For Immediate Release
Released February 2, 1996
for The River Reporter

The roots of Freemasonry in Sullivan County

SULLIVAN COUNTY - Early Masonic communications in Monticello were held in a brick building known as the old Curley Hotel -- on the present site of The Nowhere Bar -- at Broadway and Pleasant St., across from Village Hall, according to local historian Bert Feldman, a member of Liberty Lodge.

The present Masonic Building at 5 Bank St., now owned by The Times Herald-Record, has been home to the Monticello Lodge since the building's dedication on October 10, 1910. At its northeast corner, next to the Key Bank driveway, we read: "This cornerstone with its Archives taken from the ruins of the Temple burned Aug. 10, 1909, was relaid in the new with Masonic honors Nov. 18th following." The original cornerstone of the Curley Hotel reportedly weighed 940 pounds and contained an 8"x10" cavity which held a zinc box with some deteriorated old newspapers dating back to 1829.

The warrant for the first lodge in Monticello -- Sullivan Lodge #272 -- was signed by DeWitt Clinton, who was then the Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, and John Wells, Grand Secretary. Clinton had just started his first of three terms as governor when the petition was presented in 1811. Between then and the warranting of Sullivan Lodge in 1817, Clinton ran an unsuccessful bid for president of the U.S. (1812), and served as mayor of NYC (1811-1813). He had the distinction of serving both as mayor of NYC and lieutenant governor at the same time. Clinton was one of the highest-ranking Masons in the Union during the Morgan affair -- the infamous persecution which threatened the continuation of the craft.

Records indicate the earliest lodges in the region, both warranted on January 2, 1817, were Monticello Lodge #272 and Bloomingburgh Lodge #310. They were the only lodges in Sullivan County until 1858 when Lodge #460, to which today's Monticello #532 is the successor, was chartered. Callicoon Lodge #521, Delaware Lodge #561, Livingston Manor Lodge #791, Mongaup Lodge #816, and Fallsburg Lodge #1122 all formed since that time. In November 1992, Mongaup and Callicoon lodges merged, forming Liberty Lodge #521. In order to become part of the local Masonic tradition, request a petition from any member of the Fraternity. # 30 #

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry, or Masonry, is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, a universal society of friends who seek to become better men through their association with one another and their families. It is a 600-year-old fraternity with a 3,000-year tradition, the prototype of most modern fraternal societies and service organizations. Membership is open to men 21 years of age and older, without regard to race, color or religion.

Those accepted for membership must be of good character and reputation, and believe in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul. A candidate for membership is first recommended by a member of the lodge he wishes to join. His application or "petition" is read at a meeting and referred to a committee -- usually composed of three members -- who interview the applicant, normally in his home, so the applicant's wife and family may become familiar with the organization and its activities. After the committee reports back to the lodge, the applicant is voted on by secret ballot and, if accepted, begins the process of becoming a lodge member.

For more information, the names and phone numbers of the masters of Sullivan County's five existing lodges are: - Monticello Lodge, Angelo Vasquez, 914/344-8320 - Liberty Lodge, John P. Wells, 914/436-9115 - Livingston Manor Lodge, Edward V. Ackerly, 914/292-1019 - Fallsburg Lodge, Paul V. Bello, 914/794-7420 - Delaware Lodge, Kenneth J.W. Fraley, 914-292-5835.