The Freemason Who Owned Stonehenge and Gave it Away

MWB Tom Hendrickson, LEO Red Wing Lodge #3, Red Wing, Minnesota

On September 21, 1915, Master Mason Cecil Chubb, set out to purchase a set of dining room chairs as instructed by his wife. Instead of chairs, on an impulse, he had the winning bid for Stonehenge and the thirty acres surrounding the site.

His purchase of Stonehenge, and his later actions, were a major turning point in the care and preservation of Stonehenge. His actions would help transform Stonehenge from a 5,000-year-old neglected ruin to a national treasure and probably one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, that almost one million people visit each year and people travel from around the word to visit.

Needless to say, at the time, his wife was not thrilled with his purchase, as all she wanted were dining room chairs. But as with most things in life, there is more to the story....

The Enlightenment: The Pursuit of Happiness, 1680-1790

by Ritchie Robertson

This very readable book about the period of history known as the Enlightenment makes for important Masonic reading as much of the philosophy and goals of the Enlightenment are embedded in our ritual. The period from 1680 – 1790 is thought of as “… as a period not solely consumed with rationale and reason, but rather as a pursuit of practical means to achieve greater human happiness.”

As you read this book you will quickly see the parallels between Freemasonry and the innovative and at times shocking new ideas that were formulated during this period that emphasized learning, rational thought and the pursuit of happiness that sought to make humans better.

Charles K. Coutant, Grand Master
June 18, 1886 – June 17, 1887
Reported at the 30th Annual Communication

At the Annual Communication, a motion passed that a commission be appointed to ask for proposals to locate a Masonic Orphan Home and School and a Home for Aged, Infirm and Indigent Masons. It also obligated 20-cents of the Grand Lodge’s 50-cents per capita dues be designated to support and maintain those institutions, and $10,000 from the General Fund was appropriated to help establish them. Later, a resolution passed loaning $5,000 to assist in establishing an Orphans Home.

The Grand Custodian said there was too much haste in conferring degrees. He suggested two, three or even six months between degrees so brothers would have a better idea of the lessons taught.

The Jurisprudence Committee voided the election of Papillion Lodge No. 39 held in June 1887, because only six members were present and eight were required to open the lodge. Seven visiting brethren also attended the meeting.

Fremont Lodge No. 15 received a request for courtesy Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees for a man from Tipton, Indiana. After proving he was proficient as an Entered Apprentice, the ballot was spread and he was rejected. The Grand Master ruled the ballot was irregular because Fremont Lodge couldn’t determine who should and should not become members of the Indiana lodge.

Lodge Installation

You have just been elected to be your lodge’s new Worshipful Master. Congratulations! So, what comes next? Well, first off, it is never too soon to start planning your installation because you’re not the only one who has to plan for the day, so do your installing officers and your lodge officers too. The first item of concern is what date you want to be installed on, as there are many other lodges being installed in January and your installing officers might have other commitments that day. In addition, if your lodge building is shared with other lodges, or with other appendant bodies (i.e. OES, JDI, etc.), you will want to coordinate with them on the date to avoid conflicts. Once you have the date figured out, which should be the best date that works for your installing officers and the majority of your incoming lodge officers, then get the word out to everyone as soon as possible.

You also need to decide what you want everyone to wear (dark suits, tuxedos, etc.) and whether you want to have an open or closed installation. Open means that it’s open to the public, so you’re going to have to plan for the additional guests. Something to keep in mind about whether to have an open or closed installation is that your installation isn’t just about you, it’s about your entire line of lodge officers as well. So remember, even though you might not want the public present during the installation because you’re not inviting anyone, your lodge officers might want to invite guests, so keep that in mind when making a decision. Also, remember that there’s no better way to show the public what Masonry is all about than to invite them to a lodge installation. Who knows, you might end up with a petition from one of the attendees in the near future! Something to keep in mind when making a decision.

Now that you have decided on a date, and whether or not it’s an open or closed installation, get the word out to your lodge members and also post the installation date on the Grand Lodge website. Go to their web page and post it on the Grand Lodge calendar, that way other Masons can see what date your lodge is holding their installation and can attend if they so desire. If you’re planning on having an open installation, then you should start working on ordering the refreshments for your attendees and also start making the programs for the ceremony too. It is also not a bad idea to purchase some type of gift (gift cards are nice) to present to your installing officers afterward. These men have taken the time to be with you on your special day, so it would be a very nice gesture on your part to give something back to them in return for their time and support. Lastly, once all of the preparations are complete, make sure that you know how to close your lodge after the installation is completed. This is your first time to be in charge of the lodge as Master and the last thing you want is to be nervous and not know how to close your lodge proficiently. Remember, first impressions are a lasting impression, so make yours a good one, Worshipful Master-Elect.