The cornerstone of the Bibb County, Alabama Courthouse was Masonically laid on July 14, 1902. On December 23, 2002, Friendship Lodge No. 83 was pleased to assist in the opening of that stone, along with County Probate Judge Jerry Pow, Judge James White, and a gentleman who was 2 years old at the laying of the stone by Grand Master Russel Cunningham back in 1902.
Many papers were found within -- sadly, somewhat deteriorated from the passage of time, but mostly still recognizable. We found minutes of a county commission meeting; papers from various local professionals and businesses; a very moldy Bible; an Indian head penny and a Columbian Expositon half-dollar, as well as a quantity of paper money; and (of course) papers from the participating Lodges. Among these last were an old copy of the by-laws of Friendship 83, and a copy of the Annual Communication minutes of the Grand Lodge from an earlier year.
The current plan is to display all these in the County Courthouse (along with some discussion of recording them on CD-ROM for preservation, if not more agressive attempts at conservation), then placing them back in the cornerstone with contributions from this new century. It is quite possible that the Freemasons will be invited again to participate; watch this site for future news.
If you haven't received a letter from the Lodge, we are planning to replace the carpeting in the Lodge room. An estimate is at hand for $3,400. Contributions may be sent to the Lodge. Feel free to write or call the Worshipful Master for more details.
