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

Prince Hall Masons in Virginia

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017

1. Prince Hall Masons in Virginia Marker

Inscription. In March 1775, a Masonic lodge attached to the British army initiated Prince Hall and 14 other free black men as Freemasons in Massachusetts. Meeting provisionally as African Lodge No. 1, the black Freemasons gained full privileges in 1787 when they organized African Lodge No. 459 under a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. The first affiliated lodge in Virginia was established in Alexandria in Feb. 1845. After the Civil War, two rival Grand Lodges operated in Virginia. On 15 Dec. 1875, these two Grand Lodges met at First Baptist Church-Harrison Street in Petersburg and united to form the present-day Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, Free and Accepted Masons, Inc.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1775.

Location. 37° 13.424′ N, 77° 24.226′ W. Marker is in Petersburg,

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Virginia. It is on Harrison Street south of College Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Harrison St, Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gothic Cottage (a few steps from this marker); First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peabody High School (about 300 feet away); Virginia Voters League (about 300 feet away); Weddell-McCabe-Chisholm House (about 500 feet away); McKenney House

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017

2. Prince Hall Masons in Virginia Marker

(about 600 feet away); Lincoln In Petersburg (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017

3. Prince Hall Masons in Virginia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,510 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.