Timeline of George Washington's Masonic Activities
George Washington joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia at the age of 20 in 1752. His Masonic membership, like the others public titles and duties he performed, was expected from a young man of his social status in colonial Virginia. During the War for Independence, General Washington attended Masonic celebration and religious observances in several states. He also supported Masonic Lodges that formed within army regiments.
At his first inauguration in 1791, President Washington took his oath of office on a Bible from St. John's Lodge in New York. During his two terms, he visited Masons in North and South Carolina and presided over the cornerstone ceremony for the U.S. Capitol in 1793.
In retirement, Washington became charter Master of the newly chartered Alexandria Lodge No. 22, sat for a portrait in his Masonic regalia, and in death, was buried with Masonic honors.
Such was Washington's character, that from almost the day he took his Masonic obligations until his death, he became the same man in private that he was in public. In Masonic terms, he remained "a just and upright Mason" and became a true Master Mason. Washington was, in Masonic terms, a "living stone" who became the cornerstone of American civilization. He remains the milestone others civilizations follow into liberty and equality. He is Freemasonry's "perfect ashlar" upon which countless Master Masons gauge their labors in their own Lodges and in their own communities.
1752
November 4
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4
Initiated as Entered Apprentice
1753
March 3
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4
Passed to Fellow Craft
August 4
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4
Raised to Master Mason
1778
December 28
St. John the Evangelist Day - Marched in Masonic procession
1779
June 24
St. John the Baptist celebration - Marked with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, NY
December 27
St. John the Evangelist Day - Celebrated with American Union Military Lodge at Morristown, NJ
1781
October
Reportedly visited Lodge No. 9 at Yorktown, VA with General Lafayette after defeat of British General Cornwallis
1782
Brothers Watson and Cassoul of Nantes, France present Washington with exquisite silk Masonic apron, acknowledged by letter dated August 10
June 24
St. John the Baptist celebration - Marked with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, NY.
December 27
St. John the Evangelist Day - Celebrated with Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Poughkeepsie, NY
1784
June 24
St. John the Baptist celebration - Marked with Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria, VA
June 24
Made an honorary member of Alexandria Lodge No. 39 (Now Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22) Alexandria, VA
August
Presented a Masonic apron made by Madame de Lafayette to General and Bro. de Lafayette
1785
February 12
Walked in Masonic funeral procession for Bro. William Ramsay at Alexandria, VA
1788
April 28
Named charter Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 when a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia was issued. Unanimously re-elected Master December 20, 1788 for one year.
1789
Elected honorary member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York, NY
April 30
Inaugurated President of the United States using Bible from St. John's Lodge No. 1, New York, NY
1791
April 15
Welcomed by members of St. John's Lodge No. 2, New Bern, NC
May
Received the greetings of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina by General Mordecai Gist, Grand Master, Charleston, SC
1793
September 18
Acting Grand Master - Laid the cornerstone for the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
1794
Sat for William Williams, portraitist, in Masonic regalia at the request of Alexandria Lodge
1797
March 28
Received a Masonic delegation from Alexandria Lodge
1798
April 1
Attended Alexandria Lodge No. 22 Proposed a toast at the banquet that followed
1799
December 18
Buried at Mount Vernon with Masonic rites as well as those of the church, conducted by Alexandria Lodge
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