Massachusetts Grand Lodge

The very first masonic lodge in the Western Hemisphere was founded in 1733, right here in Boston at a tavern near Faneuil Hall. Another early Mason meeting place? The still-operating Green Dragon Tavern , hometown hangout of Paul Revere, a mason. Today, there’s about one local Masonic Lodge for every two towns in Massachusetts. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the third oldest in the world, serves as a governing body. (Left) Egyptian Revival bench in the Grand Lodge features cresting carved with birds, stars, and pharaoh heads — important symbols in Mason mythology.
The very first masonic lodge in the Western Hemisphere was founded in 1733, right here in Boston at a tavern near Faneuil Hall.

Another early Mason meeting place? The still-operating Green Dragon Tavern, hometown hangout of Paul Revere, a mason. Today, there’s about one local Masonic Lodge for every two towns in Massachusetts. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the third oldest in the world, serves as a governing body.

(Left) Egyptian Revival bench in the Grand Lodge features cresting carved with birds, stars, and pharaoh heads — important symbols in Mason mythology.

(Photo: Jonathan Wiggs/Globe staff; Text: Christine Makris/Boston.com staff)

About the book

Boston's Secret Spaces offers tantalizing peeks into places ordinary mortals rarely see. Published in partnership with The Boston Globe and based on the exceedingly popular Boston.com feature (3.7 million page views and counting), the book takes readers behind the scenes at several sports hot spots, historical landmarks, and offbeat Beantown locales.