Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-07
next December, while the Grand Lodge
of Virginia is in session here.
ORIGIN OF THE IDEA.

next December while the Grand Lodge
of Virginia is in session here.
ORIGIN OF THE IDEA.
The idea OF having Il Masonic home
I'm Virginia originated in the Grand Lodge
IN 1883. when a committee was appointed
nv that body TO consider the question
of establishing such an institution Tor
the maintenance of orphans of deceased
Master Masons in good standing In THIS
State. Major a. T.. Courtney was elected
chairman of this committee. which,
having overcome many obstacles, ADVISED
that the Offer Of Captains n. O. Babcock
10 subscribe the sum OF 5000. provided
h that the Grand Lodge should at once
Il take steps TO carry out the PROJECT, should
be accepted The report of this commit
tee was unanimously adopted and the
work OF establishing the home begun.
The plans for the construction of the
home were drawn by Mr.. Charles ii.
Read, Jr. OF this city. who was an in
innate personal friend of the late Cap
tain Babcock. 1t is built OF red brick
in the old Colonial style Of architecture,
and the building, as It now stands, was
designed with special reference 10
the original scheme exploited in the
Grand Lodge in 1883 of starting a nucleus.
which could be added to from time to
time. the demands necessitated and
as the financial condition of the institu-
ton warranted.
1t Is four stories high. exclusive of the
basement, which contains boilers for
steam heating for the entire building,
coal vaults kitchen, Mushroom, drying
room. and other Offices. The first floor is
dedicated 10 the office board-room. ma
irons room, large and small dining
rooms. and class-rooms: the second floor
will be occupied by a very handsome
library: a large lecture-room, which can
be used for chapel. room for matron.
teacher, and dormltories the third and
fourth floors are TO be used for dormi-
tories and hospital. each floor being
furnished with bathrooms and lavatories.
ROOM FOR ONE HUNDRED.
The water supply is bountiful, and the
house is supplied from a huge tank, into
which the water is raised by means of
Windmill. The building contains about
forty rooms, capable of accommodating
comfortably at least leo children. male
Fl ana female Each room is lofty, light, and
airy. The cost of erecting the Home has
been S35,sJ3, or about $1,000 below the
architects estimate. At the present time
the house Is only partially furnished. but
the contract for the complete equipment
OF all The rooms Is shortly 10 be given
OUT ana IL Is estimated that this will
bring up the total cost of the Home 10
SpVv The furniture, which has already
ben bought, Is of quartered oak, and
particularly massive and handsome The
privilege of furnishing the matron's office
was sought by and granted 10 Mr.. Jacobs,
who has contributed a really beautiful
suite OF furniture, complete in all the re-
4 quisite details.
The Home Is surrounded by forty-four
acres OF land, well wooded and particu-
larry rich as to the soil Elaborate de-
h signs have been prepared by Colonel Cut
h shaw for the laying out of the grounds
3 into ornamental and kitchen gardens and
a handsome donation OF shade and fruit
trees, valued at many hundreds OF dol
lars. has been contributed by MIR. A. 1.
Macmath.
CAPTAIN BABcOCK'S LIBERALTTY.
The late Captain Babcock was made the
first president OF the Doard Of Governors.
and continued In that office until he died.
In 1894. His generous gift at the beginning
was followed by other acts when place
his name high I'm the list OF brethren who
have brought honor upon Freemasonry
He gave TO the Home a farm OF "A acres,
near Richmond. which. including the
buildings which stood on IL. was worth
$4,000. To this he added a gift OF $4,000.
10 10 toward paying for suitable struc-
turs which WIS TO cost $4,000. When he
NiSu Ht lSil tue itOiDt dHotH'i tHt-iV
shares OF the stock OF the State Bank of
Vlrginia--vaiued at $1,000. and ended by
making the institution his residuary lega-
tee. The money value OF his donations was
more than $4,000.
The Home was incorporated by the Le-
S!slature January T. 1880. tho declared
OBJECT being TO establish and carry on,
al some place within the State Of Vir-
g.nia. an asylum or home for the widows
and orphans Of Masons. and an infirmary
Tor tbs reception and care Of sick and
AFFLICTED Masons who may be placed In its
charge. The Legislature exempted all the
property Of the Home from city, county.
ana State taxes. Children less than 3 or
more than Is years OF age are not adj
mitted. rOr are those who have sufficient
means for their support, nor those who
are deaf. dumb. or insane. probably be- |
cause such are provided for elsewhere.
Ssa'dren who have one parent living may