Recently I uncovered a little-known George Washington Artifact which has existed in Lodge 43 for the past eighty-eight years!
I became aware of this “Masonic Treasure” some ten years ago while forging through the archives of the Masonic Center and came upon a written reference about it. Prior to that, in my first twenty-five years as a Mason in Lodge 43, I had no awareness of it, much less had ever seen it.
It aroused my curiosity immediately, and I set upon an effort to find it, but for the past 10 years to no avail. I had about given up hope of ever finding it when, to my surprise, I recently discovered it had been in full view right under my nose the entire time.
This past November while cleaning out one of the display cases in the Einolf Museum it was discovered laying on the bottom shelf somewhat hidden from view by several Masonic Aprons on the shelf above it.
This George Washington artifact consists of a piece of 4 ½” X 6” white oak with small spike type nails fabricated into the Masonic Square and Compasses and adhered to the wood.
The significance of this item lies in the fact the materials used to create this memento were recovered from the scrap material removed from the last renovations of George Washington’s Water Mill outside of Alexandria, Va. and his Manor Home at Mt. Vernon.
The materials were personally obtained and authenticated by Charles H. Callahan Past Grand Master of Virginia and also who had served as one of the committee members who oversaw the planning and construction of the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.
The description pasted on the back of the memento details the significance of the memento and its historic nature.
Right Worshipful Past Master Callahan had become personally acquainted with Andrew H. Hershey and presented this memento to him in 1938.
Since that time the memento had been kept in one of the Lodge 43 display cases and had been somewhat obscured from view. In addition, there was no written reference displayed with it.
This memento will be prominently identified and displayed in the future displays of Lodge 43 so all may view and appreciate its origin and connection to the father of our country, George Washington.
So Mote It Be…
Nathaniel Gilchrist, Past Master