Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection
Identifier
MC 356
Title
Prince Hall Freemasonry Collection
Description
Prince Hall Freemasonry began in the late eighteenth century when a group of free black men, led by Prince Hall (d. 1807), petitioned and were made members of a Masonic lodge attached to an Irish regiment stationed in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1784 the group had formed their own lodge and received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Since that time, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry, with a predominantly black membership, has developed in a parallel evolution with so-called mainstream (i.e., predominantly white) Freemasonry in the United States. This is the case with the affiliated and appendant bodies as well, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, and Shriners.
The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958.
The first Prince Hall Masonic Lodge established in Columbus was Bradwell Lodge no. 4 (now Lewis Hayden Lodge no. 6) on 24 June 1871. Since 1871 seven additional lodges, as well as three Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, have been established in Columbus. Many pillars of the community have belonged to Prince Hall Masonic bodies in the Columbus area. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech at the Prince Hall building in July 1958.
Date
1950s
Collection Items
89th Annual Session, Prince Hall Grand Lodge - F. & A.M.
John Wesley Dobbs, Grand Master
Atlanta, Georgia - June 10-12, 1958
Group of men standing on the steps of the Liberty Baptist Church in Atlanta . The men are members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and are wearing their regalia.
John Wesley Dobbs, Grand Master, Grand Lodge Officers, 1951
Portrait of John Wesley Dobbs, Grand Master
John Wesley Dobbs, Imperial Potentate
Portrait of John Wesley Dobbs, Imperial Potentate, AEAONMS, wearing a fez hat.
Grand Lodge Officers, 1951
Grand Lodge Officers posing while John Wesley Dobbs shakes hands with Grand Master Amos T. Hall of Oklahoma.
Unknown Group, Birmingham, Alabama, 1951
Group of unknown men posing in their robes and regalia. Possibly the United Supreme Council, Scottish Rite
59th Annual Session
Prince Hall Grand Chapter - O.E.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, June 9-12, 1958
Photograph of the 59th Annual Session of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter - O.E.S.
Photograph includes men and women wearing their sashes and regalia outside the Liberty Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia
Photograph includes men and women wearing their sashes and regalia outside the Liberty Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia