Stewart Bell Jr. Archives
Handley Regional Library
Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society
P.O. Box 58, Winchester, VA 22604
(540) 662-9041 ext. 17
archives@handleyregional.org
www.handleyregional.org
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.