Masons' Hall

04/12/2026

On April 11, 1791, George Washington arrived in Richmond as part of his three-and-a-half-month, 1,900-mile Southern Tour of the United States. A cannon salute marked his arrival, and that evening he viewed the newly constructed state capitol, specially illuminated in his honor.

On April 12, he toured the progress of the James River Canal, a project with which he was closely associated, having served as honorary president of the James River Company since its formation in 1785. During its first four years, the acting president was Edmund Randolph, namesake of Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19, which met at Masons’ Hall. Randolph served in that role until Washington appointed him the first Attorney General of the United States.

A committee of six was appointed by Richmond’s Common Council (now known as the City Council) to prepare an address for the President. The committee included Mayor George Nicholson, Recorder David Lambert, John Barrett, Alexander McRobert, Robert Mitchell, and Henry Banks. All were Freemasons and members of lodges meeting at Masons’ Hall at the time, either Richmond Lodge No. 10 or Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19, and were tasked with delivering the address.

On April 13, Washington toured the city, which he had not visited since 1784, when he had promoted navigation improvements to the James River—efforts that ultimately led to the canal’s development. Reflecting on the city’s growth, he wrote in his diary:

“The buildings in this place have encreased a good deal since I was here last.”

Besides the new capitol building and the courthouse, Masons’ Hall stood as one of the most active buildings in the city. In addition to hosting Masonic meetings for its resident Masonic lodges and its status at the Grand Lodge of Virginia, it was used for Common Council gatherings, Hustings Court proceedings, public meetings, religious services, entertainment, and even a dance academy.

While no surviving written account specificallh confirms that Washington visited Masons’ Hall, early twentieth-century tourist maps identify it as a site he visited. Given its prominence in the still small capitol of the commonwealth, Washington’s status as an active Freemason, and the company he kept with active members of the buikding’s lodges during his visit, he most assuredly observed the building that day.

That evening, President Washington was entertained a few blocks away on Main Street at the Eagle Tavern. On the morning of April 14, he departed Richmond, crossing to Manchester for breakfast, where he again received a cannon salute, before continuing on to Petersburg, where he attended a ball held in his honor at the Masonic hall there.

04/07/2026

Appreciate St. John's Church Foundation for recording and sharing this.

Reverend John Buchanan, rector of St. John’s from 1785–1822, was a connector—bringing together Richmond’s religious, civic, and charitable communities in its earliest years.

As a member of Richmond Masonic Lodge No. 10 and part of the early story of Masons’ Hall, his legacy is still visible in the institutions that remain today.

Matthew Maggy, President of the Mason's Hall Historic Preservation Foundation, discusses the life of Reverend and Mason John S. Buchanan.

04/03/2026

On this day, April 3, 1865, the city of Richmond fell to Union forces following the evacuation of Confederate troops the night before. Fires set during the retreat devastated large portions of the city, leaving destruction and hardship in their wake.

Several years ago, the original lodge treasurer’s ledgers of Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 were rediscovered and preserved at Masons’ Hall, offering a powerful firsthand account of that day.

Federal troops entered Richmond and posted guards at key locations, including Masons’ Hall, to protect them from looting and further damage.

The ledger records:

“On the third day of April 1865, evacuation of the Confederate Army, a large portion of the city destroyed by fire, about 20 millions property lost, Confederate money worthless, left a balance of $2500 in the hands of the Treasurer. Misery, helpless brethren, widows and orphans left to our charity.”

Despite holding funds rendered nearly useless by the collapse of Confederate currency, the officers and members of the lodge stepped forward, providing aid and relief to distressed brethren, widows, and orphans in the aftermath of the city’s fall.

Beginning construction just after the American Revolution in 1785, the building of Masons’ Hall was led by early city leaders and American founding fathers Edmund Randolph and John Marshall and it remains the oldest continuously used Masonic lodge building in America. It has long served as a center of civic, social, and cultural life in Richmond and continues that legacy today as the home of Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 A.F.&A.M.

Occasionally open for tours and events, Masons’ Hall stands as one of Richmond’s most powerful living connections to its past. More information about how you can help our preservation efforts can be found at masonshall.org

03/15/2026

March 14th is officially recognized as “Lafayette Day” here in the City of Richmond, Virginia. We’re proud to have hosted the Marquis de Lafayette himself here at Masons’ Hall on October 30, 1824, during the Revolutionary War heroes' return tour of the United States. He was made an honorary member of Richmond Randolph No.19 during his visit.

01/19/2026

Today we want to wish a Happy Birthday to the
Master of Macabre himself, Edgar Allan Poe!

Although not a member of any of the Masonic lodges that met here, Poe had several strong ties to Historic Masons’ Hall dating back to his early childhood.

His mother Eliza Poe, a renowned touring actress in her day had come to Richmond to perform at the Richmond Theatre. During that time she came down with a case of consumption (tuberculosis) while Edgar was just under three years old. To help pay for her medical treatment, Eliza performed a concert at Masons’ Hall in 1811 after the brethren of the lodge, graciously opened the doors to her to help in her time of need.

Unfortunately, Eliza didn’t survive her illness and passed shortly after the performance. She is now buried on Church Hill at St. John’s Church. Edgar’s father, David Poe Jr., had abandoned his family while Edgar was an infant and by happenstance died just three days after his wife. Edgar was now an orphan and taken in by a Richmond couple, John and Frances Allan. Whose last name became Poe’s middle name and why, although born in Boston, he grew up in Richmond and considered himself a Richmonder.

Edgar Allan Poe’s other connection to Masons’ Hall was in 1824 when a grand reception was held for returning Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette during his tour of the United States. Edgar was a lieutenant in the Richmond youth honor guard that escorted Lafayette to Masons’ Hall.

The connection was a meaningful one as Edgar’s grandfather Davis Poe Sr. of Baltimore served as a quartermaster during the American Revolution and supplied Lafayette’s troops out of his own pocket. This earned him the honorary title of “General Poe” and created a lasting friendship between David Poe Sr. and Lafayette.

An adult Edgar would later work nearby as the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger which was also located in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood just a couple of blocks from Masons’ Hall. Poe would have certainly been aware of the building given its prominence at the time and his experiences with it during his youth and likely passed by frequently. Masons’ Hall would have certainly been his first exposure to freemasonry, which later factored into his writing, specifically as a key part of the plot to The Cask of Amontillado.

Today at Masons’ Hall, we love telling stories about our connection to America’s most original storytellers and we always enjoy our occasional collaborations with the Poe Museum just up the block. Happy Birthday, Edgar! We hope you found the peace in your afterlife, that always eluded you in life.🐦‍⬛

01/19/2026

This weekend we celebrated the inauguration of another governor, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 75th, here in the capital city. We want to highlight the 7th governor, Edmund Randolph, who has significant ties to Historic Masons’ Hall.

Randolph, an active Freemason, who had been a member of Williamsburg Lodge No.6 and an early member of Richmond No.10 was one of the driving forces in building Masons’ Hall following the American Revolution leading up to its cornerstone being laid in 1785.

By the time the building was completed in 1787, Randolph was both the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia and the 7th Governor of the Commonwealth. That year Richmond Randolph Lodge No.19 was chartered and named in honor of Edmund Randolph and still meets in and maintains Masons’ Hall to this day.

In a very active year for Randolph, in 1787 he also led the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia where the delegates were charged with developing a new form of government to replace the Articles of Confederation. There, Edmund Randolph presented the Virginia Plan, which he had helped draft with James Madison. Before traveling to the convention Virginia’s delegates had met in Richmond at Masons’ Hall.

The Virginia Plan was well-received and proved to be the blueprint for the Constitution of the United States of America. The following year, Randolph would chair the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, which secured Virginia’s adoption of the Constitution.

That year Randolph would resign as Governor and join George Washington’s first cabinet as the first Attorney General of the United States. In 1794 He would succeed Thomas Jefferson and become the second Secretary of State.

A decade before the laying of the cornerstone at Masons' Hall, Randolph was George Washington's aide-de-camp in 1775 at the beginning of the American Revolution, serving during the Siege of Boston. His service would be short when he was called home to handle his uncle Peyton Randolph's affairs after he unexpectedly passed while serving as the first President of the Continental Congress. Edmund assumed his uncle's seat as a delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress.

So as we honor the ascension of our new Governor, let us not forget Edmund Randolph, a Governor and Founding Father, who, during its early years, made Masons’ Hall a home away from home.

01/17/2026

Historic Masons’ Hall would like to wish Benjamin Franklin a Happy 320th Birthday! 🎂

Although he never visited, Franklin had several ties to Masons’ Hall, likely due to the influence of his nephew Dr. John K. Read, member and third master of our resident lodge Richmond Randolph No.19. Dr Read’s father James was the brother of Franklin’s wife Deborah Read. James Read of Philadelphia was also appointed by the Continental Congress, which included brother-in-law Franklin, to sign the currency.

An authentic “Franklin rod” is also still affixed to the side of Masons’ Hall to this day and was installed shortly after the building’s completion in 1787, likely an initiative of Dr. Read. The Franklin rod is the grounded metal rod running up the side of the building and sticking out like an antenna from the cupola. Invented by Franklin, it acts to protect our wooden structure from fire caused by diverting lightning strikes.

Who knows how many times this innovation saved the building over its more than two centuries of service. The only other original Franklin rod we know of still in use is attached to the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

Masons’ Hall also sits on Franklin Street in Richmond. Originally F Street, it was renamed after Benjamin Franklin likely through the influence of Dr. Read who liked to name things after his Uncle Ben, as evidenced by the name of his son Benjamin Franklin Read. An appropriate name given Franklin’s deep Masonic affiliation and involvement.

Another important connection to Franklin and Masons’ Hall is John Dixon Sr. Dixon was a charter member of Richmond Randolph No.19 and served as its first Senior Warden. Before relocating to Richmond, Dixon owned and operated the printing and post office on Duke of Gloucester Street. They printed the Virginia Gazette there and used it as the central post office for Williamsburg. This office had been established by his former partner William Hunter with the help of Franklin who supplied the newsprint and was deputy postmaster of the colonies with Hunter. Dixon also served as mayor of Williamsburg and colonel in the militia during the early stages of the American Revolution in 1775.

So let’s all raise a glass (Madeira if you have it) and give three cheers to honor the birthday of an American founder and original, Benjamin Franklin! Thank you for keeping our old building safe from lightning strikes and for lending your name to help visitors find their way to our front door.

12/29/2025

We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Bill Martin, Executive Director of The Valentine Museum, today. Bill was an icon and pillar of the Richmond community. He was also an enthusiastic cheerleader of our revitalization progress at Masons’ Hall and we enjoyed coordinating the annual Winter Wander tours with him and his team.

This image from 2022 captures Bill being Bill, leading a group of first-time visitors through Masons’ Hall. He will be greatly missed and mourned by us and so many in this community that he loved so much and whose stories he preserved for generations to come.

12/19/2025

Slipek had visited and given tours of Masons' Hall for his class at VCU several times over the years. He was always a genuine and interesting person. As noted in this article, he was a giant in the Richmond preservation community and will leave a big hole.

12/12/2025

Join us for our free annual Open House this Sunday from Noon to 4pm 🏛️

12/09/2025

Come see us Sunday Noon-4pm!

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday and its your change to give and help preserve Historic Masons' Hall in Richmond, Virginia, America's oldest masonic lodge building.

With its cornerstone laid in 1785, Masons' Hall is considered the "Cradle of Virginia Freemasonry" having served as the Grand Lodge of Virginia for most of its first century standing.

To this day it is still an active masonic lodge building, having served as the home of Richmond Randolph Lodge No.19 since 1787. It is one of the most historic buildings in Richmond, Virginia and we have been working hard to restore it to its former glory so it can stand for another 240 years.

Contribute today to our efforts. You can be a "patron", a "friend" or make a tax deductible gift at a suggested or your chosen amount at www.masonshall.org

Our fundraising efforts are managed through the Masons' Hall Historic Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.