The Holly chieftain., 1924-02-21

More than fourteen years ago the sentiment sur
rounding the preservation of these memorabilia
was crystaillzed In the desire for permanent
memorial The movement started by Alex
anuria- washington Lodge 1t was taken up by the
masonic fraternity Of the country and 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 memorf-
nj association until his death. The present presi-
dent Is Louis A. Watres of Pennsylvania. and ].
Claude KEEPER. Washington d. c., is secretary
and treasurer. For this great memorial $40O0,0O0
is being subscribed. This will include an endow-
ment, the interest on which is to provide for up
keep for the centuries to come. There are now
about 100000 Freemasons In the United States,
belonging to 1900 blue lodges
THE edhce will be surrounded by a series Of
tlstcally planted landscapes. 1t will be reached
by broad walks and stone steps ascending through
seven successive terraces.
The edfce will be 1sO feet in width by 2eO feet
in depth and of granite
The very heart ana center of the memorial will
be q great atrium, 20 feet wide and 100 feet Deep
in the arched recess of which will be set the me-
mortal itself, an imposing statue Of George Wash
ington.
This spacious hall will rise to a height of "a
feet. ascending by clerestory above the surround.
ing portion of the building. 1t will be fanked by
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 stately
sixcolumn portico of pure Doric design, contrast
Ing Interestingly with the plain, unbroken side
walls Of the Masonic rooms. The memorial hall
will be reached through the portico by gradual
steCS.
l<sng above the memorial hall and forming a
second story Of the tower will be the George
Washington Masonic Memorial Museum so 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 be devoted
to great Masonic library. Above this will be
covered observation platform The three levels
will be screened by stnte'y 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.
uct replica Of the original room in which George
Washington occupied the chair master 1t will
be located in the Southeast corner of the new me-
mortal building on the ground floor. Even the
wall paper used in the old lodge where
George Washington sat as worshlpful master. be-
ing reelected to the office on st. Johns day. De-
cember 27 1888, will be faithfully reproduced
There will be stntes' memorial room. where
every state in the Union, through Its lodge may
have an exhibit, tablet or some display charac-
terstlc of the Masonry of the state and also of
Washington.
The building will contain many memorabilia In
tmately associated with Washington. One of the
priceless relics, u letter in his own hand, under
date of December %. 1888, from Mt. Vernon re-
veals the deep affection In which he cherished
his brother Masons. The concluding paragraph
reads:
shall always feel pleasure when II may be in
my power to render service to Lodge No. 80 and In
every act of brothc-ly kindness to the members of
IT. being in great truth your afectionate brother.