Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternity organization in the world;

…open to all good men of will who believe in a Supreme Being of their choice;

…in upholding the laws of the land;

…in helping each other;

…in improving their communities;

…and in the brotherhood of mankind.

…They donate over $1.5 million a day to support charities in the U.S.

Because Freemasonry is centuries old, scholars cannot agree about precisely when and where it began. An accepted theory is that it reaches back to medieval Europe when the great cathedrals were built. The stonemasons who built these awe-inspiring structures formed craft guilds to help one another and pass their skills on to worthy apprentices.

            In 17th century England, these guilds began accepting men of learning and position. These new members were not stonemasons or even associated with building. As “accepted Masons,” they grew into a separate organization called Free and Accepted Masons, or Freemasonry.

            Today, men of every walk of life belong to the Masons, or “Freemasons.” Both names are used interchangeably. The fraternity’s membership in the United States numbers 2.5 million in 14,000 Lodges where masons meet. New York State has about 100,000 members in over 700 Lodges.

Freemasonry welcomes men from every religious denomination or creed, requiring only that they affirm their belief in a Supreme Being, and that they are of high moral character and are good citizens. Masonic Lodges are non-denominational and non-political. Political and religious discussions are not permitted in Lodges.

            Masonry is no substitute for church or religion. The Fraternity urges its members to practice their own religious beliefs.

If accepted, the process of becoming a mason begins. There are three basic degrees of Masonry:

            Entered Apprentice (First Degree)

            Fellowcraft (Second Degree)

            Master Mason (Third Degree)

which are conferred at meetings over a period of several months.

            The meaningful ceremonies are meaningful and memorable experience with absolutely no embarrassing moments.

A Masonic Lodge usually meets one or two evenings each month to conduct its business, vote on petitions for membership and confer the three degrees. If no degree work is being performed, the meeting may include a program of interest, sometimes open to ladies, and refreshments.

   Good fellowship is an important part of Freemasonry, and life-long friendships often result from Lodge membership.

            A basic teaching of Freemasonry is charity…the tradition of its members helping one another and humankind in general.

            American Masonic Philanthropy provides $1.5 million a day; $1/2 billion a year for charitable causes. This supports scholarships, medical research, hospitals for crippled children, and facilities for those who have speech disorders or mental illness.

            They help people who have serious eye problems and respiratory difficulties, and they provide retirement homes for members, wives and widows.

            The Shrine Masons (Shriners) run the largest network of hospitals for crippled children in the country…and there is never a charge for treatment.

            Masonic volunteers are active in veterans’ hospitals, sponsor summer camps for children, work with the handicapped, and perform many public service activities in their communities.

            In New York State, Freemasons established and support the world-renowned Masonic Medical Research Laboratory at Utica…plus many other activities too numerous to list.

Most are people like you and me who go about our jobs and professions, with no hint that we are Masons, except for the way we live our lives.

            Many are readily recognizable by name, face or accomplishment.

            George Washington and 14 other presidents, 8 Vice Presidents and 35 Supreme Court Justices have been Masons. Other famous Masons include:

            Gene Autry

Beethoven

Simon Bolivar

Ernest Borgnine

General Omar Bradley

Davy Crockett

Henry Ford

Ben Franklin

Garibaldi

Senator John Glenn

Rudyard Kipling

Lafayette

Mozart

General Douglas MacArthur

Arnold Palmer

Norman Vincent Peale

Paul Revere

Roy Rogers

Will Rogers

Red Skelton

John Philip Sousa

Thomas J. Watson

John Wayne

…to name just a few.