250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

I was thrilled to death to have received an invitation from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to join them in a three-day event to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party December 15-17, 2023.

The Boston Tea Party has always been an event in American history that has captivated me. As a schoolboy I was blessed with teachers who loved history, encouraged me and provided books on the subject. As a Young Master Mason to learn that a number of Freemasons and two Masonic Lodges were involved in this rebellion brought the subject even closer to me.

I considered this a trip of a lifetime to learn more, to be able to associate with decedents of the original party, and to be able to walk in mass with Freemasons and the citizens in Boston the same route, and to cheer as the tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor.

The Boston Tea Party weekend was a collaboration with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, The Sons of the American Revolution, and the Joseph Warren Foundation. I cannot say enough how this collaboration provided such a rich, deep learning opportunities, and a wonderful atmosphere to experience.

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 186 Tremont Street Boston

The festivities began on December 15^th with registration at the beautiful Grand Lodge building at 186 Tremont Street. It's one of my favorite Masonic places in the world.

The attendees had the choice to attend the Installation of Officers St. Johns Lodge or a Historic Tavern Tour. The tour was a walking tour seeing many of sites of Boston and visit several of oldest public houses in Boston. With time enough built into the schedule to sample a pint or two I was told.

I had a very strong desire to attend Installation of Officers St Johns Lodge. Why would I want to attend another Installation of Officers when I have experience hundreds you ask? This one is very unique from my perspective.

St Johns Lodge is the oldest Masonic Lodge in the Western hemisphere. It was chartered in 1733 celebrating 290 years. This was their 154th Installation of their Worshipful Master. It was being held on the 5th floor of the Grand Lodge Building in Ionic Hall. It is a beautiful Lodge room and there is a pipe organ that was to be played.

St Johns Lodge met in the Bunch of Grapes Tavern from 1733 to 1780s. On the sign of the tavern was a bunch of grapes that were made of wood. The Lodge had preserved those and have them on display at the Masters station that I wanted to see. 

The Installation was to be conducted by the Grand Master and all the Grand Lodge Officers. Seeing the work of another jurisdiction is very interesting, espically in Massachusetts for everything I have seen in the past is nothing but the best.

Ionic Hall had well over 200 attendees to my estimation. It started on time.

I enjoyed the nuances of the Massachusetts Installation. They were filled with majesty, meaning and efficient. The memorization was wonderful.

I enjoyed how they introduce and received the Grand Master, and how all the Officers knelt at the alter to take the obligation of their office. The memorization was wonderful. Total time according to my watch was 55 minutes to have all the Officers installed.

Worshipful Master Mark Davis St. Johns Lodge-Boston

Saturday December 16^th started bright and early in the Grand Lodge building on the 7^th floor in the Gothic Hall with the Boston Tea Party Symposium. The symposium was a lineup of seven incredible distinguished speakers who were academics and authors who had an expertise in a particular aspect of the Boston Tea Party. Their photos are below with the title of their talks.

Dr. Brooke Barbier "Radicalizing John Handcock: The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party

RW Walter Hunt " Freemasonry Before the Revolution"

Dr. Jayne Triber " Brother Revere: How Freemasonry Shaped Paul Revere's Revolutionary Ride

Dr. William Fowler A Fireside Chat with Dr. Fowler

JL Bell " How Bostonians Learned to Talk about the Destruction of the Tea

Dr. James Fichter " Tea: Consumption, Politics & Revolution, 1773-1776

Dr. Ben Carp " Teapot in a Tempest: The Boston Tea Party of 1773

The speakers allowed time for questions from the audience, and stayed afterwards so you could engage in conversation. It was a wonderful opportunity that I rarely encounter. By the end of the day, I can say I had a much more in-depth view of the Boston Tea Party and the issues surrounding it.

Many of the speakers stayed the entire day, for they brought books that they had written to sign and sell. This was a very difficult aspect for me. I am a Bookaphile. (a person who loves books) I was forced not to purchase any books. If I chose to, I would have to carry the thirty pounds of books on the Rally to the harbor for the dumping of the tea, and on the walk back to my hotel.

I must make another confession here. I was invited to a reception from the Grand Master, but I didn’t wish to miss two of the speakers. He understood and was gracious.

As I mentioned earlier that the symposium was held in Gothic Hall. The theater holds 400 people. Attendees were free to come and go throughout the day. I will say that Hall was pretty full the entire day.  

Gothic Hall is a decorated in a Medieval-Tudor England style. It is used by the Boston area Scottish Rite. I noticed that they were not using the traditional theater backdrops that we use in my home Scottish Rite. The costs of conserving those turn of the century is outrageously expensive. They had transitioned to an LED Wall. The cost of this LED Wall was $100,000. They did not get the cheap one. I will say it took me a few minutes to adjust to this new concept.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

The speakers made use of the LED Wall to display their power points. I will say it was just a perfect. Later in the day the Scottish Rite Boston-Lafayette Lodge of Perfection performed a play for us called “Treason to the Crown using the LED Wall for backdrops. I can say that it worked very nicely. The acting was wonderful, and the combination with the LED Wall system made a suburb experience.

Photo by Worshipful Joe Raviele

At the conclusion of the symposium at approx. 5;30 many of us gathered in Corinthian Hall to get our coats, and aprons on, and squeeze in a little more social time.

Corinthian Hall

We all wore the 250th Commemorative Apron

We exited the building and were met by another large group of Brothers who were waiting. We formed up on the sidewalk walking two abreast creating a ribbon of Masons as far as the eye could see. There were 1,000 Masons registered to walk Rally.

The procession was led by a color guard and the Most Worshipful Grand Master George F. Hamilton. We walked about seven blocks to the Old South Meeting Hall where we were met by thousands of people.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

We were guided to onto Milk Street to wait outside while a reenactment of the meeting about what to do about the tea sitting in Boston Harbor. I thought this was a great spot to wait for people watching. The Sons of the American Revolution were directly ahead of us. They were dressed in their colorful colonial soldiers’ uniforms. There were multiple fife and drum corps ahead of them keeping us entertained playing military music. There were hundreds of people dressed in colonial clothing. It was here that I felt that we had just immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of 1733.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

 

The temperature was 40 degrees and a slight cold breeze, but the warmth of Brotherly Love was glowing.

Christopher Cross, Me, Brad Greenbank Leo Lodge Indiana

I did run across a group of Brothers from Ohio. Several were only wearing a polo shirt with their logo on it, and a long sleeve tee shirt underneath for warmth. I asked one of the Brothers if he wanted my gloves or scarf for warmth. He said no as his teeth were chattering Ill be ok once we get moving. Got to admire those Brothers from Ohio for their dedication!

According to my watch we began walking at 7:40 down Milk Street turning right onto Pearl Street. Somewhere in the Post Office Square there were a detachment of reenactors dressed as British Redcoats. The passing crowd shouted Down with the Redcoats and I yelled Lobster backs in fun jest.

It was here that I saw streams of people coming in all directions to join us. We were shoulder to shoulder as we were funneling into the Wharf area. A squad of British Soldiers walking in file then began gently forcing its way thru the crowd and the crowd having fun booing, adding a sense of realism to the event.

We were now directly across the waterfront of the ships for the reenactment of the dumping of the tea. There was a Jumbotron with a great sound system directly in front of me which I enjoyed getting a close-up view.

The program began with opening statements from various politicians. I was impressed that Dr. Peter Abbott OBE The British Counsul to New England presented his comments.  He stated to the best of my notetaking “I am His Majesty King Charles III official representive. Yes, you heard that right, 250 years ago representatives of the British Crown were deeply unpopular here. Today I am honored to take part in the commemoration of the Boston Tea Party 250^th Anniversity. Latter on, I will be presenting Mayor Michelle Wu with an invoice for the 90,000 pounds of tea that were destroyed in 1773, With interest.

The crowd broke out in laughter. I was laughing so hard my notetaking stopped, but he said many kind words.

Next on the Jumbotron speaking was the Grand Master of Massachusetts Masons George Hamilton. He spoke for Freemasonry, and I couldn’t hear much else, for the crowd was cheering so loudly. As an outsider it appears to me that the Masons of Massachusetts are well known and loved here.

Here is an interesting point on the evening in 1773 there were 350 chest of tea which contained 92,586 pounds of tea that was dumped into the Boston Harbor.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

In 2023 a campaign was developed to collect tea for the 250^th Anniversary dumping. 2,000 pounds was donated from people across the world. The London East India Company donated 250 pounds. The same company that had its tea dumped in 1773.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

Upon the completion of the dignitaries’ speeches the crowd enthusiastically shouted Huzzah.

Our attention was then drawn to the ship on the waterfront where the costumed professional reenactors started the program. As the reenactors began to dump the tea. The crowd was yelling Dump the tea, Spill the tea, Down the British up the Yanks and Huzzah! One young woman nearby me yelled “No taxation without Representation! My eye caught hers and she said “What? I'm a history major and want to be accurate. We laughed and high fived.  

When an actor read the King Georges order to close Boston Harbor the crowd gave a tremendous Boo. When the narrator described the drafting of the Declaration of Independence the crowd broke out in cheers, and chanting USA.

The performance with the audience participation made for a wonderful event.

As I was walking the eight blocks back to my hotel. I realized that my voice was hoarse. I hadn’t yelled that much since my last attendance at a hockey game.

On Sunday the 17^th at 10:00 AM an Ecumenical Service was held for all those wishing to join together in a spirit of prayer. The Service was conducted by three of the Grand Chaplains (there are eight with two Emeritus)

Right Worshipful & Reverand Dr. Richard Haley-Senior Grand Chaplain,

Right Worshipful & Reverand Henry Peirce,

Right Worshipful & Cantor Seth Landau.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

It found it to be a inspiring service. The lodge room had a pipe organ and lodge room was filled by Christmas music, and inspiring hymns. Unfortunately, I cannot give the credit to the RW. Brother who was playing for his name was not printed in the beautiful program that was given for the service.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

Following the Service was a Celebratory Tea Party Brunch held in the Grand Masters Banquet Hall. There were 150 people in attendance from The Sons of the American Revolution, and invitees of the Grand Lodge.

After a magnificent brunch our speaker was Brother Christian Di Spigna Author and Chairman, Executive Director of the Joseph Warren Foundation. We also heard from Shawn Connely a direct descendent of Paul Revere.

Photo by Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele

Concluding the program, I made my goodbyes to so many wonderful people that I had the opportunity to share the 250^th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with.

This is Worshipful Brother Bryan Simmons the Chairman of the 250th Commemoration Committee for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Thru his hard work, and coordination of many, many diligent Brothers. The 250th Anniversary was a brilliant success.

I would like to personally thank the Most Worshipful Grand Master George F. Hamilton and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for inviting me to be able to share this once in a lifetime experience of the 250^th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

A special shout out of thanks goes out goes to Worshipful Brother Joe Raviele and the 250th Commemoration Committee for giving me access to the official photos of the weekend to tell a better story. 

For me this wasn’t just another wonderful trip to Boston a city I love, but an experience that I will always cherish. Thank you. 

Boston Commandery #2 Strawberry Festival

 

I had the distinct honor and privilege to attend one of the finest Masonic events and one of the preeminent Knights Templar events that I have ever attended, thanks to my Masonic Brother and Eminent Commander Dan Daily, and the Boston Commandery #2.

The invitation materialized because I was planning a trip to Boston that was a combination of business and pleasure. I was excited for this trip as a chance to renew my relationship with my Masonic Brothers that I had developed when I visited Boston as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 2011.

The Boston Commandery#2 Strawberry Festival is one of their premier events of the year. It is a social gathering held each year just before they stop activities for the Summer.

The Boston Commandery has a 221-year history that is deep, rich and unsurpassed. I would be amiss if I didn’t briefly mention their history and to add perspective for all to appreciate it more.

When knowledge of the Order of the Temple came to Boston. America was part of the British Empire, and King George III was its King.

Traveling British Military Lodges played an important role in the spread of Freemasonry across the globe. When on October 1, 1768, several regiments of British soldiers arrived in Boston, among them were several regiments that had military lodges. The 14^th Regiment (Irish) in which Army Lodge #58 was held, and the 29^th Regiment (Irish) in which Army Lodge #322 was held. A month latter the 64^th Regiment (Irish) in which Army Lodge #106 was held was added. It was these Army Lodges which brought to Boston a knowledge of the Order of the Temple.

These troops held regular Masonic relations with the Lodge of St. Andrew in Boston which had received its charter from Scotland. Within a year, a Royal Arch Chapter under the charter of St. Andrews was formed. The recordings of this first meeting were preserved and today we can see that at the meeting ten Brothers were present, of which six were soldiers, and four were members of the Lodge of St. Andrew. The British Soldiers were chosen as the top three officers. This implies that the soldiers knew the work of the Royal Arch. The orders of the Knights Templar were performed under the Royal Arch Charter.

From August 28, 1769, until 1794 the orders of the Knights Templar were worked in the Royal Arch Lodge.

Then from 1794 the Orders were continuously worked without a chartered authority, but the knowledge of the ritual was never lost. 

On March 12, 1802, a group of Masons who were Sir Knights, established Boston Encampment of Knights of the Red Cross. On December 21, 1805, these same Masons formed the Encampment of Knights Templar, and on March 15 of that same year, the Encampment of Knights of the Red Cross dissolved, and later the name was changed to Boston Commandery #2 Knights Templar.

Thomas Jefferson was President when Boston Commandery #2 was formed. –

The venue for the festival was the Daversport Yacht Club, located just thirty minutes north of Boston.   If you have traveled to Boston, you are aware that traffic in and around Boston, can be challenging at all times of the day.

Daversport is tucked away on a nineteen-acre picturesque waterfront peninsula on the Porter River that leads directly to the Atlantic Ocean. The idyllic view is just a classic Massachusetts waterfront view.

The gathering location was a courtyard surrounded by groomed gardens with a large tent pavilion. The weather could not have been more perfect, which given the rainy days leading up to the event, was a bit of a surprise to me.

Inside the tent, the tables were set with white linens for the 98 attendees. Waiters were roaming with trays of appetizers, a bartender was serving refreshments, and just outside the door was a well-proportioned table full of cigars.

The stage was certainly set to facilitate for the magic that occurs when the Masonic Brothers gather and engage in conversation, but we simply call it Brotherly Love. When this group of Masons meet, their conversation is relaxed, open, caring, curious, nonjudgmental and filled with humility. 

It was so good to see familiar faces and re-connect with acquaintances, as was well as meet so many new Brothers. It was the most welcoming of meetings, and as a matter of fact, they were very concerned about my welfare being from the Midwest, so they wanted to help me fit in. My Brothers at the table, as we waited our turn at the buffet line, conducted “how to speak like a Bostonian lesson”.  Yes, I took notes…

I was politely informed that for those natives from Massachusetts or MA, as they refer to the state, only have 25 letters in their alphabet, which does not include the letter R.

We had a lot of fun as they helped me learn the correct Bostonian pronunciation of chowda, lobstah, wotta, or the phrase, I pahk the cah in Havahd yahd.

Now that’s Brotherly Love!  

As we were waiting for the main course to be served, I was asked if I liked lobster. I replied that it is a delicacy in Minnesota, and I enjoyed the sweet tender meat. As I finished speaking the waiter placed a platter containing the biggest lobster, I have ever seen in my life in front of me. I had never seen a lobster that big back at my hometown Red Lobster!!!

It had been a decade since I had eaten a whole lobster and as I looked at that huge lobster, I was trying to recall the process to get to that highly prized succulent meat. I observed that the brothers sitting around be appeared to be true afficionados, so I followed their lead.

First, when eating a lobster, one does not utilize a lot of culinary sophistication.  No way around it, I was going to get up close and personal with my meal. I was going to be eating with my fingers, and it was going to be messy. That big lobster bib they handed to me was a suit saver, and I highly recommended that you use it whenever eating lobster, for that bib is all that stands between you and a multitude of lobster juices.   It will be come your best friend, especially if you happen to be wearing a suite and silk tie as I was. What commenced was a lot of cracking, pulling, and twisting with bits of shell and juices flying in all directions.  I used a tremendous number or napkins and wet wipes, and I wished I had thought to bring a roll of paper towels. Eating a lobster isn’t just a meal, but an experience, and a workout as well.

As I was busy cleaning the flying lobster juices from my glasses and getting my fingers caught in the lobster cracker, I found the conversation between the Brothers both uplifting and pleasing for they were discussing what activities they were planning for their Lodges and the York Rite. It was so exciting to hear of the plans for an upcoming installation of a new Worshipful Master and officers of a Lodge and that they were expecting 120 people to attend. The York Rite degree teams had been holding rehearsals and had a few last degrees to perform before the summer season, and they were already throwing out ideas for Fall activities. For me, as a Craft Mason, it was warming to the heart to hear that the state of Freemasonry is alive and in such good caring hands.  

After dinner the R.E. Grand Commander, Sir Knight, Eugene Blake Nichols, of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, held a short ceremony passing out some well-deserved recognition certificates. Afterwards I had the pleasure of chatting with him for a few minutes. What a nice guy.

But I must also include meeting WB Jim Orgettas, the Executive Personal Assistant to the Grand Master. He was so gracious when he refused my offer to pay for the dry cleaning of his suit, as he sat next to me at dinner, and I splashed him many times with lobster juice as I was trying to eat my lobster. For more information on WB Jim, see my blog post of July 21, 2023 “My Visit with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts”.

After the comments were concluded by the distinguished Brothers, we all gravitated out into the courtyard, where we watched the sun set in the painted sky, with a cup of coffee, dessert, and a cigar. We did what Mason’s do best, had more meaningful conversion.

As the evening waned, we began saying our goodbyes. Every hand that I shook and pair of eyes I looked into, was a wonderful masonic moment, for it was very much a “happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again” moment.

I think the nicest complement I received was when I heard the words, “We hope you make Boston your second home’”.  Upon consideration, I think I will try to do that. 

I especially wish to give many heartfelt thanks to my Masonic Brother who is the Eminent Commander of Boston Commandery, Daniel J.T. Daley, who invited me to attend and transported me to, this wonderful Boston Commandery celebration.

I am going to let the cat out of the bag. It was Dan who was responsible for the organizing of this event. It was with his caring heart, keen eye to detail, style and panache that brought a Strawberry Festival to a whole new level that I had not experienced. As Grandmaster, all we ever had in Minnesota was strawberries.  Let me just say, lobster versus strawberries. There really was not a contest.

My Visit with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

 

Grand Master George F. Hamilton and I at the Massachusetts Grand Lodge     

I recently visited Boston on a trip that was a combination of business and pleasure. I was excited for this trip as I was anxious to renew relationships with my Masonic Brothers that I had met when I visited Boson as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 2011. Renewing these friendships was the highlight of the trip for me.  I had attempted to return to Boston years before, but those trips did not materialize due to Covid.

I had been invited to the Boston Commandery #2 Strawberry Festival, one of the premier events for their Commandery, and one of their main social events of the year. It was a classy event and one of the most pleasurable Masonic events I have attended, but more to come on that later. There will be another upcoming blog post with photos of this event in the very near future.  It was so good to see so many familiar faces, renew acquaintances, and meet so many new Brothers as well. The words warm and cordial don’t describe the event well enough.

WB Jim Orgettas, whom I met at the event, is the Executive Assistant to the Grand Master of Massachusetts. He told me that the Grand Master had heard I was in town and invited me to come to the Grand Lodge and meet with the Grand Master. I was really stunned by such an honorable and courteous invitation. During the dinner, two Brothers approached me and offered to drive me to the Grand Lodge so I would not get lost.  If you have ever driven in Boston, you know how honorable those offers were. I stated I could walk as my hotel was not far from the Grand Lodge, Boston is a very walkable city, plus I could not inconvenience anyone to drive me 1.2 miles in Boston.  So, on June 21st I walked from my hotel on the Long Wharf to the Grand Lodge. It was a most enjoyable walk.

Jim Orgettas-Executive Assistant to the Grand Master

(When the above sign is lite-The Grand Master is in)

When I arrived at the Grand Lodge, I was greeted and escorted by Jim Orgettas to the Grand Master’s suite of offices. Standing in the doorway was Grand Master George F. Hamilton. He greeted me warmly and we had the most delightful, informative, and uplifting conversation.

In Massachusetts, the Grand Master serves a three-year term with Grand Master Hamilton’s term running from 2023-2025. The three-year term ensures continuity and ensures deliverable programs.

In the 288 years the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has existed, they have chartered a number of Lodges overseas, so the Grand Master does a lot of foreign travel. He is also responsible for developing programs to serve the 20,000 Masons in the state. It was exciting to hear about the new programs and efforts that Grand Master Hamilton is initiating. 

As I was about to depart, Grand Master Hamilton offered the services of his Grand Lodge to me. I asked to speak with the Grand Lodge Historian Walter Hunt. I had some questions that I knew he could help me with on upcoming articles that I was writing. Unfortunately, he was unavailable at that time, but arrangements were made for me to contact him later. 

I stated that I had been to this beautiful building before, but I wanted a few photographs for my blog. Before I knew it, the senior tour director appeared and took me thru the Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is located at 186 Tremont Street overlooking the Boston Common. 

The current building is the third Grand Lodge erected on this site. The current building was designed by the architectural firm Loring and Phillips. It was made of concord granite and completed in 1898. It has nine floors above the street level, and two below. 

The interior of the building houses six very large lodge rooms with six fully functioning pipe organs, the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library, which contains one of the largest and most important masonic collections in the world, administrative offices, and enough meeting space for All the Masonic bodies. 

The mosaic of the coat of arms for the Grand Lodge is on the exterior of the building and was placed there in 1966. 

The Grand Lodge is truly filled with treasures that are steeped in history. I don't have enough time in this one article to cover a lot of them. Here is two items I dont think you will find in other Masonic places that are of interest. 

This beautiful hand-crafted chair was a gift to Grand Master John T. Heard (1857-1859)

from the Brothers of the Craft to ensure the comfort of the Grand Master.

Please notice the eight legs supporting the chair...It was said that Grand Master was a big man and the Brothers didn't wish to see him embarrassed by crashing onto the floor. Now that's Brotherly Love!

The next three photos are "A Room of Reflection." We would call it A Chamber of Reflection, but we don't talk about that in Minnesota...ha.

The photos do not do this room justice. It truly is a work of fine art, and can only be fully appreciated by seeing it in person. 

Boston is my favorite place to visit.