King Hiram Lodge #53 Free and Accepted Masons Records

1631 THL

Inventory created by Archives Staff 04/1991. Last revised 02/2021.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT:  2.25 linear feet

CREATOR: King Hiram Lodge #53

DATE: 1886-1991

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The King Hiram Lodge #53 Free and Accepted Masons Records collection contains minutes, awards, certificates, articles, and ephemera pertaining to the King Hiram Lodge # 53 Free and Accepted Masons of Winchester, Virginia.  The lodge was located 418 N. Kent Street in 1976. The collection also includes minutes, correspondence, and treasury reports for Apple Blossom Chapter #196 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Winchester, Virginia.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: In 1885 a group of Brethren petitioned the Grand Lodge to establish a Black Masonic Lodge in Winchester, Virginia. On May 17, 1886, a warrant was granted to George Stephenson, R. Page Hall, and Preston S. Smith along with 11 Master Masons to form the King Hiram Lodge # 53. In 1946, the group reorganized and recruited new members from surrounding counties were initiated and welcomed back returning members. They acquired a new headquarters in 1976. The lodge ceased having meetings in 2004, and officially closed in 2014. The last four members of the lodge donated $53,000 to the Fremont Street Nursery in 2014.  Apple Blossom Chapter #196 of the Eastern Star is an women’s auxiliary of the King Hiram Lodge.

RELATED MATERIAL:  Folder, King Hiram Lodge # 53, Box 2, Ellsworth Turner Collection, 204 THL

CITE AS: King Hiram Lodge #53 Free and Accepted Masons Records, 1631 THL, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift.

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1—King Hiram Lodge #53 Records

Awards and Certificates (folder contains the following):

William G. Plummer Award for excellence in Masonic work presented to the King Hiram Lodge #53, Winchester, VA, 1 leaf, printed,
Building Fund Certificate presented to King Hiram Lodge #53,  1 leaf, printed

“The Bee Hive” (Winter, 1989) Vol. 32, No. 1; 1 booklet, 15 pages, printed

M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia F. and A.M., Inc. Presented to Robert L. Cross for a monetary contribution to the MWPHGL of Virginia Charity fund, 1 plaque with a medallion and coin attached

Catalog A—Ihling Bros. Everard Co. (1978); 1 booklet, printed

Centennial Celebration, 1886-1986, 8 leaves 1 leaf, printed (photocopied), 1 item, printed

Closing of Hiram Lodge #53, 2014 (folder contains the following):               
Statement of surviving lodge members on closing of the lodge, August, 2014,
                2 leaves, printed
                Photocopy of gift check to Fremont Street Nursery, August, 2014, 1 leaf,
                printed (photocopy)
                Photo of surviving lodge member and director of Fremont Street Nursery, Sept.
                9, 2014, 1 leaf, printed (photocopy)

History and Origin of the Organization of the Rite of Adoption among Negroes in the United States, 1 item, typescript (framed)

History of King Hiram Lodge #53, by F. Ellsworth Turner, 1972, 8 leaves, typescript

News Articles, unnumbered pages, printed

Services/Programs (folder contains the following):

Program for Recognition Service, Nov. 25, 1983

Program for Lodge of Sorrow, Nov. 6, 1983, 2 items (photocopy)

Testimonial Dinner in honor of Downing Ellsworth Banks (July 28, 1978); 1 program, printed

Testimonial Dinner in honor of John Bruce Cook (June 1, 1979); 1 program, printed

The Festival of St. John The Baptist (June 25, 1978); 1 program (2 copies), printed

Plaque for extraordinary Christian witness (from St. Paul AME Church, 1991)

BOX 1a—King Hiram Lodge #53

Gavel with wooden box, presented to King Hiram Lodge #53 by F. Ellsworth Turner, Sept 23, 1977

BOX 2—Apple Blossom Chapter #196, Order of Eastern Star  

Adoptive Rite Ritual: A Book of Instruction, c. 1868, reprinted 1980, 301 pages, printed

Minutes, correspondence, and treasury reports for Apple Blossom Chapter #196 of the Eastern Star, Winchester, VA from 1971 through 1989. Folders are as follows:

1971-1975

1976-1980

1981-1985

1986-1989

BOX 3—Apple Blossom Chapter #196, Order of Eastern Star

Crown and scepter

Past Matron Award, 19.5cm silver plate awarded to Mary Cross on May 18, 1985

Past Matron Badge – Order of Eastern Star of Virginia

OVERSIZE

MAPCASE 5 DRAWER 6

List of Officers and Members, 1887

OVERSIZE SHELVING

Metal Sign – King Hiram Lodge #53 Free and Accepted Prince Hall Masons, Winchester, Virginia, 1 item.