Back to Past Events
The History of Prince Hall and Early American Freemasons
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Harvard Events and Information Center
Holyoke Center, Arcade Level
1350 Massachusetts Avenue - Cambridge, MA 02138
Mayor E. Denise Simmons spoke on the history of Prince Hall, the founder of African American Freemasonry. Prince Hall, is believed to be one of six African American men named Prince Hall who fought in the American Revolution. In 1775 he and fourteen other free black men joined a Masonic Lodge and in 1787, the first African American Freemason Lodge received its permanent charter and elected Prince Hall as their first Grand Master. Prince Hall Masons have since included Thurgood Marshal, Alex Haley, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. DuBois.
Aimee E. Newell, Senior Curator of Collections at the National Heritage Museum, explored the history of Freemasonry in the early years of Massachusetts. On July 30, 1733, Henry Price (1697-1780) officially brought Freemasonry to America by constituting the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Boston. Over the next century, the fraternity attracted thousands of members including Joseph Warren, Paul Revere and other Massachusetts men. Freemasonry’s emphasis on enhancing and strengthening a man’s character offered opportunities for fellowship, charity, education and leadership in the local community. Newell will trace this history, as well as the continuing legacy of Massachusetts Freemasonry.
The Cambridge Historical Society would like to thank
Harvard University for providing space for our meeting
during the painting and re-interpretation of the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House.
