First Research Meeting of 2015

The following are recorded ‘minutes’ of a meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2015.  The intent of the meeting was to established a baseline for what information currently exists on the history of Kilwinning Crosse and to identify a practical path forward for authoritatively documenting known facts or ways to investigate unknown questions.

WHEN: January 31, 2015 – 7:00am to 1:30pm

PURPOSE: Met at Kilwinning Crosse Lodge 2-237 to discuss

PRESENT: Wor. Shelby Chandler, DEO for 8th Masonic District
Wor. Joseph Pack, WM of Kilwinning Crosse

ACTION ITEMS:

Wor. Joseph Pack

1. Review “Hidden Village” starting at page 380; follow up with Cookie Davis, chairperson of Historical Port Royal, regarding sources or known references
2. Metropolitan Lodge No. 11 regarding original metal “G”
3. Contact Paul Revere Lodge in “good will” pending action from Wor. Shelby Chandler

Wor. Shelby Chandler

1. Verify if previous contact between Kilwinning Crosse and Paul Revere Lodge of Massachusetts is still active
2. Secure agreement to access, review, photograph 1754-???? lodge minutes recovered in 1910.

EVENTS:

The brethren discussed several topics pertinent to proper masonic governance including the pursuit of documenting, and possibly publishing, the lineage and history surrounding the founding and evolution of Kilwinning Crosse Lodge No. 2-237.  A copy of the lodge history, penned by Most Worshipful James Noah Hillman was presented to Wor. Shelby Chandler for his own records and personal enjoyment.

After significant discussions, the brethren departed Kilwinning Crosse Lodge for the Museum of American History in Port Royal, Virginia.  After a brief tour of the relics contained within the museum, the brethren met with Ms Cleo Coleman of the museum who apprised the research team of previous interactions with the masonic lodge.  After much conversation, and the intervention of a previously unknown brother, Wor. Lem Thornton of Raleigh, NC, the volunteer staff of the museum were agreeable to the desire to learn about the foundation of Kilwinning Crosse as it applied to the foundation of the town in Port Royal.  Several resources and texts were sorted through by Wor. Shelby and Wor. Joseph.

After a brief survey of the works available in the museum’s bookstore, action items were established to contact some of the last known lodges to posses some of Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse’s lodge furnishings and to access the original minutes of Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse, recovered in 1910 by the Grand Master of Virginia and currently kept in the Grand Lodge Library.  Wor. Shelby suggested that the lodge investigate options for taking high resolution photos of the minutes for later review.

The team departed Port Royal at 1:30pm.

Some outstanding questions are…

1. Is there any connection between Kilwinning Crosse and “Mother Kilwinning Lodge No. 0”?  Some elements of our known history indicates there may be.
2. During what period of George Washington’s adult life did he visit the lodge (or did he at all)?  This should be clearly written in the original lodge minutes.
3. What personnel commonalities exist between lodge charters (common across both lodges)?
4. What notable (civic and masonic) brethren were members of the original Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse

Other questions and findings will be posted as they are recovered.  Anyone who wishes to be a part of this initiative, please contact Wor. Joseph Pack, master, or Wor. Andrew Coehlo, secretary, during the February Stated.