National Republican., 1883-02-23
A MASONIC CENTENNIAL.

The first lodge of MasOns in Alexandra
was organized in 1852, when Robert Adam,
Michael Ryan. William Shuetcr, ST., John
Allison, Peter Dow, and DIR. Eli iha Cullen
iDick presented their petition for dispense.
ltiOn to form to the grand lodge of Pennsyl.
Vana, then acting under a charter from Great
Britain Robert Adam was proposed u, the
worshipful master of this new lodge but the
grand lodge oil Pennsylvania having learn
that Brother Adam had acquired his ltnowl.
edge Of masonry clandestinoly, declined 80
grant the charter, and IL was not
until the third Of February, 1855, a little
over 100 years ago, that the
Grand lodge Of Pennsylvania finally granted
tho dispensation, Brother Adam having in
the meantime passed through the neCes any
stops
Alexandria Washington lodge was aTtorwari
worked under a dispCnsa,ion from the Grand
lodge Of Virginia, OF which the then governor
of the state, Edmund Randolph, was grand
master
After tho death of Gen. Washington tn,
name of the lodge was changed by special dis.
pcnsatiOn from Alexandria lodge, No. o. to-
Alexandria Washington lodge, No. -, and
it was this same lodge that laid, with ma
sonic ceremonies, the cornerstone Of the pres
ent Capitol building in this city in 1893 Gen.
Washington conducting them US wUrshpful
master.
1t has met at various places since its exist,
enCe. First, in 1888, Mt the Lamb tavern in
l7o5 ut John Niso's tavern, Mt corner OF
Cameron and Fairfax streets, known also rs
Tenncsson's hotel, and in ls02 on its present
site on market square, southwest corner
Cameron aud Fairfax streets, in the rooms
of the common council chamber. 1t was
here in 1924 that the lodge received the
illustrious general and brother Mason
Lafayette. This entire block was de,
stfOyed by fire in 1871, but most of tn,
furniture and much priced relics OF
anquity were saved The present temple l.
in, and forms a part OF, the extensive market
house, and was erected upon the precise spo,
Of the old aud historic lodge rooms IN l57i
when it was dedicated by 4. W. Il. NJ. William
II. Lambert who was present also at thi
lodge meeting last night, and to whom "a,
master paid high tribute during the dc
livery Of his Grafton. Tho ground upuI
which the temple Is erected was donated b,
aMr. Ramsey, OF Alexandria.
INTERESTING RELICS.
There Is much that must necessarily inter
est members of the "Cut" ia this mdrl
room, 1t Is u spacious aud lofty apartment
As one enters, on the right appears the lifo
size oil painting OF Gen Lafayette wcarinj
the apron ola knight Iumplar, while At ,hS
other righ, hand corner Is "A similar portrait o
Washington wearing the apron of u liOya
Arch Mason Between these two picture,
aud over the chair OF tho junior warden Ia q
small oil portrait uf David Hume. commits
sion merchant Of Alexandria, Va, who WA
the junior warden VI Alexandria Washington
lodge, ard will doubtless be remembered by
many Mashugtouians rs having been killed
by a man named Lee in this city while nj
tending u leype of Pr. sident Franklin Piarol
in the month Of February 1857. The chaiI
also occupied by Gen, Mashiu JtOn rs worship,
ful master is here aud is used by the prcsoul
master Of the lodge. In a glass casl
Gmon' other relics are the gove
and apron Of Washington which ho wore dua
ing 1T undauce at the lodge meetings, thl
apron being the haudwork of Mrs. Gen. La
taycttc.
Upon the east wall Of the lodge room hand
smaller oil portrait Of Gen. WashingtoIi
which Is the last likeness eYer painted oi tli'
illuatrlUus first president OF tue United stated
SERVICES DuEISa THE DAY.
The centennial anniversary OF Aloxandrii
Washington lodge was celebrated yesterday u
manner worthy tho day and thc occaSioil
Alexandria Washington and Andrew Jncl.soi
lodges, with many visiting AIafoui frod
Washington, Baltimore, aud the su.r1und
ing country. assembled at the Aasond
temple AZ 10 O'clock a, m. Mr. Looa