On Tuesday, June 28, 2000, Washington Masonic Lodge No. 3 celebrated its 230th anniversary aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This historic meeting was attended by more than 80 masons from Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Washington Lodge is the oldest Masonic lodge in Maryland, having been originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on June 28, 1770, as Lodge No. 15. By 1794 the Lodge had become known as "Washington Lodge" and was No. 3 under the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

The evening began with the Master of the Lodge, R. Frederick Lunn, calling the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. After invoking the blessings of God upon the proceedings, the members and visitors sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and heard a brief history of Washington Lodge No. 3. Among the many historical highlights, it was recounted that Bro. David Stodder, won the original contract in 1795 to build the US Frigate Constellation, which was launched from Fells Point in 1797. Thus the anniversary meeting held below decks on the USS Constellation was particularly appropriate.

Following the history reading several presentations were made to the Lodge, including an original piece of wood, two original cut nails, and copper spike, all from the hull and keel, and a coin struck from the brass, of the USF Constellation, presented by Bro. William Ferguson, whose father was Master in 1914. The Master was given a tulip poplar gavel turned from the St. John's College Liberty Tree, which was blown down this past winter. This gavel was presented by Bro. Ray Lunn on behalf of his sister, Renate, a 1996 graduate of the College.

Presentation of artifacts from USF Constellation by
Bro. William Ferguson.

Proclamations declaring "Washington Lodge No. 3 Day" were received from Capt. James E. Kelly, USN, Captain of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation CV64, and Parris Glendening, Governor of Maryland. Martin O'Malley, Mayor of Baltimore and C. E. "Dutch" Ruppersburger, Baltimore County Executive, proclaimed this Washington Lodge Week in their jurisdictions, and Bro. William Donald Schaeffer, Comptroller of Maryland, sent a Certificate of Recognition.

Presentation of 50 star flag flown over the USS Constellation (CV-64) by
Bro. J. Alan Lytle, and Bro. James Toddhunter

Concluding the presentations to Washington Lodge No. 3 were three flags: a Baltimore County flag presented by Bro. Cory Ruppersberger on behalf of Bro. C. E. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, a 50-star flag flown aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation CV64, and an historic 34-star flag which flew over the USS Constellation this evening.
	Presentation of County Flag by Bro. Cory Ruppersberger.

The Masonic fraternity was organized in its modern form in 1717 in London when four old lodges organized themselves to revive their "quarterly communication." The first Maryland lodge met in Annapolis in 1750, and the fraternity has grown today to 120 local lodges in the Free State with some 23,000 members. There are about 1.8 million masons in the United States today with grand lodges overseeing activities in each state. In 1995 American Freemasons gave over $750 million dollars to charity - over $2 million per day - of which 70% went to the general public. The "Family of Masonry" is a constellation of inter-related organizations including the Eastern Star for women, DeMolay for boys, Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters for girls, and the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Tall Cedars, and many, many more groups.

After hearing the history of Washington Lodge and receiving the many presentations, the members closed with two verses of "America the Beautiful" and a benediction. The members then departed to continue their community activities, mutual support, and philanthropy that has marked the Masonic fraternity for 250 years in Maryland.