Free & Accepted Masons of Washington

The Free & Accepted Masons of Washington, with the EIN 910226993, is a prominent fraternal organization in the state of Washington. This nonprofit is part of a long-standing tradition of Freemasonry, which has been present in the region since the early days of the territory.

History

Freemasonry in Washington began when the territory was still part of the Oregon Territory. The first lodges were chartered under the Grand Lodge of Oregon before the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Washington in December 1858. This was accomplished by delegates from the first four chartered lodges: Olympia, Steilacoom, Grand Mound, and Washington[1][4]. The formation of the Grand Lodge occurred more than three decades before Washington became a state.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

The Free & Accepted Masons of Washington are deeply involved in various philanthropic activities. These include educational scholarships, reading programs, disaster relief efforts, and research funding. Locally, many lodges support community programs, such as sports and civic activities[1].

Structure

Today, the Grand Lodge of Washington oversees more than 169 lodges with a membership of over 12,000 brothers. It maintains a strong presence in the state, with historical ties to prominent figures like Senator Henry M. Jackson and Elisha P. Ferry, the first elected Governor of Washington[1].

Notable Events and Recognitions

In 2013, the Grand Lodge moved its operations to a new building, housing both the Library and Museum and Washington Masonic Charities. Historically significant, the first Washington Legislature convened in a Masonic Hall, and many early state officials were Freemasons[4].

Relations with Prince Hall Masonry

Prince Hall Freemasonry, established for African Americans, has been present in Washington since at least 1870. Initially, attempts to integrate these lodges into mainstream Freemasonry faced resistance. It wasn't until 1990 that the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Washington officially recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington as regular and legitimate[3].