Instituted April 6, 1859
A Brief History
| White Plains Lodge
No. 473 Instituted April 6, 1859
A Brief History
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Although White Plains Lodge No.473, F. & A.M., was granted a
Dispensation by the Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., of the State of New York on
April 6, 1859 and held its first meeting under Charter on June 30, 1859,
we know that there was Masonic activity in White Plains long prior to
that date. On December 22, 1799, Grand Lodge granted to Huguenot Lodge
No. 46 a Dispensation allowing for alternate meetings in Eastchester and
White Plains, because of the "great distances" to be traveled by
members. Dear Sirs: I have
the pleasure to inform you that the Grand Lodge convened an extra last
evening respecting the arrangement to take place on account of the death
of our illustrious Brother, George Washington. I took the opportunity of
moving on your petition to hold your Lodge alternately at Eastchester
and White Plains, and have the pleasure to inform you that the prayer of
the petition was granted unanimously. It will be communicated to you
officially by the earliest opportunity. Remember me to all of our
friends and to your good family. The Lodge, accordingly, met at White Plains, at the house of Brother Joseph Hatfield every alternate meeting night. Official notice of the death of General Washington was not received by the Lodge until February 10th, 1800, when it was resolved to meet at White Plains on the 22nd, to pay honor to the memory of him who had done so much for the cause of his country. Brother David Rogers was requested to prepare and deliver an oration on that day at the Court House. Invitations were then forwarded to all the other Lodges, and, on the day appointed, the combined Brethren and others met at the home of Captain Hatfield, and proceeded to the Court House. The White Plains meetings were discontinued in 1802 and the Lodge held its meetings in Eastchester only. Solomon's Lodge No. 196 was chartered and held its communications in White Plains until 1812, when it was removed to Tarrytown. From then until 1852, there is no record of Masonry in White Plains. In that year a petition was presented to Grand Lodge asking for a charter for White Plains Lodge. Favorable consideration was recommended by Armour Lodge No. 186 of Port Chester. However, some of the petitioners were dissatisfied with the name and asked that it be changed to Oriental Lodge. With the concurrence of Armour Lodge, a new petition was presented in January, 1853. For some unknown reason, the charter was endorsed Ionic. Little is known of Ionic Lodge, except that meetings were held on February 1 and 15 and March 1 and 15 of 1853 and that two members were elected and initiated. In 1859, a petition, with the concurrence of Solomon's Lodge No. 196, was presented to Grand Lodge and granted for a new White Plains Lodge. By dispensation dated June 16th, 1859, Past Worshipful Brother Daniel Sickels was duly authorized to constitute "in due form" White Plains Lodge, No. 473, Free and Accepted Masons, and on June 30th, A.D. 1859, A.L. 5859, the Charter of White Plains Lodge No. 473 of Free and Accepted Masons was duly granted. During the first seven or eight years of its existence, the meetings of the Lodge were held in the upper story of the brick building known as "Mogers Hall." It was the first structure of brick in the village, the materials being brought from Tarrytown by oxen. The ground floor was used as a black-smith shop, and later a grocery.
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N. M. Moger Choice Family Groceries on Railroad Avenue
(Main Street)
Home to White Plains Lodge 1859 - 1867
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In 1867 White Plains Lodge moved to the Gibson Building, where they
suffered their first fire loss. The flames struck one summer day in
1880. Commencing in a tin shop in the rear, it spread to the three story
building. Standing on the northeast corner of Railroad and Lexington
Avenues, there was danger that the whole village would become engulfed,
so all able-bodied men came to fight the fire. Departments from Mount
Vernon and Port Chester arrived to help as well. Eventually, they
conquered the flames. But a newspaper account noted that "Mrs. Pink, who
lived nearby was considerably frightened and had several hysteric fits."
The newly renovated Masonic rooms on the third floor were badly damaged
and much furniture lost.
Interior of Lodge 473's home at the Gibson Building
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The Mead Building - after the tragic fire of 1907
Home to White Plains Lodge 1904 - 1907
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The 1,000th Stated Communication of White Plains Lodge was held on June
17, 1908, at which time a motion was made and carried to buy property on
Martine Avenue at a cost of $3,000 and to contract for the erection of
what is the present Temple, at a cost of $10,675. The cornerstone
for the Masonic Temple, located on the south side of Martine Avenue, was
laid on October 24, 1908. Judge Tompkins delivered the main address. The
first meeting in this new Temple was the 57th Special Communication held
on March 17, 1909 at 7:00 pm to confer the First Section of the Third
Degree. The Lodge at that time had 225 members.
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Above: Cornerstone-Laying Ceremonies at the Masonic Temple
- October 24, 1908
Home to White Plains Lodge 1908-Present
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Those who think attendance is a
problem peculiar to this era will be interested to learn that Worshipful
Master William H. Carpenter in 1911 sent a message with one of his
notices asking whether or not the fault for low attendance lay with the
Lodge or with the members. He stated, "If ours, come around and tell us
what the trouble is, and the officers will gladly do all within their
power to remedy it. If yours, the remedy is in your own hands. Come out
and rectify it." On March 11, 1925, the mortgage was burned, and with a membership of 670, the Masonic Temple was now owned free and clear. White Plains Lodge celebrated its 100th Anniversary on April 15, 1959, and celebrates its 150th Anniversary on April 15, 2009. |
