Who We Are
A Brief Look at American Heritage in Freemasonry
Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. Operative Masonry started during the Middle Ages in Europe as guilds of skilled builders. These craftsmen built mighty stone cathedrals throughout Europe and beyond. Centuries later as society shifted, so did the demand of building these edifices….. structures made of stone without the use of tools made of metal.
From the end of the 14th century, Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal guilds of stonemasons that regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. Modern Freemasonry or Speculative Masonry takes the working tools used by Operative masons and gives them meaning in the three Masonic degree ceremonies. Each tool uses an allegory to outline Freemasonry’s foundational principles.
Masons or Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, are members of a fraternal organization that believes in brotherhood and helping others. Freemasons are open to all men of good reputation who believe in a supreme being, the immortality of the soul, and a belief in a "Supreme Architect of the Universe". They must also be recommended by other members of their lodge, be of good moral character, and pledge to learn the ways of the fraternity. Masons come from all walks of life and backgrounds….from leaders of industry, government, military, entertainment and various business and civic related organizations.
Famous Freemasons can be found throughout history: George Washington was a Master Mason, and Benjamin Franklin was a founding member of the first Masonic Lodge in America. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford were Masons, as was Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Davy Crockett, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Henry Ford, Paul Robeson, John Wayne and astronaut Buzz Aldrin were also Freemasons.