Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

President William McKinley

Mason

Photographed By Steven Berkowitz, October 22, 2008

1. President William McKinley Marker

Inscription. President William McKinley was made a mason in a building on this location May 1st, 2nd, 3rd 1865.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 39° 11.163′ N, 78° 9.884′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall. Marker is visible on foot from Loudon Street Pedestrian Mall in Old Towne Winchester. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Photos of Old Town Winchester (a few steps from this marker); Lee Snyder Lovett (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dangerous Liaison (about 400 feet away); Mary Greenhow Lee (about 400 feet away); Miller Drug Store (about 500 feet away); The George Washington Hotel (about 500 feet away); George Washington Lot (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

More about this marker. As the army was using the Market House, these meetings were held at 172 North Loudoun

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Street. The building was razed in the late 20th century and the land converted into a parking lot by the Commercial and Savings Bank. Marker was dedicated by the Winchester Hiram Lodge on May 1, 1965 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of William McKinley initiation into the Masons at Winchester.

Regarding President William McKinley. Towards the end of the Civil War, Captain William McKinley, later President of the U.S., was initiated into the Freemasons at Hiram Lodge No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons, in Winchester, VA. McKinley later recalled his wartime experience in which a Union doctor assisted Confederate prisoners, which led him to the Masons:
"Almost as soon as we passed the guard, I noticed that the doctor shook hands cordially with a number of Confederate prisoners. He also took from his pocket a roll of bills and distributed all he had among them. Boy-like, I looked on in wonderment; I didn't know what it meant. On the way back to our camp I asked him, 'Did you know these men or ever see them before?''No' replied the doctor, 'I never saw them before.' 'But how did you know them, and why did you give them money?', I asked. 'They are Masons, and we Masons have ways of finding that out.' But, I persisted, 'you gave them a lot of money, all you had about you Do you ever expect to get it back?' 'Well,' said the doctor, 'if

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

2. President William McKinley Marker

they are ever able to pay it back, they will. But it makes no difference to me; they are brother Masons in trouble, and I am only doing my duty." I said to myself, "if that is Masonry I will take some of it myself."

Additional keywords. Winchester, masons, masonic,

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

3. President William McKinley Marker

Virginia National Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

4. Virginia National Bank

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Steven Berkowitz of Annnandale, Virginia. This page has been viewed 975 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Steven Berkowitz of Annnandale, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.