Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts

In Honor of National Library Week: The Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library

The Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library is the historical repository of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. Its origins can be traced back to 1814, when the Grand Lodge purchased the personal Masonic library of R.W. Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris (1768-1842). R.W. Harris, the pre-eminent Masonic scholar of his age, authored the 1792 Grand Constitutions, and served as Grand Chaplain, Junior Grand Warden, and Deputy Grand Master throughout his life. The library began in order “to promote the knowledge and durable prosperity of our most excellent order.” The Anti-Masonic period of the 1820s-40s stunted progress in the library, but by the 1850s future Grand Master Winslow Lewis Jr. (1799-1875) led the initiative to revive the institution. He worked to establish a permanent Library Committee, and personally donated many rare items to the collection. By 1854, M.W. Lewis reported 255 volumes “catalogued, labeled, and placed in a suitable bookcase.”

Then in 1864, disaster struck when the Grand Lodge caught fire and destroyed the library in its entirety. The Grand Lodge persevered, buying replacement volumes and receiving donations from Brethren. In 1873, the Grand Lodge purchased a 1,200-volume collection from Bro. Leon Hyneman of Philadelphia and in 1880 R.W. William Sutton (1800-1882), Past Senior Grand Warden, donated 500 volumes. In 1895 Grand Lodge caught fire again, but though the building was damaged beyond repair, much of the library was saved.

Then in 1911, Past Grand Master Samuel Crocker Lawrence (1832-1911) bequeathed his several thousand volume collection to the Grand Lodge upon his passing. M.W. Lawrence was not only one of the most active and prominent Masons of his day, but he was also an avid book collector. When he died, his personal Masonic library was widely considered the most substantial and complete collection of any one individual in the world. His donation elevated the library to new heights, making it a world class collection and by 1917 Grand Master Leon M. Abbott (1867-1932) remarked “There is probably nowhere outside of England a finer Masonic collection”

Over the next 100 years the now renamed Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library has gone through its ups and downs (similar but not as extreme as the previous century). In recent decades the library relocated to the second floor of the Grand Lodge and its physical footprint was reduced. However, the library continues to maintain a truly impressive collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, objects and ephemera that tell the story of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and Freemasonry around the world. With the 300th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge just around the corner, the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library will no doubt continue to play a vital role in the preservation, care, and education of Freemasonry for years to come.

The Library is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., except on holidays when the Grand Lodge is closed. To contact the librarian, call 617.426.6040 x4221 or email [email protected].

Explore some our digital resources here: https://massfreemasonry.org/boston-masonic-building/samuel-crocker-lawrence-library/digital-collections/

Interested in helping out at the library? Fill out this interest form here: https://forms.office.com/r/zscVeHCsGf

New from the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library: Moore's Masonic Monthly has been digitized!

Between 1842 and 1873, Charles W. Moore (Corresponding Grand Secretary 1833-1873, Deputy Grand Master 1868) published Moore's Masonic Magazine. A prolific publisher, this was the third Masonic publication he produced, and the longest lasting one, ending only with his death in 1873.

The magazine covered news and articles from all Masonic bodies both local and internationally. With an index at the start of each volume, it today serves as a valuable period source for historical information on lodges, chapters, councils, and commanderies (encampments) which were active during the era. There are also articles exploring the earliest years of Freemasonry in America and the symbolism of the fraternity.

Thanks to SCL Library volunteer, Bro. John Wilder, for digitizing the magazine which consists of 32 volumes, 384 issues, and 12,672 pages. All are now available for public viewing at the link below:

https://archive.org/details/moore-freemasons-monthly-magazine/Moore%20Freemasons%20Monthly%20Magazine%20v01%201842/mode/1up

On this day, 250 years ago, the Brethren of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge presided over the funeral procession and re-interment of their Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Joseph Warren.

As Grand Master, Joseph Warren greatly expanded Freemasonry in Massachusetts simultaneous to his patriot activities that ignited the American Revolution. After his untimely death at the Battle of Bunker Hill, his body was mutilated and thrown in a shallow grave by British Regulars. He remained there for nearly a year until the arrival of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery and subsequent British evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776. Within weeks, search efforts to recover Warren’s body were successful, being led by his blood-brother John Warren (who later joined the Craft in 1780) and Masonic-brother Paul Revere who successfully identified Joseph’s body from the artificial teeth and wire he’d made for him. After the discovery of his body, on April 4th Warren was laid in state at the Massachusetts State House until April 8th when the Massachusetts Grand Lodge led his funeral procession to King’s Chapel.

There, a young Perez Morton was chosen by the Grand Lodge to deliver the funeral oration for their departed Grand Master. Morton, gave a powerful address to those in attendance, reflecting on his leadership in the patriot cause, but with a special emphasis on the Masonic virtues that made him the great leader that he was. During his oration, Morton makes a remarkable connection, linking the life and death of Joseph Warren to the legend of the Third Degree:

“The Fates, as tho’ they would reveal, in the person of our GRAND MASTER, those Mysteries, which have so long lain hid from the World, have suffered him, like the great Master builder in the Temple of old to fall by the Hands of Ruffians, and be again raised in Honor and Authority: We searched in the Field for the murdered Son of a Widow, and we found him, by the Turf and the Twig, buried on the Brow of a Hill, tho’ not in a decent Grave- and tho’ we must again commit his Body to the Tomb, yet our Breasts shall be the Burying Spot of his Masonic Virtues, and there-
‘An adamantine Monument we’ll rear,’
‘with this Inscription” Masonry “Lies here.’”

Understood immediately by Masons in attendance, Morton urges them to commit the Masonic virtues of Warren into their own hearts. With Warren’s death there was a sense that something great and irreplaceable was lost, but it was their responsibility as Masons to labor on and continue his work.

💖 Today, on National Caregivers Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all caregivers, more especially this of ours! Today we highlight The Overlook and their dedication and heart to make a significant impact on the lives of many. How do you show appreciation for the caregivers in your life? Share your thoughts!

Please join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to our Grand Master, Timothy Shawn McGavin! 🎂

🇺🇲 Before there was a nation, there was this Grand Lodge.

⏳️ On December 29, 2025, Massachusetts Freemasons gathered once again to do what they have done longer than any Grand Lodge in the Western Hemisphere.

Most Worshipful Brother Timothy S. McGavin was installed as the 92nd Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. Watch the recap!

📹: HawkVisuals

Installing Our 92nd Grand Master, Most Worshipful Timothy Sean McGavin On Monday, December 29, 2025 the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts gathered for a memorable day of tradition, fellowship, and celebration during Install...

Most Worshipful Timothy S. McGavin has just been installed as our 92nd Grand Master.
Brother McGavin belongs to Golden Rule Lodge AF & AM in Wakefield, MA.

He begins the first of three terms as Grand Master in the presence of hundreds of friends and Brethren from all over the world.

Please join us in wishing a Happy Birthday to our Grand Master, George F. Hamilton! 🎂

At the December 10th, Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication, the Masters, Wardens, and Members of Grand Lodge elected R.W. Paul R. Gaudet of Middlesex Lodge, Framingham, to serve as Junior Grand Warden of the for 2026.‬ Congratulations Brother Gaudet!