Reconsecration Day

As early as June 11, 1934, lodges started putting out masonic notices in newspapers regarding a special program by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. It was broadcast over radio on reconsecration day – June 25, 1934, Monday Night starting at 8pm in which a program of exercises dealing with the reconsecration of the Masons to the high principles of the order was rendered with officials of the lodges taking part, and membership also participating.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia had granted a special dispensation to any two or more lodges to meet in joint communication. The Grand Master had a proclamation that a meeting be held on June 25th and included written work in the order. Many lodges had assigned as many as 22 members to various parts in the days leading up to the radio program. The lodges performed ritualistic work prior to the radio address to observe Reconsecration Day.

At 9:15 pm, Dr. William Mosley Brown, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, delivered a 15 minute radio address from the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Most lodges were celebrating and listening to the radio broadcast in the evening. Some lodges had to install a radio to listen to the programming. The program was broadcast over radio stations WRVA (1110 AM) and WTAR. Although radio reception was poor with static in some lodges, and others couldn’t acquire a radio, lodges had an advanced copy of the address that was read aloud by a brother at the lodge to guarantee the success of the meeting.

Many lodges retired to have refreshments served by the Eastern Star after the broadcast had completed at 9:30 pm.

Both the Northern Virginia Daily and Warren Sentinel had a Masonic Notice advertising that Unity Lodge No. 146 met at its Masonic Temple at 8 pm and had refreshments. Other local lodges in Woodstock, Edinburg, and Mt. Jackson met at Edinburgh where a radio had been installed for the occasion to listen to the broadcast from Richmond, Virginia.

Newspapers

Northern Virginia Daily

Unity Lodge No. 146 put out a masonic notice in the Northern Virginia Daily on June 23, 1934 notifying the Brethren the consequence of a proclamation of the Grand Master of Masons of Virginia, resulting in a special communication at the Masonic Temple in Front Royal at 8 pm on June 25 for a special Reconsecration Day program including a radio program from the Grand Master. They urged all Masons in good standing to attend.

On June 23, 1934, the Northern Virginia Daily had an advertisement for Masons To Meet, instructing members of Woodstock, Edinburg, and Mt. Jackson to meet in a joint communication at Edinburg where a radio was installed.

Covington Virginian

Daily Press

Joint communication between Bredmond Lodge No. 241 and Peninsula Lodge No. 278 at the Masonic Temple in Newport News.

Ledger-Star

A three day program of Reconsecration started in Richmond on June 23, 1934. Mondays program featured a radio address by the Most Worshipful Master William Moseley Brown, grand master of Masons in Virginia broadcasting from the Washington Memorial in Alexandria. Ocean View Lodge had announced their intentions of hearing the address as part of their meeting on Monday.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

The Bee

Carter Lodge No. 323 of Chestnut Level observed Reconsecration Day on Monday Night starting at 7:45 pm.

The Daily Review

A radio had been installed in the Masonic Hall to hear the Grand Masters’ broadcast over radio station WRVA.

The Farmville Herald

Cumberland Lodge joined Cartersville Lodge and observed Reconstruction Day, followed by a radio address by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful William Moseley Brown. Scottsville Lodge No. 45. invited George Lodge No. 32 , Taylor Lodge of Centenary Buckingham County, and Alberene Lodge No. 277 to join in the state-wide reconsecration meeting on Monday night, June 25, 1936 with almost 100 men attending. Poor radio reception with static resulted in the address being read by H. R. Stephenson of Scottsville Lodge No. 45. Refreshments were served by Scottsville Lodge and the meeting was considered a success. S. R. Gault, the treasurer and a mason for 56 years gave a history of the lodge since 1878.

The Free Lance-Star

The News and Advance

Marshall Lodge No. 39 and Hill City Lodge No. 183 held a joint communication at 8 pm at the Marshall lodge hall under a special dispensation that had been granted to any two or more lodges to meet in joint communication. Twenty-two members had been assigned parts in the program ahead of time. Afterwards, a social session was held in the banquet hall with the Order of the Eastern Star with music and a toastmaster, John P. Harvey.

The News-Virginian

Lee Lodge met at 7:30 pm on June 25, 1934 for a program starting at 8:15 pm and extending to 9:15 for a special program from the Grand Master from 9:15 to 9:30, in which a radio was installed at the lodge hall. The Grand Master had broadcast a message from the George Washington National Memorial over WRVA. A special program was held with Dr. M. J. Payne past master of Staunton Lodge along with a musical program. The program attracted more than 100 masons to attend Lee Lodge with 25 visiting Masons. Refreshments were served promptly after the 15 minute radio broadcast.

The Portsmouth Star

America, Naval, Seaboard, Churchland lodges in joint meeting in Portsmouth Masonic Temple. The fifteen minute radio program on WTAR started at 9:15 pm for a Masonic talk by Worshipful Master Mosely Brown.

The Richmond News Leader

Radio WRVA (1110 AM) at 9:15 pm had a program featuring Dr. William Mosley Brown, Masonic grand master, address from George Washington Memorial at Alexandria to Virginia Masonic Lodges, ending at 9:15pm. Woodland Heights and Manchester lodges met in a joint session at the Masonic Temple in South Richmond. 360 Lodges in Virginia were expected to listen to the program. du Pont Lodge No. 289 was held on Monday at 8 pm in the temple in which a radio was installed, and the festival of St. John the Baptist was observed afterwards with refreshments served by the Eastern Star members.

The Roanoke Times

Liberty Lodge No. 95 invited lodges in Bedford county to meet at the lodge room in Bedford on June 25, 1934 at 8 pm to explain and review the written work of an order by Grand Master William Mosley Brown’s proclamation. A radio was installed in the lodge room to listen to the Grand Masters program at 9:15 pm with a short talk on Masonry. After ritualistic work, the group listened to a radio address delivered by the Grand Master, followed by refreshments served by the Eastern Star.

The World-News

Joint Special Communication between Roanoke, Vinton, and Salem at the Masonic Temple.

Warren Sentinel

The Warren Sentinel posted a Masonic notice on June 21, 1934 regarding a special Reconsecration Day Program at Unity Lodge No. 146. Refreshments would be served at the Special Communication at the Masonic Temple on Monday, June 25, 1934 at 8 pm.

Books

The Cable Tow