PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AS FREEMASONS

First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen. George

Washington was the first of fourteen Presidents of the United States who have

been Freemasons. Only George Washington was both President and Master of

his Masonic Lodge at the same time.

During Washington's adult life Freemasonry was his constant guide and support.

He became a Mason in the Masonic Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia on August

4, 1753 when he was 21 years old. When Alexandria Lodge, Virginia was

chartered in 1788, George Washington became its Charter Master.

The Lodge at Fredericksburg permits the Bible on which Washington took his

obligations as a Freemason to travel to other Lodge, always with an honor guard.

When Washington was inaugurated the first time as President of the United

States in New York City, April 30, 1789, Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, Grand

Master of Masons in New York administered the oath of office with the President's

hand resting proudly upon the bible from St. John's Masonic Lodge

Acting as Grand Master pro tem of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, on September

19, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capital at Washington,

D.C. He was buried with Masonic ceremonies at Mt. Vernon by Alexandria Lodge

on December 18, 1799.

George Washington was continuously responsive to Freemasonry. As an

example of his deep interest, he wrote to a Masonic Lodge in Rhode Island in

1790. Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the

Masonic Fraternity is founded must be a promotive of private virtue and public

prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society and to

be considered by them as a deserving brother.

In the American history of Masonry, older in years than the Declaration of

Independence and the United States Constitution, no Mason has been more

deserving of the title brother than George Washington.

After George Washington there were other Masonic Presidents.

JAMES MONROE, 5th President, was initiated in Williamsburg Lodge No. 6,

Virginia in 1775.

ANDREW JACKSON, 7th President, was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of

Tennessee in 1822-23.

JAMES K. POLK, 11th President, was a member of Columbia Lodge, South

Carolina. He was also a Knights Templar.

JAMES BUCHANAN, 15th President, was made a Mason in Lancaster,

Pennsylvania, in 1817 and a Royal Arch Mason in 1826.

ANDREW JOHNSON, 17th President, was a member of Greenville Lodge,

Tennessee.

JAMES A. GARFIELD, President, became a member of Columbus Lodge No.

30, Ohio, in 1864, a Knights Templar in 1866, and the Scottish Rite in 1872.

WILLIAM McKINLEY, 25th President, was a member of Hiram Lodge, Winchester,

Virginia, and became a Knights Templar in 1884.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT, 26th President, was made a Mason in Matinecock

Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York, in 1901.

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, 27th President, was made a Mason at sight in

Kilwinning Lodge No. 356, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1901.

WARREN G. HARDING, 28th President, became a Mason in Marion Lodge, Ohio,

in 1920, a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Shrine in 1921.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, 31st President, was made a Mason in Holland

Lodge No. 8, New York City, in 1911, a member of the Scottish Rite in 1929 and

the Shrine in 1930.

HARRY S. TRUMAN, 33rd President, was made a Mason in Belton Lodge, Missouri,

in 1909. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1940 and

received the 33rd degree from the Scottish Rite.

GERALD. FORD, 38th President, is a member of Malta Lodge, Grand Rapids,

Michigan. He received the 33rd degree in 1962.

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