Made with Xara 4111 Dodomeade Street, Chester, Va. P.O. Box 2905, Chester, VA, 23831-8477 Dinner: 6:30 PM, Stated Meeting: 7:30 PM Meets Second Thursday Lodge Phone: (804) 796-5773Brother Fred Bowen of Chester 94 was made Perfect Ashlar 1997. Brother Fred was raised in the Children's Masonic Home. He has been a Mason since 1945, He and some of his Brothers from the home have blessed us with a song from their youth. Upon requests of many of our Brothers the song is displayed below.Brother MasonKing Solomon was the ruler round the wisest of the nations.He founded that great Brotherhood we all know as Freemasons.For Masons are as brothers, we suppose they all are kin.Unless a man is kind and good, he cannot enter in.In sickness or in trouble, they are bound to help each other.No matter where a Mason goes, he'll always find a brother.George Washington was proud to be a Mason kind and true.And all of you are Masons and are mighty good ones too.CHORUS:O, Brother Masons, Brothers kind and true,When you're in trouble, they will stand by you.Across the sea, wher're you be or in your native land,Wherever there's a Mason, you will find a helping hand.Lodge number three, they made Hiram Brown a Mason.He hadn't heard of billy goats which was initiation.When Hiram Brown came in the room, the goats began to sniff.They butted in and butted out, poor Hiram had the biff.They kicked poor Hiram all around, they knew he had no gumption,They threw ice water on him 'til he said he had consumption.And when he said he'd catch a cold, they said none of your lip,You cannot be a Mason boy unless you'd had the grippe.BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASONIC HOME1890 Masonic Home was estabished by a gift of 44 1/2 acres, 10 room farm house, barn and stable, and $5,000.00 from Captain Alexander Gulick Babcock. Babcock was a native of New York who came South to join the Confederate Army. Dr. George Potts, a veterinarian, told him of the need for a Children's Home. Through the efforts of these two men the Masonic Home began. 1890 June 24, first chidren arrived. They were the three sons of the first matron, Mrs. Lucy T. Acree. Their names were Frand Acree, Smith Acree and Campbell Acree. By August Moffett King, H. Wayth King, Berry Stainback, Charlie Stainback and Charles Walton. 1893 Dr. Potts donated trees to plant down the lane. A few of these are still standing. 1894 New building to house children erected. It was razed in 1972. 1895 First girls admitted. 1895-1898 First adult lived at Home. Past Grand Master Dr. John R. Purdie. 1920's Babcock Memorial Building erected to house girls' dormintories. It is now Masonic Home Administration Offices. 1922 Fifty-five acres purchased at a cost of $20,500.00. Makes total acreage 99 1/2 1925 Masonic Home Press founded. 1932 Peak year for number of children in Home - 258. 1935 Robert S. Barrett Infirmary built. It is now offices for Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery. 1949 Turner Memorial Chapel built. 1955 May 1, Home for Adults opened. 1960 Second wing of Adult Home opened. 1965 14.67 acres sold for construction of Rt. 64; 15.25 acres isolated from farm sold. 1965 Dairy operations closed after Johnny Hall, farm manager, was killed by a bull. 1966 Farm and dairy herd dissoluted. 1972 Last child leaves Children's Home. 1979 Masonic Home Press closes. 1890-1972 Eight hundred and thirty-five children (835) were raised in the Home. CARE CENTER HISTORYand Other Additions1956-1999 1956-1960 Second floor of dormintory in Babcock Building 1961-1976 Robert S. Barrett Infirmary for children renovated to Adult Hospital Dedicated for adults in 1963. 1976 New Care Center attached to Adult Buildings. Dedication August 21, 1976. 1992 New Card Center to replace Old Care Center. Dedication October 10, 1992. 1995 Independent Living Community. Dedication January l7, 1995 1996 Dining Room - Kitchen Addition. Cornerstone Laying Ceremony July 27, 1996. 2004 Richard E. Brown Memory Support Center. Dedication May 15, 2004. Richard E. Brown was an alumnus of the Masonic Home for Children. He gave a $1,000, 000.000 and more to the Home. Our Brother FredBy Norm Stevens There is a man, whom you may know,He's been a Mason, since long ago,Was raised twice, by Masonry,As a child, and third degree. Mahova was his home of yore,And a Brother for three score,A perfect ashlar, with that foresaid,A man of men, Our Brother Fred. From a lad, unto manhood,While spreading love, and brotherhood,He is God's tool, for us to see,Living the life, of Masonry. Never flashy, always there,Supporting all, without fanfare,A smiling face, an open hand,A friendly word, at his command. Of all the symbols, we may see,Here is a pillar of Freemasonry,And from our hearts, may it be said,Our lives enriched, by Brother Fred. The requirements for the Perfect Ashlar Award are: "Unselfish service, brotherhood, absolute fidelity to the Craft in word and deed, willingness to serve, as well as the ability to communicate harmony are some of the qualities considered in selecting the brother for the Perfect Ashlar Award." This is from the 1984 Grand Lodge of Virginia Proceedings the first year the award was presented.
Made with Xara
4111 Dodomeade Street, Chester, Va. P.O. Box 2905, Chester, VA, 23831-8477 Dinner: 6:30 PM, Stated Meeting: 7:30 PM Meets Second Thursday Lodge Phone: (804) 796-5773
Brother Fred Bowen of Chester 94 was made Perfect Ashlar 1997. Brother Fred was raised in the
Children's Masonic Home. He has been a Mason since 1945, He and some of his Brothers from the home
have blessed us with a song from their youth. Upon requests of many of our Brothers the song is
displayed below.
Brother Mason
King Solomon was the ruler round the wisest of the nations.
He founded that great Brotherhood we all know as Freemasons.
For Masons are as brothers, we suppose they all are kin.
Unless a man is kind and good, he cannot enter in.
In sickness or in trouble, they are bound to help each other.
No matter where a Mason goes, he'll always find a brother.
George Washington was proud to be a Mason kind and true.
And all of you are Masons and are mighty good ones too.
CHORUS:
O, Brother Masons, Brothers kind and true,
When you're in trouble, they will stand by you.
Across the sea, wher're you be or in your native land,
Wherever there's a Mason, you will find a helping hand.
Lodge number three, they made Hiram Brown a Mason.
He hadn't heard of billy goats which was initiation.
When Hiram Brown came in the room, the goats began to sniff.
They butted in and butted out, poor Hiram had the biff.
They kicked poor Hiram all around, they knew he had no
gumption,
They threw ice water on him 'til he said he had consumption.
And when he said he'd catch a cold, they said none of your lip,
You cannot be a Mason boy unless you'd had the grippe.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASONIC HOME
1890 Masonic Home was estabished by a gift of 44 1/2 acres, 10 room farm house, barn and stable, and
$5,000.00 from Captain Alexander Gulick Babcock. Babcock was a native of New York who came South
to join the Confederate Army. Dr. George Potts, a veterinarian, told him of the need for a Children's
Home. Through the efforts of these two men the Masonic Home began.
1890 June 24, first chidren arrived. They were the three sons of the first matron, Mrs. Lucy T. Acree.
Their names were Frand Acree, Smith Acree and Campbell Acree. By August Moffett King, H. Wayth
King, Berry Stainback, Charlie Stainback and Charles Walton.
1893 Dr. Potts donated trees to plant down the lane. A few of these are still standing.
1894 New building to house children erected. It was razed in 1972.
1895 First girls admitted.
1895-1898 First adult lived at Home. Past Grand Master Dr. John R. Purdie.
1920's Babcock Memorial Building erected to house girls' dormintories. It is now Masonic Home
Administration Offices.
1922 Fifty-five acres purchased at a cost of $20,500.00. Makes total acreage 99 1/2
1925 Masonic Home Press founded.
1932 Peak year for number of children in Home - 258.
1935 Robert S. Barrett Infirmary built. It is now offices for Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery.
1949 Turner Memorial Chapel built.
1955 May 1, Home for Adults opened.
1960 Second wing of Adult Home opened.
1965 14.67 acres sold for construction of Rt. 64; 15.25 acres isolated from farm sold.
1965 Dairy operations closed after Johnny Hall, farm manager, was killed by a bull.
1966 Farm and dairy herd dissoluted.
1972 Last child leaves Children's Home.
1979 Masonic Home Press closes.
1890-1972 Eight hundred and thirty-five children (835) were raised in the Home.
CARE CENTER HISTORY
and Other Additions
1956-1999
1956-1960 Second floor of dormintory in Babcock Building
1961-1976 Robert S. Barrett Infirmary for children renovated to Adult Hospital Dedicated for adults in
1963.
1976 New Care Center attached to Adult Buildings. Dedication August 21, 1976.
1992 New Card Center to replace Old Care Center. Dedication October 10, 1992.
1995 Independent Living Community. Dedication January l7, 1995
1996 Dining Room - Kitchen Addition. Cornerstone Laying Ceremony July 27, 1996.
2004 Richard E. Brown Memory Support Center. Dedication May 15, 2004. Richard E. Brown was an
alumnus of the Masonic Home for Children. He gave a $1,000, 000.000 and more to the Home.
Our Brother Fred
By Norm Stevens
There is a man, whom you may know,
He's been a Mason, since long ago,
Was raised twice, by Masonry,
As a child, and third degree.
Mahova was his home of yore,
And a Brother for three score,
A perfect ashlar, with that foresaid,
A man of men, Our Brother Fred.
From a lad, unto manhood,
While spreading love, and brotherhood,
He is God's tool, for us to see,
Living the life, of Masonry.
Never flashy, always there,
Supporting all, without fanfare,
A smiling face, an open hand,
A friendly word, at his command.
Of all the symbols, we may see,
Here is a pillar of Freemasonry,
And from our hearts, may it be said,
Our lives enriched, by Brother Fred.
The requirements for the Perfect Ashlar Award are:
"Unselfish service, brotherhood, absolute fidelity to the Craft in word and deed,
willingness to serve, as well as the ability to communicate harmony are some of
the qualities considered in selecting the brother for the Perfect Ashlar Award."
This is from the 1984 Grand Lodge of Virginia Proceedings the first year the
award was presented.
