George Washington: A Founding Father and Brother Mason

George Washington remains one of the most enduring and respected figures in American history. Revered as the “Father of His Country,” he led the fight for independence, served as the nation’s first president, and helped shape the values that continue to define the United States. Lesser known, but equally significant, is his deep and lasting connection to Freemasonry.

A Young Man Called to the Craft

Brother Washington’s Masonic journey began early. At just 20 years old, he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice in 1752 at the Lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For a modest fee of two pounds and three shillings, he joined a fraternity that would influence him for the rest of his life. By 1753, he had completed the second and third degrees, becoming a Master Mason.

A young Brother Washington

Freemasonry, with its emphasis on moral virtue, Brotherhood, and civic duty, aligned closely with Brother Washington’s values. Throughout his life, he maintained relationships with his fellow Masons and regularly corresponded with lodges. He accepted invitations to attend Masonic events, participate in commemorations, and receive honors from jurisdictions across the young nation.

A Leader on the Battlefield and in the Lodge

Even amid the trials of the Revolutionary War, Brother Washington never forgot his Masonic ties. He attended lodge celebrations and religious observances in various states, and he supported regimental lodges that formed among his troops. In 1788, he was elected Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Virginia, further solidifying his commitment to the Craft.

One of the most notable Masonic moments of his political career came during his inauguration as President of the United States in 1789. The ceremony was conducted with a Bible borrowed from St. John’s Lodge in New York and administered by Chancellor and Grand Master Robert R. Livingston.

George Washington’s Presidential portrait

Masonic Values in Public Life

George Washington’s public and private lives were deeply connected to the ideals of Freemasonry. As the George Washington Masonic National Memorial notes:

“Such was Washington’s character, that from almost the day he took his Masonic obligations until his death, he became the same man in private that he was in public. He remained a ‘just and upright Mason.’ Brother Washington was a ‘living stone’ who became a cornerstone of American civilization.”

Brother Washington’s enduring image on the one-dollar bill even has Masonic ties. Some point to the presence of Masonic symbols like the Eye of Providence as reflections of the era’s connection to Enlightenment and fraternal thought, though these are not directly Masonic.

A Masonic Farewell

When Brother Washington passed away in 1799 at the age of 67, he was honored with a Masonic funeral. He was laid to rest wearing his Masonic apron. Shortly after his death, Martha Washington sent a lock of his hair to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. That lock now rests in a specially made urn crafted by silversmith and fellow Mason, Paul Revere.

Depiction of George Washington in Masonic regalia

A Legacy That Endures

George Washington’s contributions to Freemasonry and our nation are intertwined. He exemplified the virtues of Brotherly love, Relief, and Truth both in his leadership and his personal life. His Masonic legacy is preserved today through institutions like the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, which honors his achievements and promotes the values he lived by.

To learn more about Washington’s life as a Mason and explore the memorial dedicated to his legacy, visit gwmemorial.org.

This blog was inspired by the findings of the Scottish Rite, NMJ’s blog on the same topic.