U.S. State Governments & Grand Lodges
I am attempting to compile all details about United States Grand Lodges and State Governments honoring each other in any way. The only purpose for compiling this information is to make it available to Masons throughout the U.S. so we can all have better knowledge about what other jurisdictions do.
If anyone wants to send me email, especially if any of the information on this chart is not correct or if you know of additional information that should be included, please send me email by clicking on my name Paul M. Bessel.
| Grand Lodge | Examples of State Government & Grand Lodge Honoring Each Other |
|---|---|
| Alabama | |
| Alaska | |
| Arizona | |
| Arkansas | |
| California | |
| Colorado | |
| Connecticut | |
| Delaware | |
| District of Columbia | |
| Florida | |
| Georgia | |
| Hawaii | |
| Idaho | |
| Illinois | |
| Indiana | |
| Iowa | |
| Kansas | |
| Kentucky | Kentucky has had 3 Masonic Days at the State Capital. It is put out as the Govt. honoring us, but truth be known, the Grand Lodge is really running it. We have a program at the Capital and then all Masons are invited to the House and Senate where proclamations are read and approved making the date a day to honor Masonry in KY. This year we had a gathering off site in an arena, where a program was put on by the Grand Lodge. Several Govt. officials who are also Masons gave short talks including our Lt. Gov. who has since become a Mason. |
| Louisiana | |
| Maine | |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | Gov. Paul Cellucci of Massachusetts designated May 6, 2000 as Masonic Chip Day in Massachusetts. It is in recognition the efforts of our Grand Lodge in promoting and conducting the Child Identification Program throughout the state. In this program a 5 minute video of the child is taken answering some questions, a toothprint is taken (which also captures DNA) and fingerprints are take. It is the most comprehensive and positive ID system in the world. We hope and pray that it never needs to be used, but the tools are there if needed. |
| Michigan | |
| Minnesota | |
| Mississippi | |
| Missouri | |
| Montana | From an email message: The Grand Lodge of Montana does and has not taken any formal action to recognize state government on any regular basis. However, this past year on July 3, 1999 the Grand Lodge was requested by the State Capitol Restoration Committee to rededicate the capitol building’s corner stone. The Grand Lodge had originally dedicated or laid the corner stone on July 4, 1899. The Grand Lodge rededicated the corner stone using the standard ritual. The Grand Master gave a short address. Representatives from all the Masonic Family were in attendance. In my capacity as Grand High Priest, I represented the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Chapter of Montana. Pursuant to the Montana Masonic Code each lodge must conduct an “Americanism” program each year. In Montana the legislature meets in Helena biannually in odd number years. When the legislature is in session the Helena area lodges, Helena Lodge #3, Morning Star #5, King Solomon’s #9 and Ottawa #51 have a legislative night. We invite all the members of the legislature to a dinner in their honor. The last two legislative nights in 1997 and 1999 have been expanded to include all elected state officials including the Montana Supreme Court and the local District Court Judges. The nights have been well attended by both the members of the legislature and the craft. During the past two nights in 1997 and 1999 the Grand Master was in attendance. At the dinner in 1999 we had more than 200 in attendance. The Helena Area Lodges use this legislative night to satisfy the Grand Lodge’s requirement for an Americanism program. |
| Nebraska | |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | |
| New York | |
| North Carolina | |
| North Dakota | |
| Ohio | |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | |
| Texas | |
| Utah | |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington | |
| West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin | |
| Wyoming |