What is the difference between a Re-enactors' Lodge "of Research" and a traditional Research Lodge in Masonry?

The Re-enactors' Lodge idea is new. There are only three so far in the U.S., all now from the Civil War era. One is for Masons who have an ancestor who fought for the Confederacy; one is a general Civil War Re-enactor Lodge and the third, in Wisconsin, is made up of Civil War reenactors of a real Union unit who also are Masons.

In the Dakotas, with the support of Grand Masters of the two Grand Lodges, we are working to charter a Frontier Army Re-enactment Lodge for this area from circa 1860 to 1890 when the Census Bureau declared the Frontier closed.

What does a Re-enactor Lodge do?

1. It offers a Masonic public face to Re-enactors and others visiting re-enactment events such as the annual Fort Sisseton Festival.

2. Through Masons in past uniforms, it reminds Masons of our history when they participate in Masonic and other events--and it reminds non-Masons that Masonry was and is a living mode of self expression and group participation. There already are plans for something like this, perhaps with television coverage, for Masonic re-enactor Lodges at Gettysburg.

3. Since military Masons played a major role in Dakota Territory before and during development of our Grand Lodge and two Grand Lodges, re-enactment offers a way we literally can put ourselves into the place of our ancestors. I know while working on a SDLMR piece on Gov. Arthur Mellette that his Civil War diary meant a thousand times more when I put on the heavy wool uniform of the period.

4. As brothers in a Re-enactment Lodge learn increasingly well how to portray a person from an earlier period for "living history," that interest adds potential for a more scholarly piece for the traditional Research Lodge.

5. Imagine, too, as time goes on, a Masonic color guard, an 1875 Degree Team to help Lodges in ritual, a very obvious parade unit. But that's for the future.

Finally, Paul Bessel, noted Masonic writer, Internet Webmaster, researcher and librarian, also is among founders of the Civil War Lodge of Masonic Research. After a Tyled meeting at Gettysburg, Brother Paul wrote me that every Brother's heart was filled with the spirit of Mason's who fought there 140 years ago, who died on that ground or who carried its memory back to their Craft Lodges and in their hearts until they also were raised to a celestial Lodge. I love books and research for fun and articles.

The Re-enactors' "research" may bring us great articles and support our publications efforts, but there's another kind of research for your heart only. It's the sudden flash of brotherhood you may feel with ancient ancestors on a deer stand... the faint stirrings and flashing ghostly images I've felt at Shiloh and Vicksburg for my own ancestors of 140 years ago.

Ask anyone who was at Fort Sisseton Nov. 13...

WB Milo Dailey, IV

WB Dale Miskimins