EVOLUTION OF LODGES IN OUR DISTRICT
R\W\Romulo B. Quesada
Past District Deputies Association 2nd Westchester-Putnam District
The lapse of time had brought great impact on the size of membership in the Fraternity. Some forty years ago, there were over 330,000 Masons at its peak in this grand jurisdiction. Our district had twenty-two (22) lodges as late as 1974, the highest threshold it had attained. It was during this year that Second Westchester-Putnam District started lodge consolidations and the trend continued downhill over the years. Presently, membership in New York hover around 65,000 and our district has eight lodges!
The information that formed the basis of this article was compiled from old records of the Past District Deputies Association of the Second Westchester-Putnam District that languished in file boxes for decades. There is desire to disseminate this lamentable fact to our members, to enlighten the young Masons and refresh the memories of the older members about the evolution of the district
This article dwells primarily on the merger of lodges in our district without delving on the circumstances that surround these changes. It is a mere chronology that culminated to the present number. A little bit of historical background will help understand better the formation the Second Westchester-Putnam District.
Our present Grand Lodge came about through the merger of St. John Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge of New York on December 27, 1850. During that time, Masonic districts were originally numbered. In 1896, the 9th Masonic District comprised of lodges in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. The districts were reorganized in 1903 when all lodges in Westchester and Putnam counties was designated 12thMasonic District.
The district was reconstituted in 1918 and the Second Westchester-Putnam District was born with thirteen lodges under its wing. Nine more lodges were chartered since that time until 1931 bringing the total lodges in the District to twenty-two (22). The complete listing is shown below in the order it was instituted:
Original Lodges After Current District Was Constituted in 1918
2ND WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM DISTRICT
NAME NO.
Year
01 Huguenot 46
1796
02 Croton 368
1855
03 Hiawatha 434
1857
04 White Plains 473
1859
05 Mamaro 653
1867
06 Marble 702
1870
07 Kisco 708
1870
08 Apawamis 800
1890
09 Winyah 866
1908
10 John Stewart 871
1909
11 Pleasantville 886
1910
12 Mt. Masada 902
1912
13 Gramatan 927
1915
14 Hartsdale 1013
1922
15 Orawaupum 1003
1923
16 Larchmont 1030
1924
17 New Rochelle 1033
1924
18 Vernon 1055
1925
19 Siwanoy 1086
1928
20 Harrison 1093
1929
21 Scarsdale 1094
1928
22 Valiant 1113
1931
Past District Deputies Association 2nd Westchester-Putnam District
The lapse of time had brought great impact on the size of membership in the Fraternity. Some forty years ago, there were over 330,000 Masons at its peak in this grand jurisdiction. Our district had twenty-two (22) lodges as late as 1974, the highest threshold it had attained. It was during this year that Second Westchester-Putnam District started lodge consolidations and the trend continued downhill over the years. Presently, membership in New York hover around 65,000 and our district has eight lodges!
The information that formed the basis of this article was compiled from old records of the Past District Deputies Association of the Second Westchester-Putnam District that languished in file boxes for decades. There is desire to disseminate this lamentable fact to our members, to enlighten the young Masons and refresh the memories of the older members about the evolution of the district
This article dwells primarily on the merger of lodges in our district without delving on the circumstances that surround these changes. It is a mere chronology that culminated to the present number. A little bit of historical background will help understand better the formation the Second Westchester-Putnam District.
Our present Grand Lodge came about through the merger of St. John Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge of New York on December 27, 1850. During that time, Masonic districts were originally numbered. In 1896, the 9th Masonic District comprised of lodges in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. The districts were reorganized in 1903 when all lodges in Westchester and Putnam counties was designated 12thMasonic District.
The district was reconstituted in 1918 and the Second Westchester-Putnam District was born with thirteen lodges under its wing. Nine more lodges were chartered since that time until 1931 bringing the total lodges in the District to twenty-two (22). The complete listing is shown below in the order it was instituted:
Original Lodges After Current District Was Constituted in 1918
2ND WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM DISTRICT
NAME NO.
Year
01 Huguenot 46
1796
02 Croton 368
1855
03 Hiawatha 434
1857
04 White Plains 473
1859
05 Mamaro 653
1867
06 Marble 702
1870
07 Kisco 708
1870
08 Apawamis 800
1890
09 Winyah 866
1908
10 John Stewart 871
1909
11 Pleasantville 886
1910
12 Mt. Masada 902
1912
13 Gramatan 927
1915
14 Hartsdale 1013
1922
15 Orawaupum 1003
1923
16 Larchmont 1030
1924
17 New Rochelle 1033
1924
18 Vernon 1055
1925
19 Siwanoy 1086
1928
20 Harrison 1093
1929
21 Scarsdale 1094
1928
22 Valiant 1113
1931
Unexpected Connections
Apparently the fifth oldest lodge in the country (see the snippet on Union Lodge further down the page) has an unexpected connection with White Plains Lodge. Above is a plaque presented by Union Lodge to White Plains Lodge on April 21, 1962. It can be seen behind the inner door in the adjoining room.
Presented to White Plains Lodge #473, APRIL 21, 1962. From Wor. Andrew E. Lowell and Officers of Union Lodge; In Memory of Wor. Harding Smith.
Union Lodge F&AM
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Our peripatetic Junior Deacon has been out and about. Bro. Haight recently visited the fifth oldest lodge in the country, Union Lodge in Nantucket. The lodge was established in 1771.
White Plains Masonic Temple
circa 1920
Our Junior Deacon, Bro. Andrew Haight, managed to obtain a vintage postcard which had this wonderful painting - or, perhaps, upon closer inspection, a colorized photograph - of the temple in its original glory. You will notice that there is no car park or bank on either side of the temple and that it must have been a wonderfully idyllic place to visit.
Below are photos of the original postcard.
Below are photos of the original postcard.
The Andaz Liverpool Street, London
The hotel opened as The Great Eastern in 1884 and was given a Terence 'Habitat' Conran makeover in 2000 after it had fallen into disrepair.The refurb revealed a Greek Masonic Temple hidden behind a fake wall, which is considered one of the grandest Masonic temples of its time. Masons began using it again for meetings when it was uncovered and while it's not open to guests, this ornate room can be hired by the public for events like wedding receptions.