Recently, a large majority of Lodge 43 historic documents were digitized to enable Lodge 43 to have electronic records on file for archival purposes should something catastrophic happen to the originals.
With the resizing initiatives the Lodge will be undertaking in the immediate future, there have been several questions regarding the age of specific pieces of antique furniture that have been on display in the Einolf Museum, and in use in the Lodge Room.
Unfortunately records regarding most of the furniture items are not available, however, there are some interesting clues that give us somewhat of a timeline.
Following is a picture that was recently digitized reflecting the antique officer chairs donated to Landis Valley, display cabinets now in storage, and the Fellowcraft chairs which have recently been sold to members. Faintly in the background, the George Washington carving, a picture that was taken at the Old Market House. The caption indicates probably around the 1820’s, but I believe it was taken much later.
The antique officer chairs were built by the Fetter brothers of Lancaster in 1810 and 1811 in two different orders. We have handwritten receipt records in our archives of these transactions.
The Fellowcraft chairs, while there are no known receipts, there is a notation in one of the Twenty-Five-year Anniversary books that states in 1871 “chairs were purchased to replace settees and upholstered in blue”. I believe this references the forty-seven Fellowcraft chairs we had for years in Blue Lodge.
The display cases timeline remain unknown, but the picture confirms they were the property of Lodge 43, and were utilized in the Lodge at the Old Market House dating back into the 1800’s
The last item in the picture remains on my bucket list as the Lodge 43 mystery I would love to solve; the George Washington carving. Since 2015 my interest in the history and circumstances surrounding who carved the statue, when it was carved, and how did it find its place in Lodge 43 remain.
I’ve documented and publicized my research, findings, and theories over the years which are available to read on our Lodge 43 website.
What has never been accomplished, ignored if you will, and remains an objective I would most like to see undertaken by the Lodge, is a professional forensic study of the statue.
A study of this nature could accurately pinpoint a timeline of the wood and paint, may pinpoint attributes of techniques specific carvers used, and may uncover evidence of carved initials or an identification of some other means.
I believe the carving is certainly over 200 years old, and I would guess in the 210–215-year-old range. While it has been looked at by many experts over time, mostly by photographs, it has never truly been examined and researched by knowledgeable professionals in this field of study. An initiative I would most like to see accomplished.
The George Washington carving is currently on display as a permanent loan to Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. It is well worth the time to go see this majestic work of art.
The mysteries associated with this unique carving of George Washington continue to be fascinating.
So Mote It Be!
Nathaniel Gilchrist, Past Master
Lodge 43 Historian