05/04/2026
Happy 150th Birthday, Hiram!
We are pleased to present you the History of Hiram Lodge. It is fitting it is presented at this time, as it was this same week, one hundred and fifty one years ago, that a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of Maine on November 1st, 1875, chartering this lodge, and Hiram Lodge met for the first time on May 4th of the following year, originally in the attic of the Cape Elizabeth town office on the corner of Sawyer Street and Ocean Avenue, in a location now within the city of South Portland. We read in the history that the idea of establishing this lodge went back further, to April, 1867, and, it appears that there was a difference in opinion of the Masons who originally proposed the petition, as there was a second request in May of that same year. The names of these Lodges as they appeared on the petitions were Evening Star and Pearl Lodges, respectively. A sample of Lodge activities and expenses during this inaugural period were as follows; The Lodge Hall was leased from the Town of Cape Elizabeth for $80 per year. Annual dues were assessed at $2 per year per member. The cost to furnish the Lodge room and ante rooms was $703.
A report from April, 1886 showcases the successes and charity that Masonry and its members are legendary for: “A communication was received from the Most Worshipful Grand Master in relation to a ‘Free Bed’ at the Maine General Hospital for the Masonic Fraternity. This free bed was established and is still maintained by the liberality of Rt. Wor. Bro. E. B. Mallett of Freeport, Maine. A Brother who had been suspended from membership for several years was reported as living in a distant town, sick and in destitute circumstances. A committee was appointed to investigate the case with power to render him such assistance as they should deem necessary. The committee found the report not exaggerated; a physician was called, the necessaries of life furnished and an attendant employed and he was comfortably cared for until his death which occurred shortly after. A modest head stone now marks his last resting place.” Another from October 16th, 1888: “Ten dollars was donated to the Masons in Florida who were sufferers by the yellow fever. Subsequently more than one – half of this sum was returned to the Lodge, the necessities having been abundantly supplied and the excess of contributions returned to the donors”. Further reading shows also, that they did, as we also do today at times, experience setbacks: On the occasion of The St. John’s Day Celebration on June 24th, 1890, after a parade of some 2500 persons, the main body embarked on a trip to Long Island for a clambake. The secretary remarked “As a culinary effort, the clambake was not a success”.
Other notable dates in our history include the first meeting at our present location on January 24th, 1899 (a brand new building) and the “Burning of the mortgage” party held in honor of paying off the debt for that new building on March 14th, 1923, held at the Falmouth Hotel. Throughout its existence, Hiram Lodge has produced one Grand Master (M.W. David E. Moulton, 51st Grand Master, 1924 – 1925), as well as 3 District Deputy Grand Masters.
In closing, we would like to say that while preparing this brief history, we took extra care to avoid a boring recitation of dates and events. Being a student of history ourselves, we tend to view the past in terms of “the good ole’ days”, where things were much simpler, plans were executed flawlessly and attention to detail was the order of the day. we discovered, however, through our research, that the Brethren of the past encountered the same challenges we face today, despite the fact that membership in Lodges has declined over the years, and reminds us of the lesson inculcated in the Fellowcraft degree, that we are all traveling upon the same level of time, in much the same way as our predecessors. This also gives us hope that, despite any changes to the Craft that the future may hold, Masonry will continue into that undiscovered country.
For those of you interested, we will host an anniversary celebration on May 12, with supper at 6:30. We will have a re-dedication ceremony by the Grand Master Elect, followed by a dance recital by the Stillson School of Irish Dance. This is a semi - public event. Please go to our website to RSVP!
Tuesday May 12,2026 Hiram Lodge will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary with Supper At 6:30pm at $10.00 per Adult and Children under 10 is $5:00 and will have a performance by The Stillson School of Irish Dance . This is a semi public event and RSVP Is Required for the meal for you as well a...
