African American Masonic lodges
These are newspaper clippings about African American Masonic lodges in Florence. (1) Florence historian Lee Freeman notes: "Centennial Lodge No. 19 was the black lodge of Freemasons in Florence. We don't know when it was founded nor its exact address (only that it was located somewhere on...
| Format: | Electronic |
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Project Say Something: The Shoals Black History Collection
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| Online Access: | https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/622 |
| Summary: | These are newspaper clippings about African American Masonic lodges in Florence. (1) Florence historian Lee Freeman notes: "Centennial Lodge No. 19 was the black lodge of Freemasons in Florence. We don't know when it was founded nor its exact address (only that it was located somewhere on Court Street and by the 1959 had moved to Washington Street in West Florence) but by 1888 black Florence barber Constantine T. "Constant" Perkins, Sr. (1842-1908) was Worshipful Master; by 1898 cobbler and grocer Jacob "Jake" Wytch (1848-1927) was Worshipful Master and by August of 1905 Wytch was again WM. In 2015 Alva Crowson was Worshipful Master. Centennial Lodge was active through the late 19th century down to today. The Watcher was Florence's black newspaper which was published in 1888-1889."(2) Florence historian Lee Freeman notes: "Centennial Lodge No. 19 hosts a picnic in Cedar Park (prob. what is now Wilson Park) however their expected guests from Chattanooga and other points do not arrive." |
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