George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia

The memorial is located in Alexandria, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C. If not traveling by car, you can take the metro. The monument is dedicated to our first president, George Washington. It is 333 feet tall and overlooks the Potomac river. It was patterned after the Lighthouse of Alexandria. A 36 acre plot of land was originally purchase by Masons. The first cornerstone was laid in 1923. Its winter hours, October 1 through March 31, are 10:00am with closing at 4:00pm. On Sunday it is open 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Website: http://gwmemorial.org/

  

This room is a replica of the Alexandria-Washington Replica Lodge as it was back in 1802. It is now a museum room where visitors can see original furniture and paintings from that time period.

This chair is one of the antique furniture pieces in the room.

As you enter the Masonic Memorial, several colorful stain glass windows embellish the walls. From Benjamin Franklin to General Lafayette, each window honors a famous person from our history. This window is of General Mordecai Gist in his uniform of the Baltimore Independent Cadets.

This mural depicts President George Washington as he receives a silver plate which is to become the Cornerstone of the United States Capitol at the Masonic Ceremony held under the influence of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Various monuments and even a wax statue honor George Washington who was our first president.

 

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial also exhibits the Shriners Hospital for Children. This exhibit of fezzes (Shriners hats) is in the Shrine Theater where visitors can watch a video presentation which introduces the history of the Shriners of North America.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit hospital which span across the United States. The resolution to establish the hospital system began in 1920 with the Imperial Session of the Shriners in Portland, Oregon. The first hospital was opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The hospital takes in children even when parents are unable to pay.

I enjoyed sharing this excursion with you and hope you have a chance in the future to visit The George Washington Masonic National Memorial.