The Dolores star., 1924-02-22

aore than fourteen years ago the sentiment sur
rounding the preservation Of these memorabilia
was crystaliized in the desire for n permanent
memorial. The movement started by Alex
hhdrin-WashingtOn Lodge. 1t was taken up by the
Musonic fraternity OF the country md n national
association known as the George Washington Ma
sonic National Memorial Association. came Into
being. Its frs president Thomas Shyrock.
who had been grand master OF Maryland for thirty
two years. He remained president of the memorl-
al association until his death. The present presi
dent Is Louis A. Watres OF Pennsylvania. and J.
Claude KEEPER Washington d. c.. is secretary
and treasurer. For this great memorial 100000
Is being subscribed. This will include an endow.
ment, the interest which is to provide for up
keep for the centuries to come There now
about 100000 Freemasons in the United States.
belonging to 1900 blue lodges
TIE edIhce will be rounded by n series Of
tlstically planted landscapes. 1t will be reached
by broad walks and stone steps ascending through
seven successive terraces.
The edlhce will be 1870 feet in width by 2sO feet
In depth and OF granite.
The very heart ana center of the memorial will
be u great atrium, 10 feet wide and 100 feet deep
in the arched recess Of which will be set the
mortal Itself an imposing statue Of George Wash
ingon.
This spacious hall will rise to a height of CA
feet ascending by cerestory above the surround.
ing portion of the building 1t will he fanked by
grent Ionic columns 40 feet high and surrounded
by number Of rooms devoted to Masonic inter
ests. On the walls mural paintings, executed by
some Of the most famous artists of the present
day. will be representative of the life of Washing
ton.
The entrance of the building will be a stately
six-column portco Of pure Doric design contrast.
ing Interestingly with :he plain, unbroken side
walls of the Masonic rooms. The memorial halt
will be reached through the portco by gradual
stef,.
air ahn fbp Inp hal and
second story of the tower will be the George
Washington Masonic Memorial Museum 20 by rs
feet with lofty ceiling and fine light 1t will be
reached by both stairs and elevators. The third
level. which is above the museum, will he devoted
to a great Masonic library. Above this will be
covered observation platform. The three levels
will be screened by stately colonnades. and rising
above the main hall each will be smaller than the
level beneath 1t.
There win be Incorporated in the building an ex
act replica of the original room in which George
Washington occupied the chair as master 1t will
be located in the southeast corner Of the new me-
mortal building the ground floor. Even the
wall paper used In the old lodge room where
George Washington sat as worshpful master, he
ing reelected to the Office on st. Johns day. De-
cember p, 1888. will be faithfully reproduced
There will be states memorial room. where
every state In the Union, through Its lodge. may
have exhibit u tablet or some display charac-
teristic of the Masonry of the state md also OF
Washington.
The building will contain many memorabilia in
timately associated with Washington. One of the
priceless relics letter in his own hand under
date of December 2s 1885, from Mt Vernon re-
yeals the deep affection In which he cherished
his brother Masons. The concluding paragraph
reads
shall always feel pleasure when i may be T.
svery act Of brotheriy kindnes. 70 the memneIs o
1t. being in great truth your afectlonate brother