Ansantawae Lodge

10/13/2026

167 years ago tonight. At a meeting of Master Masons residing in the Town of Milford, it was agreed to petition the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for a dispensation empowering them to confer the three degrees of Masonry, the lodge to be called Ansantawae Lodge No.__
A petition was therefore drawn up and signed by,
John N. Buckingham, David Miles, Daniel Buckingham, James Sweet, and Mark Mallett, all from St. John's Lodge No. 8 Stratford Ct.
Thomas A.Dutton, King Hiram Lodge No. 12 Derby Ct
Harvey Treat, St John's Lodge No. 3 Bridgeport Ct
Stephen Trowbridge, Abrams Lodge No. 13 New York Ny. And forwarded it to the Grand Master who granted the prayers of the petitioners and sent them dispensation to become a Masonic Lodge.
I had the honor of serving as Worshipful Master in 2009 on the lodge's 150th anniversary.

09/30/2026

On September 30, 1949, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. (U.S. President 1974-1977) received his 1st degree in Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford, Richard Addison Ford and James Francis Ford. The Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May 18, 1951, under dispensation to Malta Lodge.

Brother Ford’s stepfather Gerald Rudolff Ford, was an active Mason and Shriner. In 1976 speech to the Mohammed Shriners of Illinois, Ford said his personal experience with Freemasonry began when he was playing center for the University of Michigan football team in 1934. During the season, he was selected to play in the 10th annual East-West Shrine Game, part of an event that raised funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children. It was there that he was given a tour of the San Francisco Shriners Hospital.

Brother Ford was devoted to the Masonic fraternity for the remainder of his life.

Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, and Honorary Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction; unanimously elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master; received the degrees of York Rite Masonry (Chapter and Council degrees) in a special ceremony in the Oval Office on January 11, 1977, during his term as President of the United States; was also a Noble of Saladin Shriners in Kentwood, Michigan and the Royal Order of Jesters.

Although there was no known Masonic funeral for Brother Ford, Masonic brothers gathered at Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington D.C. on December 31, 2006 and walked the three blocks dressed in Masonic regalia to the Capitol Rotunda where his body lay in state, to pay their respects.

09/26/2026

🔨 MASONIC HISTORY SEPTEMBER 25, 1940 🇺🇸

On this day, September 25, 1940, Harry S. Truman was elected the 97th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Before becoming the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S Truman was deeply involved in Freemasonry. His Masonic journey began in 1909 when he was raised in Belton Lodge No. 450 in Missouri. He would go on to serve his Grand Lodge and ultimately become its Grand Master in 1940.

Truman’s life is a reminder of the many paths a Mason may walk from the lodge room to the battlefield, the halls of government, and the highest office in the land.

On this day, we remember a Brother who carried the principles of Brotherhood, Duty, Service, and Character throughout a remarkable life.

🔨 “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” — Harry S. Truman

09/18/2026

Today marks the 233rd anniversary of the Masonic cornerstone dedication ceremony of the United States Capitol. This ritual was officiated by George Washington, a lifelong Virginia Freemason, and attended by hundreds of brethren from around the region.

One of the massive murals in our inspiring Memorial Hall depicts this event vividly. It provides all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the foundations of our Republic, and the tremendous gift to humanity afforded by the American Revolution, and the freedoms that were recognized by the United States Constitution.

08/06/2026

Did you know that Masons championed the first American highway system?

President and Shriner Warren G. Harding dedicated the Zero Milestone monument during the Shriners Imperial Session in Washington DC in June 1923. Decades before the Eisenhower Highway project, the milestone monument was part of a national project to build car-friendly roads throughout the country. Masons publicly supported the project and encouraged states to contribute funding. Improved roads meant better commerce and reliable transportation for annual, biennial, and triennial Masonic conferences.

Library of Congress, colorized.

07/14/2026

Last night, members of Ansantawae Lodge #89 A.F.& A.M. Played our annual game of softball against the Milford Yankees Special Olympians. Although the score may have shown that the Yankees won 12 to 4, in the end, I think we all won.

07/04/2026

06/23/2026

Lots of photos from the June 19th Masonic Service Awards,  Robert Hall Family scholarships,  Elmer Manley Memorial scholarships and the Master’s Achievenent Award.

06/07/2026

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT :
1. That a residential contractor  would have been hired to do renovations recently on the kitchen in a mid 1800s house in Madison, Connecticut, 
2.  That this particular contractor was a Freemason.
3.  That in the process of opening up a wall in that kitchen, the contractor would find a strange silver medallion.
4. That the medallion was created for the 50th anniversary of Ansantawae Lodge in 1909.
5.  That the contractor who found it was, himself, a Freemason.
6. That now, Brother Victor Braile as the current Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge, #70 (Windsor,Ct) would come here to return the “lost” artifact to Ansantawae Lodge via WM Jeff Scepanski!

06/07/2026

The Milford Assembly #4, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, presented its Fathers Degree on June 5. All Masons,who are fathers, were presented roses at the conclusion of the very touching ceremony. Thank you, Rainbow Girls!