 12 April 1861, when Confederate forces attacked a U.S. military installation at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Exhibition Title: Venue: Exhibition dates: Admission: Opening hours: Curators: Visitor enquiries: Website: End
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
