The Grand Lodge of Freemasons

One of the best things about living in a city is the ability to walk around to check out different structures, buildings, parks, etc. The one that I discovered last year and again last week was the Grand Lodge of the Freemasons on West 23rd Street. When you walk by it, the flag is what one notices, but the building itself has not been memorable to me. You need to enter to see the beauty of the building and the history. There have been at least four American presidents who have been members. Other members are moviestars, senators, writers, theatrical personnel and so many more fascinating people. Of course, there are many who are ordinary people.

When you enter the building, you realize it is the width of a block--it goes from 23rd to 24th Street. A doorman will greet you and there are tours which you can take to see many of its floors. We started on the 19th floor to get a straight line view of the Statue of Liberty. Our tour guide told us that this iconic symbol had many Masons involved in it. The sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the framework of the statue was from Gustave Eiffel, architect of the pedestal, Richard Morris Hunt were Freemasons.

Each floor has extraordinary beauty in its decor. In the American Room there are rows of Windsor back chairs and a big G on the wall. In almost every hall there are two pillars one holds the world and the other the universe. These two worlds represent the goals of the organization of helping community, country, world and universe.

On the 12th floor you will discover the Empire Room that is somber with Roman and Greek motif. At the Hollander Room on the 6th floor, a giant gold sculpture of George Washington in his Mason attire at the head of the table and his image reflected onto the table. On this floor there is one of the most beautiful rooms and the only one with images of woman. I definitely recommend for all to visit this great location.

For me, my misconceptions of the organization were allayed for I had believe that only Protestants were allowed to be members. That is not true, most religions are welcomed. As a matter of fact, when they hold their meetings four sacred books get placed on the center table. Each faith is equal. Our tour guide mentioned that Masons are not allowed to kill another Mason. My first thought was of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Many of our forefathers were Masons, were these two gentlemen Masons? Did they break their own rule? I did research afterwards. Maybe you can tell us what you have found.

There are three topics that cannot be discussed inside these halls, do you know what they are? Please let us know. The rooms are incredibly beautiful and the portraits of many of its past members can be found throughout the building. A jewel in this city.

#grandlodgefreemasonsmasonichall