Tompkins Memorial Chapel

Tompkins Memorial Chapel

Jul 1, 2026 | Famous Freemasons, Masonic Education, Masonic History, Masonic Travel

MASONIC HISTORY

A Postcard Memory of the 1911 Tompkins Chapel Dedication

It was a momentous occasion, an event drawing brethren from all four corners of the Empire State. “Three special trains brought Masons from New York and Albany… to participate, with about three thousand other members of the Craft,” reported the New York Tribune.

On Sunday, June 25, 1911, with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, brotherhood was on full display as the Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel was formally dedicated on the Masonic Home campus in Utica, New York. More than seventy Grand Lodge officers were in attendance, including Most Worshipful Robert J. Kenworthy, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, who delivered a stirring address honoring the life and legacy of Daniel D. Tompkins.

Tompkins (1774–1825) served as Governor of New York and later as Vice President of the United States under James Monroe, but he also holds an important place in American Masonic history. A devoted Freemason, Tompkins was elected Grand Master of Masons in New York in 1811, guiding the Craft during a formative period marked by war, civic expansion, and growing public influence. He strongly encouraged Masonic charity and education, helping reinforce the fraternity’s role in early-19th-century civic life, and he presided over cornerstone laying’s and public ceremonies that symbolized the close relationship between Masonry and the young Republic.

The chapel is distinguished by its richly symbolic interior, blending traditional ecclesiastical architecture with unmistakable Masonic character. Its soaring sanctuary is illuminated by memorial stained-glass windows that combine Christian imagery with Masonic allegory, many donated by New York lodges in tribute to Daniel D. Tompkins. Inside, finely crafted woodwork, carved stone details, and a historic pipe organ create both visual warmth and acoustic depth, while decorative fixtures, most notably a zodiac-themed ceiling light honoring contributing lodges, underscore the chapel’s unique role as both sacred space and fraternal monument.
This (below) lovely 1911 Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) documents the occasion from the perspective of either a spectator or participant, offering a rare firsthand visual record of the event. Visible at the far left is the Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel, and centered prominently beyond it stands the Masonic Home at Utica. Even more compelling is the handwritten note on the reverse, which preserves a contemporary account of the day’s experience, adding a personal voice to the image and transforming this postcard from a simple keepsake into a small but vivid historical artifact.

 

June 25, 1911

Dear Mamey,

Your welcome card received. Glad to hear from you. Here is where Arthur [Alden VJ?] spent 5 hrs yesterday. The Temple at this place was dedicated. A large crowd attended 12 from our town. There are 200 children in the home without either parent living.

I can’t tell you all or half the good & splendor of this place. There are a lot of old men & women homeless live there. Come if you can let us know when one of us will meet you at [lyons?]

 

Before the day’s festivities concluded, Grand Master Robert Judson Kenworthy spoke briefly on the theme of Faith, Hope, and Charity, then offered his closing proclamation:

"And now, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Grand Master of the State of New York, I proclaim this chapel, erected to the memory of Daniel D. Tompkins, citizen, patriot, and Mason—open to the use of men and to the honor of the Masonic Orders in the State of New York. We will unite in singing our anthem, My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

By: VW Kyle A. Williams

Assistant Grand Lecture, Grand Lodge of New York (2026-2028).
Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Past Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also serves as Historian.

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Masonic Postcard Pictures

Masonic Postcard Pictures

Jul 1, 2026 | Famous Freemasons, Masonic Education, Masonic History, Masonic Travel

MASONIC HISTORY

Gateway to the Past

Real Picture Post Cards

Pictures are the ultimate gateway to the past. They show us how people dressed and carried themselves, reveal what streets and cities once looked like, and quietly preserve the everyday details time would otherwise erase. More than simple images, they capture customs once practiced, reflect the values of a culture, and offer intimate glimpses into the lives, aspirations, and identities of those who came before us, allowing history to be seen, felt, and understood in a deeply human way.

Before the birth of my daughter, I was an avid nature photographer who enjoyed traveling throughout New York State and across North America, capturing the beauty of wildlife, sweeping landscapes, and the epic scenery painted by the Supreme Architect of the Universe. In time, that passion evolved into collecting historic photographs: tintypes, daguerreotypes, carte de visite, cabinet cards and vintage postcards.

It wasn't until a few years ago that a close friend, Paul Thompson, asked whether I collected RPPCs. Almost instinctively, I replied, "What's that?" He explained that RPPCs, or Real Picture Postcards, are authentic, single-image photographs, not mass-produced, but developed in individual studios or darkrooms and printed as one-of-a-kind pieces. In other words, they are rare images, each a unique moment, preserved typically only once.

And so, I began keeping my eye open for such rare images, and naturally, began to search for New York Masonic photographs. The following three images are of historic buildings located on the Masonic Care Community Campus in Utica, New York.

The first image that I acquired was surprisingly unlabeled, yet immediately, I recognized it as the Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel, a historic Masonic landmark erected and dedicated on June 25, 1911. Although the photograph itself is undated, it is reasonable to speculate that the scene was captured in the early twentieth century, perhaps not long after the chapel's dedication.

Several men appear in the image, quite possibly Freemasons, many wearing the iconic Panama Straw Boater hat, a style that enjoyed widespread popularity during the era. A single woman is also visible, seemingly dressed in a Victorian or early Edwardian day dress, further solidifying the image in its period context. Of particular interest is what appears to be a water fountain at the lower left of the photograph, a small but telling detail that adds depth to the time period.

The Masonic Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital is perhaps the most cherished image in my collection. Its rich color tones, striking clarity, and dignified architecture immediately command the viewer's attention. Though the photograph is undated, its visual character suggests a timeframe in the early to mid-1930s. Opened in 1922, the hospital has long stood as a place of healing and refuge, caring for thousands of Freemasons who served their country during times of war. It remains a powerful testament to the fraternity's standing commitment to charity, service, and brotherhood, both on and off the battlefield.

The final image depicts the Knights Templar Girls' Building, which at one time, was on the grounds of the Masonic Home in Utica, New York. Gifted by the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, the building was erected in 1916 and served as the living quarters for female students on campus. Some rooms accommodated as many as eight beds, and every room was furnished with study bookcases and reading lamps. The walls were adorned with American flags, reflecting both the era's patriotic spirit and the institution's commitment to discipline, education, and moral instruction.

In the lower right corner of the image appears the imprint Kraus Mfg. Co. Further research indicates that the firm Kraus Manufacturing Company, N.Y., which helped mass produce RPPCs, and postcards of the era, operated between 1912 and 1930. After relocating several times within Manhattan, the company ultimately established its final address at 220 West 42nd Street, just two doors down from the famed Hubert's Museum, placing Kraus squarely within New York City's vibrant early-20th-century art and culture scene. With this information, we know exactly where this photograph was developed and sold.

Photographs are timeless keepsakes—silent witnesses to bygone eras, preserving faces, places, and moments that words alone can't fully capture. Take time to examine your Masonic Lodge's images, identify the people and settings, and research the stories behind them. In doing so, you won't just preserve photographs, you'll reclaim the history they were meant to carry forward.

By: VW Kyle A. Williams

Assistant Grand Lecture, Grand Lodge of New York (2026-2028).
Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Past Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also serves as Historian.

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Wallkill Valley Cemetery

Wallkill Valley Cemetery

Feb 24, 2026 | Famous Freemasons, Masonic Education, Masonic History, Masonic Travel

MASONIC HISTORY

Wallkill Valley Cemetery

Walden, New York

Situated a quarter of a mile east of Walden, New York lies the picturesque forty-acre grounds of Wallkill Valley Cemetery. Featuring a prominent setting along Route 52, its location proved ideal from the outset, resting on one of the principal thoroughfares leading to Newburgh and allowing convenient access by way of horse-drawn carriage, later by electric trolley, and eventually by motor-driven vehicles.

The many knolls of the historic grounds offer sweeping views of the Shawangunk Mountains to the West, and the Catskill Mountains to the distant North. Eastward could be traced the Hudson River and the line of Green Mountains with their most commanding summits. To the South, a charming pastoral view of the Wallkill Valley, where situated lie the many dairy farms of Orange County.

The cemetery was incorporated in 1865 under founder James Todd and designed under the auspices of Downing Vaux of New York City. Born in 1856, and named after his father's mentor, Andrew Jackson Downing, Vaux emerged as a notable figure in American landscape and architectural design. His work included projects such as Riverside Drive in Manhattan, Hackley School in Tarrytown, and the stately Wilderstein mansion, home to four generations of the distinguished Suckley family in Rhinebeck.

The cemetery is noted for its connections to local Civil War-era history and prominent regional figures. Among those interred is Charles H. Winfield (1822–1888), a respected lawyer, district attorney, and United States Congressman, who died suddenly after collapsing while addressing a group of children from the pulpit of the Reformed Church in Walden. Also laid to rest at Wallkill Valley Cemetery is Samuel E. Wright (1946–2021), who's recognized for providing the voiceover of Sebastian in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." Today, Wallkill Valley Cemetery is managed by a Superintendent and a Board of Trustees, who oversee the grounds, help raise money for improvements, such as new trees, shrubs, and roadways.

At the time of its establishment, many members of the cemetery’s original board were Freemasons of Wallkill Lodge No. 627, F. & A.M. In the years that followed, the following Masons served with distinction as officers and trustees of the cemetery.

 

  • Brother Thomas W. Bradley (1844-1920), President of the New York Knife Company, President of the Walden National Bank, and a United States Congressman, became a Freemason in 1871, and served as a Trustee of the Cemetery.
  • Brother Albert S. Embler (1870-1941), an attorney, Director of the Wallkill Valley Farmers Association, Secretary of the Walden Board of Education, and President of the Walden Savings Bank, joined Wallkill Lodge in 1899 and served the Cemetery as its Secretary.
  • Brother Irving H. Loughran (1855-1911), an attorney and the Secretary and Director of Walden’s Schrade Cutlery Company, was raised to Master Mason in 1887 and served as Secretary of the Cemetery.
  • Brother Joseph Rowland (1849-1912), Vice President of the New York Knife Company and a Director of the Walden Savings Bank, joined the Craft in 1874 and is likewise recorded as a Trustee of the Cemetery.
  • Brother Hiram B. Wooster (1851-1925), owner and operator of Walden's garment-manufacturing business, the Wooster Manufacturing Company, became a Freemason in 1900 and later served the Cemetery as both Treasurer and Trustee.

Today, Wallkill Valley Cemetery stands as the final resting place of more than forty members of Wallkill Lodge No. 627, their lives and legacies marked by the imposing monuments that rise among its paths. Among them are Brother Alexander Kirk Rider (1820–1893), the accomplished inventor of the historic hot-air engine model, and Brother John Chamber Scofield (1831–1890), who served as President of the Village of Walden in 1880 and later as Director of the Wallkill Valley Railroad. Together, their memorials, like so many others here, quietly testify to the Masonic Lodge's lasting influence on the civic, industrial, and fraternal life of the Wallkill Valley.

To better organize and preserve the legacy of Wallkill Lodge's membership, a virtual cemetery has been established on Find a Grave, with 118 identified members now recorded and memorialized.

I encourage lodge historians, and members alike, to review their membership rolls, to seek out, document, and learn the stories of our Brothers who have gone before us. Every Masonic Lodge possesses a remarkable history, one worthy of discovery, preservation, and pride.

By: W. Bro. Kyle A. Williams

Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Past Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also serves as Historian.

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

1867 to Eternity: Hugh Barkley Bull and the Beginnings of Wallkill Lodge 627

1867 to Eternity: Hugh Barkley Bull and the Beginnings of Wallkill Lodge 627

Jul 28, 2024 | Masonic History

MASONIC HISTORY

1867 to Eternity: Hugh Barkley Bull
and the Beginnings of Wallkill Lodge 627

Earlier this year, I noticed the gravesite monument of W. Bro. Hugh Barkley Bull, located in the Brick Church Cemetery in Montgomery, New York, had fallen into severe disrepair. I had taken it upon myself, as Worshipful Master and Historian of Wallkill Lodge 627, to rally the brethren for a stone-cleaning workshop. Because W. Bro. Bull was initiated, passed, and raised in Goshen Lodge 365, I invited the Goshen brethren, through Worshipful Master Erik Geehern, to collaborate with us on this heartfelt mission. After personally funding all necessary equipment, I scheduled Saturday, July 20, 2024—honoring the 155th year of W. Bull’s passing—for the arduous project.

Few men or Masons ever reach the inconceivable heights of profound distinction. For many, their records, merits, and achievements vanish into history. One such Mason, who was revered and remembered for a life of selfless service, but whose memory is all but lost, is Brother Hugh Barkley Bull. He embodied endless faith in God and devoted selfless service to community; it was said upon his passing that he was “a useful and esteemed citizen” whose “life was distinguished by great usefulness.”

His story begins October 7, 1816, in Crawford, Orange County, New York. His mother was Maria Barkley; his father, David C. Bull, was a descendent of the iconic William Bull, an English immigrant and operative stonemason who built Knox Headquarters, which at one time was used by generals Nathaniel Greene and Horatio Gates during the American Revolution.

Hugh Bull grew up on a well-cultivated, 1,000-acre farm near Bullville, New York. Dozens of workers from nearby villages worked on the many farms, creameries, and distilleries about the hamlet which bears the Bull family name. Bull was afforded many comforts during his childhood, owing to his family’s prosperous stature.

After completing his early education at the local prep school Montgomery Academy, Bull entered the prestigious halls of Union College in Schenectady. Founded on the motto Sous les lois de Minerve nous devenons tous frères (Under the laws of Minerva we all become brothers), Bull immediately was enamored with the deeper meanings in education and he was active in many social circles. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was active in the pipe and song Kappa Alpha fraternity, and was a loyal member of the literary Philomathean Society. Bull also sat on the reputable Senate Committee which, in 1841, welcomed distinguished speaker Benjamin Butler who, twenty years later, would serve as a major general in the Civil War, and then governor of Massachusetts in 1888. Also in 1841, Bull and his class of ’80 graduated from Union College. Many would become accomplished physicians, clergymen, teachers, and lawyers. Bull pursued the latter, and upon removing to Goshen, he began studying law under the Hon. Samuel J. Wilkin, late congressman. After being admitted to the New York State Bar, Bull practiced law in Montgomery, New York.

By 1847, Hugh Bull was an Orange County district attorney and, for many years, served as justice of the peace. During this time, he grew a reputation as a tremendous public speaker, and was known to be thorough in all his vocations. Bull grew so popular in many social circles that in 1851, he was elected to the State Assembly. Although his stint in Albany was only one year, he was active with legislation that supported his Orange County district, including bills concerning banking, insurance, securities, and infrastructure.

Upon his return to Goshen, Bull was met with great accolades and fandom. In 1855, he was requested to speak in Montgomery on the history of the late Orange Hussars who, in 1793, served as the hamlet’s local militia. The following year, he was invited to speak before the Orange County Educational Society, where he praised the importance of teachers, and the significant duties that rest upon them.

He served as the recording secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1859; was president of the Orange County Bible Society; and was secretary and counselor of the Montgomery & Erie Railroad.

In 1866, Bull petitioned for the mysteries of Freemasonry at Goshen Lodge 365, and was initiated during the lodge’s 210th communication on June 18 which drew visitors from Port Jervis, Warwick, Hiram, and Hoffman lodges. Bro. Bull was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft on the following July 2, and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason two weeks later, becoming the 114th member of Goshen Lodge at the age of 49.

With his law office ten miles away in Montgomery, and with his zeal for the fraternity, Bro. Bull approached the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to begin the process of forming a new lodge. On October 10, 1866, Most Worshipful Robert D. Holmes, Grand Master, granted dispensation to the fledgling lodge. A week later, the town of Montgomery was chosen to be its location, and the name Wallkill was selected, chosen mainly because the Wallkill River’s strong current provided employment to thousands in grist mills, factories, and agriculture.

On December 7, five Master Masons, donning white gloves, jewels, and white leather aprons, assembled for Wallkill Lodge’s first regular communication. Those in attendance were:

Worshipful Master Hugh Barkley Bull, raised in Goshen Lodge 365; Senior Warden Constant W. Wadsworth, raised in Hiram Lodge 144; and Junior Warden Robert Young, raised in Columbia Lodge 38. Brothers Henry H. Hallet (Pyatt Lodge 194) and William J. Welsh (Hancock Lodge 552) also were entered onto the rolls.

The first order of business was appointing officers: Constant W. Wadsworth, Treasurer; William J. Welsh, Secretary; Henry H. Hallet, Senior Deacon; Henry H. McElhenny, Junior Deacon; Sidney D. King, Senior Master of Ceremony; Robert Brown, Jr., Junior Master of Ceremony; and Samuel N. Sands, Tiler.

Afterward, a motion was proposed to adopt the by-laws of Goshen Lodge 365 with a few alterations establishing dues at three dollars per year; remunerating the Tiler at one dollar per meeting; and scheduling Regular Communications weekly on Friday evenings.

Eight petitions were read at the first meeting, all proposed and recommended by Bro. Wadsworth. The lodge was then closed in Due and Ancient Form on the Third Degree of Masonry.

The following week, there was confusion in the Craft during the second Regular Communication, testing W. Bro. Bull. During frigid temperatures with five inches of snow accumulated, it was entered in the minutes that “a rascal, commonly called ‘Jack Frost,’” entered the lodge room without permission from the Master, but without proper heating, was allowed to remain under protest for the duration of the meeting.

Wallkill Lodge would confer the Entered Apprentice Degree five times before hosting its first Fellow Craft Degree on February 1, 1867. W. Bull, still a new Worshipful Master, had met some obstacles early on and was a little behind in ritual proficiency. With great regret, he stepped aside and allowed W. Bro. David A. Scott, Master of Hudson River Lodge 309, to confer the degree. Later that night, they would raise four Brothers to the Sublime Degree. The first to be entered onto the rolls of Wallkill Lodge were Theron M. Little (teacher), Daniel C. Carvey (merchant), Gardiner S. Graham (farmer), and Allen Mead (tobacconist). Those who would follow them came from all concerns and employments, including politicians, lawyers, wagon & harness makers, farmers, physicians, firemen, and police officers, among others.

On St. John the Baptist Day 1867, Wallkill Lodge received its charter and was issued number 627. The document was signed by Most Worshipful Stephen H. Johnson, Grand Master, and attested under the seal of Grand Lodge. Right Worshipful Landon S. Straw, District Deputy Grand Master of the Orange, Rockland and Sullivan Masonic District, noted earlier in his official report to Grand Lodge: “I have visited Wallkill Lodge, working under a dispensation, and found them in possession of the Standard Work, and being satisfied their aim is the highest, I cordially and cheerfully recommend that a warrant be granted to them.” This was an iconic and historic moment, full of jubilee for W. Bull and brethren of Wallkill Lodge. The Secretary proudly wrote on the first page of the new visitor book: “1867 to eternity.”

Bull would serve two more years as Master, however, on June 15, 1869, he would preside in the East for the 53rd Regular Communication to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree, but this would be his final meeting.

The following month, after delivering an eloquent and patriotic Fourth of July address, Bull fell ill with extreme bouts of diarrhea, stomach pain, and mind-numbing fevers. He was removed to Port Jervis to recover.

W. Hugh Barkley Bull laid down his Working Tools July 10, 1869 due to typhoid fever. He left behind his loving wife Hannah Jane Decker Bull and fifteen-year-old daughter Maria. Bull was a devout Christian and an elder of Montgomery Presbyterian Church. When news of his passing spread far and wide, members of the local community were utterly devastated.

Two days later, Wallkill Lodge opened a Special Communication where District Deputy Grand Master G. Fred Wiltsie presided. The meeting was short. The lodge was opened on the Third Degree and closed soon thereafter, allowing the brethren to travel by horse and carriage to the home of deceased. After a mournful funeral service, the brethren proceeded to march in a grand procession, escorting the remains of their dear brother to his final resting place. Bull was interred and laid to rest at the Brick Church Cemetery in Montgomery, where that towering 15-foot white granite obelisk stands, marking his eternal honor and legacy.

On August 3, 1869, Wallkill Lodge, under Bro. Henry H. Hallet, acting-Worshipful Master, passed the following resolution:

To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F.&A.M.

Whereas: It hath pleased the Supreme Architect of the Universe to remove from our midst our Brother H.B. Bull, the WM of this Lodge thereby severing another link in the fraternal chain be it

Resolved 1st: That we the Brethren of Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F.&A.M. in our associate capacity deeply deplore the loss we have sustained in his removal from our band. 

Resolved 2nd: That we make this public acknowledgement of our appreciation of his excellent character as a man and Brother Mason and that his sudden removal should be a warning to each one of us and serve to teach us to be prepared to meet in the Grand Lodge above.

Resolved 3rd: That we sincerely mourn with the widow and fatherless in this, their hour of desolation and sorrow, and extend them our heartfelt sympathy and commend them to the care of God, who doeth all things well.

Resolved 4th: That a copy of these resolutions be handed to the family of our deceased Brother and that they be entered in full upon the minutes of the Lodge and also published.

Hugh Barkley Bull was a noble man, full of sound moral principles. He governed his life through the beacon of faith and for his love of the Craft. In 2019, a watercolor painting was privately commissioned and donated to the lodge. Today, it is proudly displayed in the East behind the Secretary’s desk.

That graveside monument restoration on July 20 kicked off at 9 a.m. with a brief talk on the life of Hugh Barkley Bull. Immediately following, I provided thorough instruction on stone-cleaning. Then we began. Approximately ten brothers between both lodges, employing two ladders, ten gallons of water, five gallons of D/2 Biological Solution, numerous soft bristle brushes, and various other cleaning equipment, completed the work by early afternoon.

It was a shining moment for the Orange-Rockland-Sullivan Masonic District as two lodges united to honor a pillar of our shared Masonic history.

Bibliography

Butler, B. F., An Address Delivered Before the Senate of Union College on the 26th July, 1841. C. Van. Benthuysen, 1841.

Catalogue of the Members of the Philomathean Society, Instituted in Union College, 1795, J. & W.H. Riggs, 1847.

A Catalogue of the New-York Alpha of the Phi Beta Kappa; Union College, Riggs, 1852.

Catalogue of the Officers and Students in Union College, 1841, Riggs, 1841.

Davies, H. E., A Compilation of the Laws of the State of New York, Relating Particularly to the City of New York. Banks, Gould & Co., 1855.

Death of Hugh B. Bull, Evening Gazette, July 13, 1869.

Hugh B. Bull, New York Herald, July 15, 1869.

Meeting Minutes, Goshen Lodge No. 365 F. & A.M., Archives.

Meeting Minutes, Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F. & A.M., Archives.

New York Alpha of the Phi Beta Kappa Union College, 1922.

New York State Register, 1847; Being a Supplement to the Register for 1845-6, J. Disturnell, 1847.

A Record of the Members of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and a City and Town Directory, A.H. Kellogg, 1892.

Ruttenber, E., History of the Town of Newburgh. E.M. Ruttenber & Co., 1857.

Ruttenber, E., & Clark, L., History of Orange County New York, Everts & Peck, 1881.

Transactions of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of The State of New York, Holman, 1864.

Wilder, A., The New York Teacher: A Monthly Periodical, Devoted to The Cause of General Education and to the Elevation of the Teachers Profession (4th ed.), James Cruikshank, Publishing Agent, undated.

By W. Bro. Kyle A. Williams

Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also is lodge Historian.

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

The Pride of the Fraternity

The Pride of the Fraternity

Jul 6, 2024 | Masonic History

MASONIC HISTORY

The Pride of the Fraternity

“A distressed, worthy brother and his widow must be comforted and guarded so long as the obligation, which makes us Masons, is cherished and remembered.”

Photo: Masonic Home of Utica

M.W. James Ten Eyck, Grand Master, bellowed those eloquent words on June 7, 1892, during the Grand Lodge of New York’s Annual Communication, and went on to regard the new Masonic Home of Utica as “the Pride of the Fraternity.”

Nearly 181 years ago, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York began the illustrious and monumental project of erecting a home for ailing Masons, their widows, and orphans. In 1842, a building fund was started, with a $1 subscription, and paid at the time by Grand Tiler Greenfield Pote, after the project had been commented on by Grand Secretary James Herring. This dream finally became a reality a year later, on June 8, 1843, when 100 Masons signed a petition for the purpose of founding the asylum.

Committees were formed and, by 1851, a recommendation was made to purchase property in Utica because it was located in the “center of the state,” and would be most central for New York Masons. The site was to be placed on “Utica driving park,” which had been used for State Fairs, and sprawled across 230 acres.

Several audacious fundraisers were launched, specifically in 1887, led by the Ladies Masonic Fair Association. The event held in New York City netted $76,000 and helped contribute to the estimated $175,000 needed to begin building the site. Grand Lodge added a $3 per capita assessment in 1889 to help meet the financial needs for the Masonic Home.

On May 21, 1891, the cornerstone, which was hewn of Quincy granite and weighed 1,750 pounds, was laid by M.W. John W. Vrooman, Grand Master, who wielded a magnificent silver trowel during the compelling ceremonies, as brass bands afterward serenaded throngs of spectators, including 6,734 Masons.

Renaissance architecture was chosen for the design, and the material used consisted of quarry-faced stone, with trimmings of brownstone, and Philadelphia front brick for the upper stories. The woodwork was of oak, ash, and white pine. The main center building was for the administrative offices, while the wings were devoted to rooms for patients. The basement contained two large swimming pools, playrooms for children, and dormitories for the workers. The first story had offices, and staterooms, and the second story provided additional dormitories for resident staff, and children. The third floor offered lavish offices and common rooms, and the fourth story was used as an infirmary, subdivided into five rooms for men, women, boys, girls, and nurses.

The City of Utica graciously contributed $30,000 toward the project, and the cost of the home upon completion was roughly $182,000.

On October 5, 1892, the Masonic Home was dedicated by M.W. Ten Eyck and the site officially was opened. “The doors of the home [have] swung wide with true Masonic hospitality to the Brethren of the Craft and their widows, who have needed a friendly and kindly environment in which to wait for life’s sunset, and to the orphans, who in youth needed the protection of affection and incentive for high living and true citizenship,” exclaimed Ten Eyck. “[May] God grant never to close as long as the human heart beats in sympathy with our Brothers’ woes.” Upwards of 8,524 Masons, donning the white lambskin, proudly marched six miles for a grand parade from Bagg’s Hotel to the new Masonic Home. Dignitaries were on horseback, others in carriages, and George Washington’s Bible illuminated the large procession.

On October 5, 1892, the Masonic Home was dedicated by M.W. Ten Eyck and the site officially was opened. “The doors of the home [have] swung wide with true Masonic hospitality to the Brethren of the Craft and their widows, who have needed a friendly and kindly environment in which to wait for life’s sunset, and to the orphans, who in youth needed the protection of affection and incentive for high living and true citizenship,” exclaimed Ten Eyck. “[May] God grant never to close as long as the human heart beats in sympathy with our Brothers’ woes.” Upwards of 8,524 Masons, donning the white lambskin, proudly marched six miles for a grand parade from Bagg’s Hotel to the new Masonic Home. Dignitaries were on horseback, others in carriages, and George Washington’s Bible illuminated the large procession.

The following year, M.W. Jesse B. Anthony, Past Grand Master, was installed as Superintendent, and the first Mason to be received as a resident was Brother James Borden of Greenwich Lodge 467.

During its early years, the Masonic Home offered large rooms that accommodated from two to six people each. The area also featured impressive reading rooms, a billiard hall, a smoking and lounging room, a sun parlor, and an on-site hospital. The site also included a school for kindergarten through fifth grade, and offered a playground and other amenities for children.

From 1892 to 1911, the site cared for 191 children, 892 adults, and operated with a staff of seventy. Rising hour was 6:30 a.m., and lights out was 10 p.m.

Today, the Masonic Home is named the Masonic Care Community, and is a first-class facility that serves 500 people on a majestic 400-acre campus. The mission continues to “support, nurture, and educate” those in need. The center does this by “providing exceptional care and services with compassion and pride guided by the Masonic Principles of brotherly love, relief, truth, and integrity.”

Interesting Facts: 

  • The site at one time bolstered an impressive farm: 104 cows, seventy-five pigs, sixty sheep, and plenty of chickens.
  • At least twenty-three boys who grew up at the Masonic Home valiantly served their country during World War I. Three were wounded in battle.
  • During the early 1920s, the cost of maintenance averaged $200,000 annually.
  • The Masonic Home once used more than 3,000 tons of coal a year.
  • Fifty barrels of flour were once used per month.
  • Upwards of 25,000 visitors came every year.

Sources: 

Lang, O., History of Freemasonry in the State of New York, Grand Lodge of New York, 1922.

Greene, N., History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925, New York State Masonic Home at Utica, 1925.

Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, 1892.

The Illustrated American, June 13, 1891.

The Masonic Home, The Trustees of the Masonic Home and Asylum Fund, 1911.

By W. Bro. Kyle A. Williams

Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also is lodge Historian.

Samuel Lloyd Kinsey