Worthington Memory http://www.worthingtonmemory.org Contributor: Grand Lodge of Ohio Masonic Museum -------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Historic Event' Says Grand Master At Dedication Ceremonies Friday [photograph] [caption] Pictured above is a front view of the new Grand Secretary's headquarters in Worthington, which was dedicated last Fri- day night. Historic old New England lodge is located at the left of the new building and will now become a Ma- sonic museum and shrine, to which all Master Masons of Ohio should visit at some time. Masonic relics from all over the state will be sought and welcomed for the mu- seum. [left column] "Brethren you have just wit- nessed an historic event. Prob- ably never again in this great state of Ohio, will those here see the dedication of the Grand Lodge headquarters." So said Grand Master Frank W. Nicho- las at the completion of cere- monies dedicating the new Grand Lodge headquarters in Worthintgon last Friday night. The Grand Master said the completion of this grand, Grand Headquarters was the culmi- nation of one man's dream. Who this man was is not now known but the need for a Grand head- quarters was first seen 118 years ago and was first pro- posed at Grand Lodge in 1838. A committee was then formed to study the matter and after Lancaster Lodge offered the sum of $5000 to help build it, it was decided to locate it there, even though Columbus was also a strong contender for the honor. Money was pledged, plans were adopted, a site was chosen and stone was hauled to start the building and the corner- stone was formally laid with great ceremony in 1840. But about this time dissen- sion arose, liens against the site were taken, and in spite of the fact that the estimated cost was reduced from $35,000 to $20,000, money could not be raised due to the panic that had swept the country during these years; the project was finally abandoned in 1843 and the lots were sold in 1863 for the sum of $1200- on the installment plan. Origi- nal cost of the lots was $2800. From then on, discussion about a Grand headquarters came up periodically in Grand Lodge, but nothing was done for over 100 years, until 1952, when the then Grand Master, [center column] MW Bro. William Judd pro- posed that a committee be formed to look into the feasibil- ity of erecting a grand head- quarters. After a canvass of various sites by the Grand Lodge com- mittee it was unanimously agreed that it should be located in Worthington, adjacent to old New England lodge. The members of New Eng- land were agreeable to the pro- posal, which provided that Ma- sonic bodies meeting there were to be provided with a new lodge room in the Grand head- quarters for their use in per- petuity. The proposal was approved by the Grand Lodge in Cleve- land in 1954, and work began the following spring. The archi- tecture and design of the new building closely resembles that of New England lodge, which is now to be a Masonic museum for all of Ohio. The two build- ings are connected with a pas- sageway and the old building has been restored as near as possible to the original con- struction in 1820. The new building has dining facilities for over 200 in the basement; the Grand Secre- tary's offices and Grand Lodge library and conference rooms are on the ground floor, and a beautifully appointed lodge room takes up the second floor. The Grand Secretary's offices will be moved from Cincinnati sometime early in 1957, after which time all the business per- taining to his office will be transacted in the new building. Prior to the dedication serv- ices, the officers of New Eng- land lodge were hosts to a din- ner for the officers of the Grand Lodge, Past Grand Masters and other distinguished guests. [right column] A lodge of Master Masons was opened by Wor. Bro. Aaron Hard, Jr., who welcomed a packed lodge room of members and visitors, totaling over 250. The Service Corps of Mt. Ver- non Commandery No. 1, K.T., presented the national colors, which was followed by the presentation by R.W. Edgar L. Ott, DDGM., at the altar of 10 Past Grand Masters of Ohio. They were followed by a num- ber of District Deputy Grand Masters from over the state. The members of the Grand Lodge were then presented and introduced by R.W. Norman J. Baird, DDGM, given grand hon- ors and the dedication of the new building proceeded in due and ancient form. The Grand Master told the as- semblage that the new building had cost $350,000, that it was fully paid for without the Ma- sons of Ohio having been as- sessed any money for its con- struction; that the Grand Lodge also had acquired two lots to the north rear of the building and had hopes eventually of se- curing more land adjacent to the two structures. Wor. Bro. Hard recognized the members of the Grand Lodge building committee, each of whom spoke briefly, and Wor. Bro. Russell Goerke of New England called attention to the fact that New England was the birthplace of a number of other Masonic bodies and that it was very fitting that the Grand headquarters be located on this historic spot. In addition to the officers of New England, there were 20 of its 23 living Past Masters pres- ent and visitors included a good representation of Masters from neighboring lodges. From THE OHIO MASON of October 19, 1956 P. 0. Box 6105, Point Sta, Columbus 23, Ohio