Travis Simpkins: A Centennial History of Morning Star Lodge. Worcester, Massachusetts. by Edward S. Nason

A Centennial History of Morning Star Lodge

Worcester, Massachusetts

1793-1893

by Edward S. Nason

Brief Review by Travis Simpkins

As Morning Star Lodge in Worcester, Massachusetts nears it's 225th year, I thought it would be compelling to look back on the long history of the noble institution. I recently found and greatly enjoyed reading a copy of A Centennial History of Morning Star Lodge by Edward S. Nason, which chronicles the first 100 years, from 1793 to 1893. Much has changed since the publication of this book, the most significant development being the construction of the current Masonic Temple in Worcester, a magnificent work of Classic Revival architecture, erected in 1913.

The book begins with an early history of Freemasonry in the colonies and the chartering of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1733. The text progresses to the incorporation of The Morning Star Lodge, erected in Worcester on March 11, 1793 and constituted in due form on June 11, 1793. Right Worshipful Isaiah Thomas, Past Master of Trinity Lodge, was chosen as it's first Worshipful Master.

Notable events such as the decision to purchase a set of Masonic jewels (from silversmith patriot Paul Revere) in April of 1793 and the "funeral" procession for George Washington on January 15, 1800 are given specific attention in the highlights of lodge meetings. The records, as one would expect, cease in 1828 when the lodge went dark due to the anti-Masonic fervor surrounding the Morgan Affair. Brother Otis Corbett, Secretary of The Morning Star Lodge in 1828, kept the records safe until reconstruction in 1842. At that time, the "The" was dropped from the name and the lodge became simply "Morning Star Lodge." The minutes show interesting additions after the 1840's when, with the invention of the locomotive, increased notations of members traveling around to other lodges in New England became more common. Notable historical recoveries occurred in 1861 and 1865, when Isaiah Thomas' original gavel and 1793 lodge charter were rediscovered, found misplaced amongst the belongings of the late Otis Corbett after the 1828 scare. Details of the solemn ceremony that accompanied the moving of Isaiah Thomas' tomb to Rural Cemetery in 1878 are filled with emotion, respect and admiration for his life and dedication to the Craft.

The element of the text that I find particularly fascinating is the description of the various meeting spaces Morning Star Lodge occupied between 1793 and 1893. At least ten locations are distinctly noted, including The Old Sun Tavern at Main and Mechanic Streets, The Exchange Hotel/United States Arms, the Healey House, Thomas Stevens' Hall, the Masonic Hall at Union Block, the old Town Hall, Dr. John Green's Hall, Heywood's Hall on Waldo Block and finally the old Masonic Hall on Pearl Street, which was used from 1867-1914, when the lodge relocated to it's current home.