A history of masonry in White Plains
Masonry as an organization in the city of White Plains can trace roots back as far as 1799 when Huguenot Lodge No. 46 which typically met in Eastchester, New York, petitioned the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to have every other meeting night in White Plains due to the long distances that some of their members had to travel to attend their lodge. This request was granted, and they did to until 1802 when the practice was discontinued. And so from its beginning Masonry finds itself in the White Plains area for over 225 years.
In 1812 Solomons Lodge No. 209 was chartered in White Plains and met there until they moved to Tarrytown in the year 1821, where they eventually came to be known as Solomons Lodge No. 196 .
After 1821 there remains a gap of time until 1852 where there is no documented meetings of Masons in White Plains. During 1852 there appears for a short time an Ionic Lodge that meets in the town, but this lodge is short lived.
In 1812 Solomons Lodge No. 209 was chartered in White Plains and met there until they moved to Tarrytown in the year 1821, where they eventually came to be known as Solomons Lodge No. 196 .
After 1821 there remains a gap of time until 1852 where there is no documented meetings of Masons in White Plains. During 1852 there appears for a short time an Ionic Lodge that meets in the town, but this lodge is short lived.
White Plains Lodge is instituted
In 1859 it was recommended to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York by Solomons Lodge No. 196, that a dispensation be granted for a new lodge to be held in White Plains, New York under Master, Hiram P. Rowel to be named "White Plains Lodge". This petition was granted, and a dispensation was issued by the Grand Lodge on April 6, 1859. On April 6, 2024, White Plains Lodge No. 473 celebrated the 165th Anniversary of this historic day and the Grand Lodge of New York visited to rededicate the current lodge and honor the occasion.
At the fist meeting held on April 6, 1859 a motion was made that Wednesday evening of each week be the regular communication meeting for the lodge. The official charter for the lodge was duly granted on June 30, 1859 under a dispensation to Past Worshipful Brother Daniel Sickles. The first occurrence of brothers being made Masons in White Plains Lodge took place on May 11, 1859 with the first two new brothers raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The first dues were collected on a pro-rata basis from the date of institution and were collected on November 30, 1859. And finally, the first election of officers was held on December 21, 1859 for a full slate of unopposed Brothers and so came to a close the first successful year of the existence of White Plains Lodge.
Weekly meetings continued until the involvement of many brothers in The Civil War made this more difficult. On June 12, 1861 the by-laws were amended to designate the first Wednesday of each month as the Stated Communication night for the lodge. By April 6, 1864, the by-laws were again amended to designate the first and third Wednesday of each month as meeting nights, and this has remained in effect since that time with few exceptions.
At the fist meeting held on April 6, 1859 a motion was made that Wednesday evening of each week be the regular communication meeting for the lodge. The official charter for the lodge was duly granted on June 30, 1859 under a dispensation to Past Worshipful Brother Daniel Sickles. The first occurrence of brothers being made Masons in White Plains Lodge took place on May 11, 1859 with the first two new brothers raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The first dues were collected on a pro-rata basis from the date of institution and were collected on November 30, 1859. And finally, the first election of officers was held on December 21, 1859 for a full slate of unopposed Brothers and so came to a close the first successful year of the existence of White Plains Lodge.
Weekly meetings continued until the involvement of many brothers in The Civil War made this more difficult. On June 12, 1861 the by-laws were amended to designate the first Wednesday of each month as the Stated Communication night for the lodge. By April 6, 1864, the by-laws were again amended to designate the first and third Wednesday of each month as meeting nights, and this has remained in effect since that time with few exceptions.
a new and permanent home
The Lodge met in a number of locations in White Plains, including 37 Railroad Avenue (now Main Street), where on February 3, 1907 the stores beneath the lodge room were found to be on fire and the furniture and possessions of the lodge were lost. In 1908 an available lot was identified on Martine Avenue for the building of a permanent Masonic temple and the corner stone was laid on October 24 of that year.
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The corner stone was laid by R:. W:. Robert Judson Kenworthy, Deputy Grand Master, acting under Dispensation for M:.W:. S. Nelson Sawyer, Grand Master of the State of New York. There were approximately 500 in attendance.
On March 17th, 1909, we held our first meeting in our new home, the Masonic Temple, on Martine Avenue. Meetings have continued on the first and third Wednesday of the month from that time to present day. |
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For generations the White Plains Masonic Temple has served as a place of brotherhood, charity, and good will. Today the lodge again finds itself in an amazing period of health and growth as we look forward with possitivity and excitement for all of the amazing years that are to come.
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White Plains Lodge No. 473
Copyright 2024