Evening star., 1923-11-01
IDEA OF MEMORIAL
! DUE T0GREAT FIRE.
Destruction of Washington
Relics Inspired Masons to
Build Temple.

The magnificent George Washington
Masonic National Memorial. as so
many other great things in history,
is the outgrowth of necessity. 1t is
no single individuals idea 1t was
not conceived in any one brain, pro-
posed by any certain person or
fostered and promoted by any sepa-
rate and distinct group. 1t had its
humble beginnings, went through the
test Of courage and faith, and finally
emerges as one of the outstanding
achievements of mankind and de-
voted brotherhood.
Alexandria Washington Lodge No.
22 at Alexandria, Va, of which our
first President was the first worship
Of relics of this distinguished mem
Der of our craft. The British troops
occupied Alexandria in 1914. but they
respected Masonic property and not
Lodge was disturbed by the redcoats.
But in May, 1871, another invader
who respects no man and no craft
visited Alexandria. A devastating
fire burned the city hall, in which the
Washington relics had been placed
for safekeeping, and with the build
ing consumed at least two dozen
articles of priceless value on account
of their association with the first
President. Among these was the bier
upon which the remains of Washing
ton were borne to the tomb and the
crepe that foated from the door OF
his house to tell the sad news Of his
death.
Temple Burned Down.
The Temple Of Alexandria-W WASH
ington Lodge also was burned down
in this conhagration. The temple was
rebuilt and the Washington relics
placed in It, Only few visitors were
privileged to see the Washington
memorabilia. That was not so much
of denial to visitors in earlier days.
as there were comparatively few who
tourneyed to Alexandria prior to 1896.
But in that year an electric railroad
was completed. connecting Washing
ton with Alexandria. The electric
railway naturally increased the num-
Der Of visitors to Alexandra by the
hundredfold. 1t also brought thou
sands of members Of the Masonic or
der, who reverently asked the privi-
lege of seeing the many articles so
closely associated with George Wash
ington and which were in the custody
of Alexandria Lodge.
So many requests came from visit
ing Masons that on May 1. 1907 after
having been closed to the public for
forty years. the temple was again
thrown open to visitors. with Park
Custis Timbermann in charge Since
then the yearly number of visitors
has gradually increased from 600 to
$4,000. AS the number Of visitors in
creased. the appeals for a f1reproof
structure in which the Washington
heirlooms should be housed also in
creased.
Lawler Takes Interest.
In 1903 Oscar Lawler, past grand
master of California. and at that time
assistant secretary Of the interior.
became deeply interested in the sub
ject. He visited Alexandria on sew
W eral occasions and earnestly besought
the lodge to Issue an appeal to the
fraternity at large for funds to erect
a more imposing structure for the
lodge.
In the meantime there had been so
much discussion of the project that
almost unconsciously the germ Of the
George Washington Masonic National
Memorial came into existence. The
suggestion to create a national or
gantzation to promote the memorial
project met with favor among mem
bers Of the fraternity In Alexandria
and elsewhere. In fact, the Masons
OF the United States became almost
= unit in approval Of the project to
Washing gton the Mason. Fortunately,
one Of the frst to grasp the idea
and fully to comprehend the impor-
tance of the project was Most
!"
ton. at that time Grand Master of
Masons in Virginia, who not only
approved the plan adopted by Wash
tngton Lodge, but strongly recon-
mended 1t to the favorable considers
tton of the other grand masters of
the United States. This Endorsement,
followed by an invitation and appeal
from Alexandria Washington Lodge
produced the desired results, and on
February %, 1910, the. time appoint
ifrh
sentatiyes of as many Grand Lodges
assembled in the Masonic Temple at
Alexandria, prepared to consider the
subject in detail.
On motion the following committee
on organization was appointed:
James d. Richardson, sovereign grand
commander, A. s. S. R., southern
jurisdiction. representing Tennessee,
chairman: Thomas J. Shryock. grand
deputy grand master of Illinois;
Henry Banks, grand master of Geor-
gia; H. H. Ross. representing Yer
mont; Thomas ]. Day. past grand
master of Delaware: John II. Cowles.
grand master of Kentucky; James r.
Johnson. grand master of South Car
olfna: William H. Nichols. represent
ing Texas; J: X. NJ: Norton. r. 8.
Sarrett and c. H. Callahan. advisory
for Lodge No. %. Alexandria, Va.
Favorable Report.
. Alter SeVeTai nOurS or de1beration
the committee reported favorably
upon the whole proposition, submit
ting to the convention certain reso-
lutions and tentative plan of or
ganization. which were approved and
unanimously adopted by the council.
II was the first step in the organiza-
tfon of a movement which would soon
span the continent and embrace with
In Its membership a great majority
OF the grand lodges in America. The
resolutions approved and indorsed
the proposed erection of a. Masonic
temple as a. memorial to George
Washington, under the auspices of
Alexandria-W ashington Lodge. No.
~, A r. and A. NJ" and they pledged
the earnest support of those present
Further, they requested all grand
masters to call the subject to the at
tentiop of the lodges within their
several jurisdictions and urged upon
them hearty cooperation and as
sistance.
Before adjournment a national as
sociation to carry out the memorial
purpose was decided upon and a
meeting to bring about such an or
later. February 22. 1911. also at Alex
andria. Pursuant to this prearranged
plan, representatives from twenty
seven turisdictions assembled there
Most Msst.E s11 with
McChesney presiding. This meeting
decided upon the formation of the
George Washington Masonic Ma
tional Memorial Association. set
and maintain a suitable memorial to
George Washington In the form of
temple; second. ito provide a place
tons, members Of said sna assoeiasion, saissioG.
may perpetuate in imperishable form