George Washington the Mason
Washington and Henry Lodge No. 344, A.F. & A.M.
Mechanicsville, Virginia
We are celbrating Washington and Henry Lodge No.344 100th Anniversary in 2023!!!
Just as true Masonry begins in the heart of the Mason, so did the true beginning of Washington and Henry Lodge begin in the hearts and minds of nineteen true Masons living in the Mechanicsville-Atlee community who felt that a Lodge of Freemasons should be established in that vicinity. Much of the credit for establishing this Lodge belongs to Worshipful G. Milton Wright, known affectionately among the Brethren as “Pop” Wright who was the first Worshipful Master of this Lodge. It was in his shop, just across the road from Carneals Store, that the Brethren met to discuss the formation of the new Lodge. It is easy to imagine these Brethren sitting around on upturned boxes, nail kegs, or anything else that was available. At times between calls, Doctor Redd and others would stop in to add their comments and enthusiasm to the group.
On June 12, 1922, the petition for the new Lodge, recommended by Right Worshipful Oscar R. Hord, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 15, was sent to the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Most Worshipful James H. Price, and carried the names of the following Master Masons: G. Milton Wright, C. E. Miller P. E. Wood, Thomas A. Scott, J. Robert Beadles, Robert T. Heath, William A. Keeton, and John H. Smith, all of Northside Lodge No. 292; L. W. Bradley, Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207; I. K. Redd, G. F. Carneal, Lewis Ginter Lodge No. 317; J. H. Arendall, French Lodge No. 270; R. T. Avery, Mann Page Lodge No. 157; J. G. Thomas, Glen Allen Lodge No. 131; W. R. Baber, Amity Lodge No. 76; Charles C. Davis, Day Lodge No. 58; Bert E. Timberlake, Metropolitan Lodge No. 11; Charles H. West, Jr., Richmond Lodge No. 10; J. Thomas Mosby, Temple Lodge No. 9. Their dream became a reality when, on August 18, 1922, the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia granted a dispensation for a Master Masons Lodge to be held in the High School, Atlee, Hanover County.
The first official meeting of Washington and Henry Lodge was held on August 25, 1922. The Worshipful Master, W.C. Tiller, read the dispensation. The following officers were duly installed:
George Milton Wright Worshipful Master
Israel Kay Redd Senior Warden
Charles Edward Miller Junior Warden
The Lodge held eight meetings in 1922 and received two members by affiliation, four initiated and raised to Master Masons, and three more initiated and passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft. During this period the treasury received $253.06, of which $215.00 was fees, and $28.40 dues and $9.66 for special charities.
In 1939 the Lodge began again to try to locate a permanent site on which to build their own Lodge building. The first site agreed upon was at Lee Avenue and Atlee Road in February 1942. However, three years later this action was rescinded, and the Brethren continued to search for a suitable location. After a number of informal meetings the Lodge voted to buy the lot opposite the place of business of T. E. West, Jr. for the sum of $300.00. In 1948, this lot was sold and the site of the present location was purchased.
Twenty-six years after the first meeting, on January 11, 1949, the land for the present location was purchased. On February 14, 1949, bids were opened for the construction of the Lodge building. The final decision for the location and design of the building was determined by its income producing ability. The Lodge felt that it was necessary to lease the first floor and use the second floor for a Lodge hall. On May 18, 1949, a contract was signed with Mr. A. F. Barnette for $17, 500.00 for the construction of the building, however, in laying out the building it was found that the Lodge needed an additional strip at the back, so an additional strip 5.11 feet wide at the back and coming out 115.7 feet to a point, was purchased. This was necessary so that the building could be placed at right angles to Mechanicsville Pike. When theses lots were originally laid out, they were parallel to Atlee Road instead of at right angles to Mechanicsville Pike. A loan for $10,000.00 was obtained from Tri-County Bank to finance the cost of the building. On June 11, 1949, Most Worshipful A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, assisted by the Brethren of Masonic District No. 15, laid the cornerstone of the building. In June of that year, dues were increased from $7.50 to $10.00 per year to begin in 1950. The fees for degrees were increased from $50.00 to $75.00 to begin immediately.
Over the years several additions and modifications have been made to the Lodge building and many loyal Masons have participated in these changes.
