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The Scythe
by Bro. Jonathan Siudmak, Junior Warden With October rolling in and Halloween decorations appearing throughout our neighborhoods, it’s a time when many believe the veil between life and death grows thinner. For Freemasons, this time of year offers a perfect opportunity to contemplate one of our Craft’s most profound symbols: the Scythe. Often associated with the Grim Reaper, the […]
The Square and Compasses
by Bro. Rob Swanson, Lodge Education Officer The Square is an interesting tool, not only is it the Jewel of the Master of the Lodge, but it is an important implement. The Square is a symbol of Morality and honesty. It forms a 90-Degree angle which is also known as a right angle. It is […]
Supporting the Temple from Within: Addressing Mental Health as Freemasons
Bro. Jonathan J. Siudmak, Junior Warden Originally presented in at the Stated Communication on May 9, 2024 as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, this topic is always timely and important to the Craft. When was the last time you earnestly answered the question, “How are you?” Equally important, when was the last time you […]
The Multiple Meanings of the Cable-Tow
By Bro. Ron Craft, Senior Deacon The candidate is introduced to the cable-tow while being prepared to receive the degrees in Freemasonry, but to some noteworthy brethren, the symbol was never clearly explained. The cable-tow has an outward meaning, which stems from the degrees of Masonry but is also part of our daily Masonic vernacular. […]
Building Greater Union Through Virtue
Remarks by Wor. Hamilton at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Mount Vernon Serving as Worshipful Master in the Lodge of Washington is truly humbling. As we gather here today to celebrate Illustrious Brother Washington’s 292nd birthday, I am reminded of the two centuries of Masonic ancestors who have completed the same ritual. As in any family, […]
Symbolisms of the Level
By Bro. Adam Smartt, Senior Warden We meet upon the Level, though from every station come, The king from out his palace, and the poor man from his home; For the one must leave his diadem outside the mason’s door, And the other finds his true respect upon the chequered floor […]
Washington and Lafayette: The Impact of a Chosen Family
Installation Remarks by Worshipful Nelo Allen Hamilton, Jr., 162nd Worshipful Master of Alexandria–Washington Lodge No. 22, originally delivered on December 27, 2023 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial: First impressions are the foundation of our perceptions. Fair or not, the initial experience with an organization leaves a lasting impression and impacts engagement. As I […]
Wor. David Bella’s Remarks at Mount Vernon
Each year, our lodge hosts a wreath laying at the tomb of our Illustrious Brother and Past Master, George Washington, on the anniversary of his death on December 14, 1799. We have led this every year, rain or shine, for 224 years. Earlier today, Wor. David Bella gave the following remarks This is the last […]
Giving Tuesday – AW22 Foundation, Inc.
Brethren and Friends, 2023 has been a fantastic year for the Alexandria – Washington Lodge, No. 22, Foundation, Inc. We held our first gala to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday and Virginia hosting the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. Former Governor and Brother Jim Gilmore truly made it a memorable evening with his keynote […]
The Master Mason Tracing Board
The Third Painting by Mavrov is the Master Mason Tracing Board, like the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft it has a Plethora of Symbolic meaning which we shall now investigate. The Trowel Seen in the middle left of Mavro’s work depicted below. No discourse on the Trowel can be had without first noting the iconic George […]
The AW22 Fellowcraft Tracing Board
Written by Bro. Robert Swanson, Lodge Education Officer Last month we took a quick trip through the history & origins of Tracing Boards. We also introduced the three Tracing boards within the Lodge room of Alexandria-Washington 22 and provided a brief summation of the symbols to be found in the Entered Apprentice Tracing board. Let […]
What is a Tracing Board?
Written by Bro. Robert Swanson, Lodge Education Officer The Tracing Board The genesis of the Tracing Board is at the heart of Freemasonry’s humble beginnings. Before our structures and places of meeting became more permanent, lodges would meet in Taverns and other public places. “so it was the practice to draw the lodge on the […]
From the Archives: Witness Account of the 1871 Lodge Fire
From the Archives is a recurring series that highlights Alexandria-Washington Lodge’s archives and museum. Visitors are welcome to visit the museum during the memorial’s operating hours. Written by Chris Ruli, Archives Committee In the early morning of May 19, 1871, the townspeople of Alexandria awoke to the sounds of alarms. A fire erupted inside the […]
From the Archives: Alexandria-Lodge 22 Plans George Washington’s Funeral
From the Archives is a recurring series that highlights Alexandria-Washington’s archives and museum. Visitors are welcome to visit the museum during the memorial’s operating hours. Written by Chris Ruli and Aaron Habibipour December 16 marks the 223rd anniversary of Alexandria Lodge’s meeting to announce the death of George Washington and plan for his funeral service. […]
From the Archives: AW22’s First Bylaws
From the Archives is a recurring series that highlights Alexandria-Washington’s archives and museum. Visitors are welcome to visit the museum during the memorial’s operating hours. Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22’s archives contain over 4,000 items related to the history of Freemasonry in Alexandria, Virginia, George Washington, and American history. One of the most important items in […]
Warden’s Night
by David Bella, Senior Warden From an early age, George Washington recognized the importance of the American South and American West. He knew that they were new frontiers with unlimited possibilities. At the age of sixteen, he was invited to survey the western Virginia lands owned by Thomas, Lord Fairfax. This first exposure sparked a […]
A Call to Charity: Preparing the Lodge for February 2023 and Beyond
By Wor. Nikola N. Nikolov, PM, Foundation Board Chairman In this blog, our Senior Warden Bro. David Bella, has presented a strong argument for your participation in Lodge and supporting our efforts for 2023. I echo his sentiment. Alexandria – Washington Lodge has a storied past, which presents us with a unique platform to represent Craft Freemasonry to […]
Call to Service: Preparing the Lodge for February 2023 and Beyond
By Bro. David Bella, Senior Warden Two hundred and forty years ago, six Alexandrians – Robert Adam, Michael Ryan, William Hunter Sr., John Allison, Peter Dow, and Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick – submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania requesting a warrant to operate a Masonic Lodge in Alexandria. The combined imaginative talent of […]
Freemasonry: A Modern Community Institution
By Bro. David Bella, Senior Warden I watched HBO’s, The Wire, for the first time in 2018. What I loved about the show was its ability to depict the realism of our society. What made the show special was its ability to accurately depict the experiences of the forgotten in our society and demonstrate how […]
AW22 Past Master Series: Daniel Froggett, PM
Wor. Daniel E. Froggett, Master in 2020, is featured in the latest installment of the AW22 Past Master Series. This documentary project highlights and preserves the sage wisdom and fond memories of the men chosen as servant leaders to their brothers at Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. Wor. Froggett currently serves as our Lodge secretary. Thank […]
AW22 Past Master Series: Jim Stone, PM
Worshipful Jim Stone, our Worshipful Master in 1976, is featured in the latest installment of the AW22 Past Master series. This documentary project highlights and preserves the sage wisdom and fond memories of the men chosen as servant leaders to their brothers at Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. We hope you enjoy hearing his stories as […]
Mental Health: Fulfilling Our Obligation by Aiding a Distressed Brother
By Nelo A. Hamilton, Jr., Junior Warden As Freemasons, we are taught to aide those in distress, more especially a brother Mason. When imaging someone in distress, we often think of someone with a broken-down car or an individual approaching us on the street to ask for money. It is important, however, to recognize that […]