Publisher Description

An overview of the mysterious history of the Freemasons and their presence in American society
With over four million members worldwide, and two million in the U.S., Freemasonry is the largest fraternal organization in the world. Published in conjunction with the National Heritage Museum, this extravagantly illustrated volume offers an overview of Freemasonry's origins in seventeenth-century Scotland and England before exploring its evolving role in American history, from the Revolution through the labor and civil rights movements, and into the twenty-first century. American Freemasons explores some of the causes for the rise and fall of membership in the fraternity and why it has attracted men in such large numbers for centuries.
American Freemasons is the perfect introduction to understanding a society that, while shrouded in mystery, has played an integral role in the lives and communities of millions of Americans.
Copublished with the National Heritage Museum.

Notes

The perfect introduction to understanding a society that, while shrouded in mystery, has played an integral role in the lives and communities of millions

Author Biography

Mark A. Tabbert is Director of Collections at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia and the former Curator of Masonic and Fraternal Collections at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, Massachusetts. His work has appeared in The Northern Light, Heredom, and American Studies.

Table of Contents

Foreword Preface Chart of American Freemasonry Introduction Chapter 1 Enlightenment Freemasonry in Britain and Europe, 1600-1800Chapter 2 Peaceable CitizensFreemasonry in Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1730-1800Chapter 3 Act Honorably Freemasonry and Federalist America, 1800-1835Part Two Building Freemasonry and American Community,1835-1920Chapter 4 The Foundation of Every Virtue Masonic Self-Improvement, 1835-1870Chapter 5 Safely Lodged Secret Rituals and Freemasonry, 1870-1900Chapter 6 Relieve the Distressed Mutual Bene?t in the Industrial Age, 1870-1900Chapter 7 From Labor to Refreshment Fraternal Fun, 1880-1910Chapter 8 Powers and Properties of Magnitudes Tensions in the Lodge, 1900-1920Part Three Adorning American Communities, 1920-2000Chapter 9 Plain DealingThe Rotarian Age and Freemasonry's New Personality, 1920-1941Chapter 10 One Family The Masonic Good Life, 1942-1965Chapter 11 They are All Exhausted Freemasons' Service for New Communities, 1966-2000Notes Suggested Reading Index Photography Credits

Review

"Visually, this is an attractive book: large format, profusely illustrated, just on the right side of coffee-table-ish." Fortean Times "The real history of Freemasonry is arguably more interesting than all the tales woven about it." U.S. News & World Report "Tabbert, curator of the National Heritage Museum and master of a Masonic lodge in Massachusetts, writes from the inside out, offering an interesting overview of the history of Freemasonry and its attributes." Choice, recommended "This beautifully-illustrated book is the best introduction to the Masonic past now available for brothers and for curious outsiders." Steven C. Bullock, author of Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840 "From colonial times to the present, Masons have always been central to community life in America. Mark Tabbert tells their story in a fresh and arresting way... This informative and visually delightful book introduces us to a vital aspect of our nation's civic history." Theda Skocpol, Harvard University "American Freemasons makes a significant contribution by providing a one-volume overview of the entire history of Masonic activity in what is now the United States. With illustrations drawn from the rich collections of the National Heritage Museum, this volume is visually appealing as well as intellectually rewarding." William D. Moore, University of North Carolina at Wilmington" American Freemasons draws from an extensive body of research to portray numerous anecdotes of Freemasons helping fellows and others... Black-and-white and colour photographs illustrate this engaging survey." Bookwatch

Promotional

The history of masonry in america through gorgeous illustrations and rich prose.

Long Description

With over four million members worldwide, and two million in the U.S., Freemasonry is the largest fraternal organization in the world. Published in conjunction with the National Heritage Museum, this extravagantly illustrated volume offers an overview of Freemasonry's origins in seventeenth-century Scotland and England before exploring its evolving role in American history, from the Revolution through the labor and civil rights movements, and into the twenty-first century. American Freemasons explores some of the causes for the rise and fall of membership in the fraternity and why it has attracted men in such large numbers for centuries. American Freemasons is the perfect introduction to understanding a society that, while shrouded in mystery, has played an integral role in the lives and communities of millions of Americans. Copublished with the National Heritage Museum

Review Quote

"Visually, this is an attractive book: large format, profusely illustrated, just on the right side of coffee-table-ish." -

Promotional "Headline"

The history of masonry in america through gorgeous illustrations and rich prose.

Details