Grand Lodge, AF & AM, of Virginia

Grand Lodge, AF & AM, of Virginia OUR MISSION is to teach and perpetuate a way of life that promotes the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God and to assist Lodges to grow and prosper.
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The mission of the Grand Lodge of Virginia is to teach and perpetuate a way of life that promotes the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God and to assist Lodges to grow and prosper. OUR VISION is to be the premier organization composed of men of integrity and character, who are honest, true to their word, have a strong belief in God, are devoted to family, charitable in their community, a

nd courteous and helpful to each other. Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization. It is open to men of 18 years old or older of any color, any religion, nationality or social standing, the only requirement is a belief in a Supreme Being. Its body of knowledge and system of ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and Fraternity.

Three Generations of Masonry at Manchester No. 14Manchester No. 14, “The Possum Lodge,” marked a special evening on Wedn...
09/04/2026

Three Generations of Masonry at Manchester No. 14

Manchester No. 14, “The Possum Lodge,” marked a special evening on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as Worshipful Ian Hopkins conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree upon his son, Cain.

Making the occasion even more meaningful, Cain’s grandfather, Brother Geoff Baker, was also in attendance—bringing three generations together for a memorable evening of family, tradition, and Brotherhood.

A proud night for the Hopkins-Baker family and Manchester No. 14.

This video shares the history of the Bible Brother George Washington used when he took his Masonic oath in 1752 at age 2...
09/04/2026

This video shares the history of the Bible Brother George Washington used when he took his Masonic oath in 1752 at age 21.

Watch Video: https://bit.ly/4ykI8ne

REMINDER: Grand Master’s Wreath Laying Ceremony - Douglas MacArthurDate: Saturday, September 5, 2026Time: 10:00 AMLocati...
09/03/2026

REMINDER: Grand Master’s Wreath Laying Ceremony - Douglas MacArthur

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: MacArthur Memorial, 198 Bank St., Norfolk, VA
Attire: Suit & tie (GL Officers, DDGMs, Lodge Officers: Apron/Jewels)

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur’s Masonic experiences, like his military experiences, were quite exceptional. He played an important role in helping Freemasonry in the Philippines and was the key figure in restoring Freemasonry to Japan. Tonight’s program will focus on the General’s Masonic history and briefly summarize his amazing military career of more than a half century.

Douglas MacArthur became a Freemason while serving as Field Marshall of, and Military Advisor to, the Philippine Army. As you might suspect, the General was not an ordinary candidate when, for the second time in the history of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Grand Master Samuel Hawthorn exercised his prerogative to make MacArthur a “Mason at sight.”

On January 17, 1936, in the presence of over six hundred Master Masons, who watched in the breathless silence of a crowded hall, General Douglas MacArthur received the degrees. He was visibly moved throughout the ceremony. The Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred by Past Grand Master Frederick H. Stevens, immediately followed by Past Grand Master Francisco Delgado conferring the Fellowcraft Degree on MacArthur, and then Most Worshipful Samuel Hawthorne raised General MacArthur to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Following the ritual, the Brothers welcomed the prominent American General and, at the same time, paid homage to his father, a respected Brother, General Arthur MacArthur.

After being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, Douglas MacArthur affiliated with Manila Lodge No. 1 and on March 13, 1937, joined the Scottish Rite.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4mH4pWC

Brethren,The Grand Master warmly encourages all of you to join us on Saturday, October 3rd for Masonic Family Day. A ful...
09/02/2026

Brethren,

The Grand Master warmly encourages all of you to join us on Saturday, October 3rd for Masonic Family Day. A full day of fellowship, activities, and celebration has been prepared for our families and friends.

As the day concludes, we will hold a special wreath‑laying ceremony in honor of three of our orphans who passed away at the beginning of World War II.

We sincerely hope you will stand with us on October 3rd as we celebrate, reflect, and strengthen the bonds of our Masonic family.

Watch YouTube: https://bit.ly/4xyZhcR

Save the Date for a Fundraising Gala to support the Grand Lodge of Virginia's Library and Museum. When: Friday, October ...
09/01/2026

Save the Date for a Fundraising Gala to support the Grand Lodge of Virginia's Library and Museum.

When: Friday, October 23rd at 6:00PM

Where: The historic Renaissance Building (former home of the Grand Lodge of Virginia)

Address: 107 West Broad Street, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23220

Event Includes:
•Social and hors d'oeuvres
•Banquet dinner
•Live entertainment by Andy and Oneida (https://bit.ly/4zOBVRW )

Dress: Formal

Tickets are $150 each, with only 200 available.
More details to follow once available.

Formed in 1983, A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research No. 1949 is dedicated to providing further light in Masonry. As ...
08/31/2026

Formed in 1983, A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research No. 1949 is dedicated to providing further light in Masonry. As a research Lodge, no degree work is performed – the focus is on Masonic research and presenting related programs and papers.

Checkout their Website: https://bit.ly/4qLvjQc

Yorktown Victory MonumentThe cornerstone of the monument was laid by "the order of the Ancient Free and accepted Masons"...
08/30/2026

Yorktown Victory Monument

The cornerstone of the monument was laid by "the order of the Ancient Free and accepted Masons" on October 18, 1881.

On October 24, 1781, Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide-de-camp, reached Philadelphia and the Continental Congress with the "glorious" news of the surrender of Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, on October 19th. On Monday, October 29, Congress officially recognized this great victory and by resolution directed: That the United States in Congress assembled, will cause to be erected at York, in Virginia, a marble column, adorned with emblems of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian Majesty; and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of earl Cornwallis to his excellency General Washington, Commander in Chief of the combined forces of America and France; to his excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxilliary troops of his most Christian Majesty in America, and his excellency the Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval army of France in the Chesapeake.

However, no action towards actually building this monument was taken for a century though the congressional resolution was not forgotten. In 1834 the citizens of Yorktown had asked Congress that the monument be erected as specified in 1781 since, as the Congressional committee report indicated, it would emphasize "an event that terminated the struggle of our fathers for liberty and independence" and that "no event in our history is more worthy of commemoration than that which crowned the American revolution with success and triumph." The resulting bill anticipated the purchase of grounds and "a railing" around them.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4qKb19H

EVENT: Grand Master’s Wreath Laying Ceremony - Douglas MacArthurDate: Saturday, September 5, 2026Time: 10:00 AMLocation:...
08/29/2026

EVENT: Grand Master’s Wreath Laying Ceremony - Douglas MacArthur

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: MacArthur Memorial, 198 Bank St., Norfolk, VA
Attire: Suit & tie (GL Officers, DDGMs, Lodge Officers: Apron/Jewels)

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur’s Masonic experiences, like his military experiences, were quite exceptional. He played an important role in helping Freemasonry in the Philippines and was the key figure in restoring Freemasonry to Japan. Tonight’s program will focus on the General’s Masonic history and briefly summarize his amazing military career of more than a half century.

Douglas MacArthur became a Freemason while serving as Field Marshall of, and Military Advisor to, the Philippine Army. As you might suspect, the General was not an ordinary candidate when, for the second time in the history of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Grand Master Samuel Hawthorn exercised his prerogative to make MacArthur a “Mason at sight.”

On January 17, 1936, in the presence of over six hundred Master Masons, who watched in the breathless silence of a crowded hall, General Douglas MacArthur received the degrees. He was visibly moved throughout the ceremony. The Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred by Past Grand Master Frederick H. Stevens, immediately followed by Past Grand Master Francisco Delgado conferring the Fellowcraft Degree on MacArthur, and then Most Worshipful Samuel Hawthorne raised General MacArthur to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Following the ritual, the Brothers welcomed the prominent American General and, at the same time, paid homage to his father, a respected Brother, General Arthur MacArthur.

After being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, Douglas MacArthur affiliated with Manila Lodge No. 1 and on March 13, 1937, joined the Scottish Rite.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4mH4pWC

Does it seem like some people have more hours each day than you do? Do others seem to accomplish more in a day, a week, ...
08/28/2026

Does it seem like some people have more hours each day than you do? Do others seem to accomplish more in a day, a week, or a month than you ever could? Right Worshipful Paul Douglas (Doug) York is one of those people.

Since being raised in Western Branch Lodge No. 189 on March 30, 1998, Right Worshipful Doug has served as Worshipful Master of his Lodge 3 times for 3 years, District Deputy Grand Master for the 34th Masonic District for 1 year, Tiler for Portsmouth Lodge No. 100 and Nansemond Lodge No. 77 for a total of 11 years, District 33 blood coordinator for 16 years, trustee for Portsmouth and Western Branch Lodges for a total of 14 years, and promoter of fraternal relations, and associate guardian for Bethels 28 and 40, IOJD, for a total of 16 years.

Brethren, Brother Doug has managed to fit 61 years of service into 28 years of Masonry.
While you might think that this masonic resume would completely fill all his time – it doesn’t.

Between 1988 and 2001, Brother Doug supported first friends church of Portsmouth by volunteering for eight mission trips to Sandside, Port Maria, Jamaica. Along with bringing Christianity to an area largely unfamiliar with Christian beliefs, the missions were to provide health, safety, and dental aid to the those who could never afford it otherwise.

Aside from his 5-year-old granddaughter, Serena, the joy of his life, the accomplishment of which Brother Doug is most proud is the work he provides for local food pantries. Beginning with Lighthouse Ministries in 2013, Brother Doug works to provide bread, rolls, canned goods, frozen food, fresh fruit, milk, eggs, juice, snacks, grocery store food boxes, and various consumables to families across Hampton Roads through 14 different food pantries, and 1 school. All of which are supported by local churches and missions.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4hU6LlF

Brethren,The Grand Master encourages us to attend one of his upcoming district or lodge visits. He still has several off...
08/27/2026

Brethren,

The Grand Master encourages us to attend one of his upcoming district or lodge visits. He still has several official visits remaining, and each offers a meaningful opportunity to make new friends, reconnect with old acquaintances, and share Masonic knowledge.

He hopes you will join one of these events. The dates are available on the Grand Lodge website. Come out, get acquainted, and help strengthen Freemasonry.

Watch YouTube: https://bit.ly/4xloA1P

Address

4115 Nine Mile Road
Richmond, VA
23223

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+18042223110

Website

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