by Catherine Walter, Curator Benedict Arnold: Freemason and Traitor Benedict Arnold's history shows that he was an ardent Patriot in the beginning of the War, his eagerness probably fueled by the trouble that the British were causing for colonial business men. In 1761 Benedict Arnold had opened a general store in New Haven, CT. With the sale of family property in 1764 Arnold became a merchant trader and began to travel to Canada and to the West Indies, where it is believed he became a Freemason.

On April 10, 1765 Benedict Arnold affiliated with Hiram Lodge No .1 in New Haven, where the minutes read: Brother Benedict Arnold is by Right Worshipful [Nathan Whiting] proposed to be made a member of the Right Worshipful Lodge and is accordingly made a member in this Lodge .

In 1767 Benedict Arnold married Margaret Manseld, the daughter of a fellow Freemason, Samuel Manseld. Arnold had begun building a large house near his store in 1770, which was completed in 1771.

His involvement in this project, and with a lawsuit he was engaged in, may explain why he was able to attend a meeting at Solomon s No. 1 on June 12, 1771, instead of beginning the seasons shipping travel.

Freemasonry in Poughkeepsie

On April 18, 1771 Provincial Grand Master George Harison issued a warrant to Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Poughkeepsie's first Masonic Lodge. The Lodge was re-numbered three times: once in 1797 when it surrendered its Provincial charter and was issued a new one as No. 56; once in 1800 when it was changed to No. 5, and finally in 1819 when it was changed to No. 6. In1828, after the Morgan affair, the Lodge disappeared; in 1832 the Grand Lodge forfeited their warrant.

In 1852 the second Lodge in the area was warranted as Poughkeepsie Lodge No. 266. This Lodge is still in existence and is celebrating its 155 th Anniversary in June of 2007. In 1879 a third Masonic Lodge was warranted and named Triune Lodge N o. 782; and in 1922 a fourth, named Obed Lodge No. 984, was warranted. In 1986 these two Lodges merged to become Triune - Obed Lodge No. 782, which celebrates its 128 th Anniversary in September of 2007 .

Revolution, Treason and Aftermath

When the Revolution began on April 19, 1775 Benedict Arnold aggressively joined the fight against the British. His wife Margaret died on June 19 th, two months after the Revolution began. Arnold then spent the next four years fighting valiantly for the Revolution. In June of 1778 he was given command of Philadelphia.

It was here in Philadelphia that he met his second wife, Peggy Shippen, who was a Loyalist and who was formerly loved and courted by Major André. Peggy s ambition is credited as one of the main reasons for Arnold s treason, another being Arnold s huge dissatisfaction with the treatment he was receiving from the new government, where he felt he had been passed over for promotions. He also felt unjustly charged with mismanaging his post in Philadelphia, where he had begun to live extravagantly. He was later court-martialed in Morristown, N J in June of 1779 for misuse o f both funds and army personnel. His sentence was a reprimand by the commander-in-chief, George Washington, a sentence confirmed by Congress on February 12 th, 1780. For Arnold, who felt wrongly accused, to be reprimanded by his friend Washington was not only embarrassing, but the thought it extremely insulting to all of the sacrifices he had made for the war effort.

At this point, Benedict Arnold had alread y made his first overture to the British. After his humiliating censure, he turned down an active command position and convinced Washington to give him command of the strategically located West Point. On September 23, 1780, Arnold s traitorous plot to turn West Point over to the British as discovered by the capture of a British soldier, Major John André, by three Patriots: John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams. Paulding and Williams would later become Freemasons, with Paulding joining Cortlandt Lodge No. 34 in Cortlandt, N Y in the 1790s and Williams joining Lotus Lodge No. 31 in 1827, serving as its first Junior Warden.

Benedict Arnold escaped to a British ship and later fought for the British against the Revolution. He died in poverty in London in 1801. André was killed by hanging, as regulations relating to a spy required, but he presented so sympathetic a figure that General Hamilton was moved to comment, “He died universally esteemed and universally regretted.”

On May 16, 1781 Solomon s Lodge No. 1 passed a resolution which states: “Ordered that the Name of Benedict Arnold be considered as obliterated from the Minutes of this Lodge, a Traitor. His signature in the list of visitors to the Lodge on June 12, 1771 is crossed out in a way that allows identification of the name beneath. Next to the statement of the 1781 resolution is a small drawing of a hand, with a finger pointing at the word Traitor.

Two years after the death of Major André , George Washington visited Solomon s Lodge N o. 1 on December 27, 1782 . At the meeting, part of an address read to the Commander-in-Chief was recorded in the minutes as follows: .We the Master, Wardens an d Brethren of Solomon's Lodge No. 1 are highly sensible of the Honor done to Masonry in general by the countenance shown to it by the most Dignified Character...

At the time of Washington's visit to the Lodge, the Revolutionary War was almost over. Britain declared an end to the hostilities on February 4, 1783 and the United States Congress declared an end to the war on April 11, 1783. The British did not evacuate completely from New York City, how ever, until almost a year after Washington's visit to Solomon's Lodge No. 1, leaving on November 25, 1783 as Washington to enter the city in triumph.

I AM A MASON! This plain and simple statement is said with pride, not apology! But to make such a statement is not enough. Reasons are expected and I give them briefly and almost in outline form.

Because of the Friendships the Fraternity Has Offered Me

These friendships reach back 50 years to a rural community in Virginia where I was raised a Master Mason. Those plain, simple men took me into their circle of friendship and sustained me through many of the difficulties a young minister will find in his first year out of the seminary. Across half a century, my life has been blessed by friends from all walks of life and many denominational groups.

Freemasonry is truly ecumenical in its membership. In a day of mistrust, suspicion, discrimination, separation, and even hatred. Freemasonry removes the distance between men. Friendship, morality, and brotherly love are the hallmarks of our relationships. There is a basic integrity in the Fraternity so often lacking in many of life's relationships.

Because of the Beautiful Ritual Rooted in Biblical History

These Rituals relating to each Masonic degree are not forms without substance. Out of the ancient landmarks they come with honored words that plumb the depths of human emotion.

As one who loves the beauty and meanings of words, I never tire of watching and listening to the granting of any degree, the opening and the closing of lodge meetings.

Ancient Biblical history comes alive in the drama and language of Freemasonry. The beauty and order of a Masonic lodge added to the symbols so familiar to the Fraternity have meant so much to so many.

Because of the Practice of Brotherhood and the Charitable Endeavors.

Masons are not interested in shallow social activity, although they need and enjoy good fellowship. They are not interested only in a community service club, although they want to be proud of the service record and community image of the Fraternity to which they belong.

Masonic homes, hospitals, and institutions are rendering a service to "the least of these" in such a manner that underscores the care and the devotion of the people called "Mason". No hospital offers quite the care for crippled children or burned children as ddo those that bear the name of "Mason". At no cost to the families, these hospitals open their doors and lives are restored and made whole again.

Because of the Deep Religious Tone

Let me quickly and emphatically say that Freemasonry is not and has never been a religion, however, Freemasonry has always been a friend and ally of religion. In 50 years as a minister and a Mason, I have found no conflict between my Masonic beliefs and my Christian faith. I have not found and so not now find that Freemasonry is "incompatible with Christian faith and practice".

Two weeks ago, there was a rare opportunity in Binghamton to witness an ancient craft -- the formal dedication of a building by the Free and Accepted Masons. It took place at the Castle, originally known as the New York State Inebriate Asylum, at the Greater Binghamton Health Center. Prior to that event, a Masonic dedication ceremony had not been seen in this area for decades.

The ceremony was filled with ritual and symbolism. The "Great Architect of the Universe" was invoked and a cornerstone was placed in position. Tools of the craft were used in the ceremony: the square, the level and the plumb, each an implement of Masonry, and each representing moral attributes as well. Corn, wine and oil were poured on the stone signifying bounty, joy and peace.

As in the original ceremony, on completion of each segment the Masons concluded that the craftsmen had done their job well, then in unison chanted "so mote it be," meaning "so it is."

For those fortunate enough to witness the event, it was a solemn, moving and truly unforgettable experience.

Established over 600 years ago, Freemasonry is claimed to be the oldest fraternal organization in the world. It first appeared in this area in 1798; the Grand Master was John Patterson and meetings were held in Joshua Whitney's log cabin.

As the organization grew, meetings were held in several buildings around town. In 1898 a Masonic Temple was built on Chenango Street, which served as headquarters until it was destroyed by fire in 1919. In 1922 a new Masonic Temple was constructed on the corner of Main and Murray streets.

Designed by Walter H. Whitlock and Charles H. Conrad, the building, with its classical six-column portico has elements of "Art Moderne" style. Inside was a large theater and two lodge rooms on the second floor. Upper floors held recreational rooms and a grand ballroom.

In later years, the theater was rented out for concerts, Broadway performances and other events. Dances were held in the ballroom. During the 1960s and 1970s, it was home to the Tri-Cities Opera and Summer Savoyards. Local musician Eric Ross remembers seeing opera great Placido Domingo in a Tri-Cities Opera production at the Masonic Temple. With declining Masonic membership, in the mid-1980s, a plan was developed to renovate the upper floors into apartments for senior housing. Construction began and was well under way when, in 1990, funding came to a halt and the project was abruptly abandoned.

Shortly after that, the Masons moved out; the building was sold at auction in December 2000. Former Mayor Richard Bucci announced that the new owner, a development group in Sarasota, Florida, which also owned the Grand Royale Hotel and the Drazen Building on State Street, planned to convert the Masonic Temple into student housing. In 2001, Binghamton University's administration announced that the student housing plan was in its final stages, stating that the building "was already separated into apartments 10 years ago," and it "has a common area large enough to fit a basketball court."

It was not to be. Owner of the building David Band recalls that after the sale some structural work was done, the roof was repaired, and the building was secured. "Then the economy turned and the project was put on hold," he said. Now he is interested in selling the property.

Today the grand entrance and the theater are filled with debris: piles of wooden seats, cabinets, construction material, pianos, toilets, an organ console -- everything but the kitchen sink. Make that everything including the kitchen sink -- at least three of them can be found in the rubble.

In the pitch-black theater, a flashlight shows walls stripped bare. The stage that once supported lavish operatic productions is littered with trash. This grand hall, once filled with music, laughter and applause, is cold, dark and silent.

The upper floors look like a work in progress. Walls have been demolished and new walls have been erected; electrical and plumbing work is unfinished. New windows are in place; bathtubs have been framed in. Piles of lumber and drywall sit waiting for workers to return -- workers who left the job nearly 20 years ago.

Copper plumbing has been removed, presumably by vandals. In the catacombs beneath the auditorium, a ladder stands below an open window making for easy access by nocturnal visitors.

Other than some architectural detail in the theater, there is little evidence of the building's original Masonic use. But on the top floor, in the midst of partially completed housing units, the old "Doric Room" remains somewhat intact. With its arched ceiling, a stage at one end and elevated seating along each side, the Doric Room was used for Masonic meetings and ceremonial events.

I left the Masonic Temple with a few impressions. The building is a magnificent structure. It has a rich history and for 70 years provided a great service to this community. Today, the interior is a mess. With no climate control, 18 years of exposure to the elements has taken its toll. But the building itself appears to be structurally sound.

Outside, I went to the northeast corner of the building to look for the cornerstone. There it was, engraved with a date and name of the Masonic Grand Master. On July 22, 1922, a ceremony took place at that very spot. The Great Architect of the Universe was invoked and the cornerstone was placed. It was positioned by square, level and plumb. It was sprinkled with corn, wine and oil.

Today, in spite of years of neglect the building stands strong and proud, ready for its next use.

The craftsmen did their job well.

So mote it be.

Down a red gravel road off FM 1488 stands a large steel building, originally constructed as a "storage facility." But it's what's inside of half of this building at the end of Billy Howard Masonic Drive that will put it on the map, at least for visitors with an interest in history.

The Magnolia Masonic Museum and Library will collect, preserve and house artifacts, relics, historical treasures and items relating to the Masonic organization and its history, according to Lee Howard, who is one of those developing the project. "Some items will be donated by local sources," he said, "while others will come from state or national sources." Howard said he knows of no other museums of this kind except for one in Houston. About 3,200 square feet, or half of the building, is dedicated to the museum and library. "Finishing the interior of the building, complete with tall wooden shelving and glass cases, depends on donations," said Howard. The land was donated by Howard and a business partner.

Howard explained that the walls are essentially finished, while some wiring still needs to be completed, the ceiling needs to be installed and flooring laid before opening. "Hopefully we will be ready to open by the end of the year," he said.

Howard said not many people know the profound effect the Masons had on education in the state. In the early to mid 1800s, there were no schools in the many settlements up and down the Brazos River and into what is now Montgomery County. Many of the settlers were Masons who built two story buildings as lodges in which to meet. There were no schools, so the Masons decided to use their lodges as schools.

They turned the first floors into what was to become the first schoolhouses, and at their expense, hired teachers. The Masons moved their meetings upstairs, and oftentimes the lodges served as gathering places for churches on Sundays. One of those buildings still stands today, just off FM 1774 south of Plantersville.

Howard, one of about 70 members of the Magnolia Masonic Lodge, said he and other members have an interest in making the history of the Masons available to schools in the area. "1 hope we will be able to take videos, along with historical artifacts into the schools so kids have a chance to see a unique historical perspective.

According to Howard, the Masons have counted a number of famous people as members: Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Gerald Ford; statesmen Benjamin Franklin, Gen. Sam Houston, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and celebrities Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Ernest Borgnine, Mel Tillis and Jim Reeves.

Howard, who has lived in the area 32 years, is a history buff, especially "for all things Masonic." One of his favorite stories dates back to the days of Gen. Sam Houston and Santa Anna. "The story goes that Santa Anna was a Mason, and Sam Houston was, too," he said. "That's supposedly the only reason Houston didn't shoot him when he had the chance," he said. Howard said he is currently working on getting a copy of Santa Anna's Masonic apron for the museum.

Howard said the group is involved in a number of fund-raising activities. "We are selling engraved bricks for $120 and $240 that will be laid in the entrance of the building, and can carry an inscription from the donor," he said. The group also sells barbecue briskets for Christmas, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

On Nov. 15 beginning at 2 p.m., a Blue and Gold fundraiser will be held to benefit the museum at Spur's Saloon at 10310 FM 1488 in Magnolia. Organizers say special entertainment will be provided by Texas music legend Gene Watson and the Farewell Party Band. A barbecue dinner, silent auction and live auction will be held.

Participation as an underwriter is $2,000 and entitles the donor to special recognition the day of the benefit, free barbecue and a reserved table for eight adjacent to the dance floor, and an inscribed brick with choice of inscription.