U.S. Freemasons Invited to Cornerstone Ceremony
George Washington's Mount Vernon and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia and Alexandria - Washington Lodge, No. 22, invite Freemasons throughout the country to witness a historic cornerstone ceremony at George Washington's estate.
The Masonic Cornerstone Ceremony harkens back to the age of stonemasons guilds formed to construct the cathedrals of Europe. Laying the cornerstone of a building central to a community in Europe and North America was once an occasion for celebrations of the effort that had been employed to make the new building possible. Freemasons continue the tradition of checking the stone to ensure it is sound and symbolically consecrating it with representations of health, peace, and prosperity.
Cornerstone Ceremonies are one of the few public exhibitions provided by Freemasons and offer insight to the tenets of the historic organization.
George Washington and the Freemasons
Washington joined Freemasonry in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was 20 years old when he received the first degree of Entered Apprentice on November 4, 1752 and was raised to the third degree of Master Mason in 1753. Beginning in 1778 and for the remainder of his life, Washington was a frequent participant in Masonic ceremonies.