315
●
(FRATERNAL.) ELIZABETH MASONIC LODGE.
Archive of material rel-
ative to the Elizabeth, Pennsylvania Masonic Lodge.
Includes: Masonic
paraphernalia, gavel, calipers, t-square, pins etc.; a “Members Register,” identifying by name
the full roster of the lodge; paid membership receipt books, copies of the 1913 and 1919
“Official Proceedings of the 98th and 104th Annual Grand Communication of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Pennsylvania,” plus
a binder containing approximately 40 miscellaneous documents, forms, and correspon-
dence from 1906 through the 1920’s. Includes two wonderful graphite portraits of
founders, not identified (14 x 12
1
⁄
2
inches each).
MUST BE SEEN
.
Pennsylvania, circa 1906-1920’s
[2,000/3,000]
We could not find very much about the Elizabeth Lodge. It was most certainly a Prince Hall
lodge, given that its members were African American, but beyond that, there does not seem to
be an existing lodge with that name today. It is possible that the lodge, serving four small towns
in Allegheny County, might have died off at some point during the Depression. The archive
includes the original manuscript copy of the “Preamble” drawn up by the three founders: Jerry
Smith, George W. Little Sr, and James W. Balch in 1906. There is correspondence from the
Hall of Golden Rule Lodge in Waynesburg, as well as membership certificates for the St
Cyprian Lodge, (all in Pennsylvania). A ring binder contains a number of pieces of correspon-
dence and membership certificates as well as an elaborate “In Memoriam” book for Joseph Bell
of the Elizabeth Lodge. An early piece of correspondence from an Alabama lodge (with an offi-
cial stamp) certifies that one Lonnie Jones is a Mason in good standing.
315
