Downtown in Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Masonic Lodge Building
(Marker to the left of the entrance):
Recognizing America's
200th Year of Liberty
Old Masonic Lodge Building
(Now open to the public)
Used by Trenton Masons
continuously since 1793.
(Marker to the right of the entrance):
Erected 1793
by Trenton Lodge No. 5 F. & A. M.
Restored and Rededicated
1916
Erected by Trenton Bicentennial Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 40° 13.148′ N, 74° 46.101′ W. Marker is in Trenton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Barrack Street and Lafayette Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trenton NJ 08608, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Elm (within shouting distance of this marker); C. Edward Murray (within shouting distance of this marker); James Kerney (within shouting distance of this marker); John Alexander Campbell (within shouting distance of this marker); John E. Curry Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Beulah A. Oliphant (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trenton.
Additional commentary.
1. Trenton’s First Masonic Temple
Following the war, American Freemasonry entered a period of steady growth. In December 1787, at the Second Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, warrants were issued for the formation of two additional New Jersey lodges, of which Trenton Lodge No. 5 was one.
Trenton 5 met in a number of temporary locations throughout the city until March, 1793, when a plot of land on Barrack Street was donated to them by Mark Thompson of Newton, New Jersey. A plan for a building was presented to the Masons, and on August 26, 1793, the cornerstone was laid for Trenton’s first Masonic Hall. The two-story stone building was constructed on the southwest corner of West Front and Willow Streets, very near its present location.
In the early 20th century William Fisk Sadler was responsible for establishing the Masonic Historical Association of Trenton. This group was responsible for purchasing, moving and restoring the original 1793 structure for use as a museum. The move and the restoration of the stone building were completed in time for the Annual Communication on April 21, 1915, when the deed for the Old Masonic Lodge Building was presented to the Grand Lodge.
From an article published on the Trenton Historic Masonic Temple website, http://www.mercer50.com/.
— Submitted December 1, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2007, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,905 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2007, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. 3. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on December 28, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on December 29, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.