At 2:16 AM -0700 8/11/97, Peter Trei wrote:
Nope. While many of the Founders were Masons, by no means all were. In particular, there is no evidence that Jefferson was ever a member.
Jefferson laid the foundation stones of the University of Virginia by strict Masonic principles. At this point he was 34th Degree, and hence all records were moved to the inner sanctorium, accessible only to Masonic historians.
Aside from a nit (it's not a temple, but rather a memorial: "The George Washington Masonic National Memorial" to be exact), this is largely correct. It's a really grand, funky piece of architecture, and open to the public, with free guided tours. Over 300 feet tall, and on the highest point in Alexandria, it has a *very* impressive view from the top, taking in all of DC and miles around.
We referred to it by the name others used: the Masonic Temple. (When I was growing up, in the 50s and 60s.). My hunch is that "Masonic National Memorial" came about when legal experts advised the National Park Service that "temple" may not be used in the actual name of any park. Possibly the Papist President did this, to diminish the role of the Masons. All part of the 6,000 year history of the Battle. Oswald was a Mason, of course.
Those in the Silicon Valley area might also want to visit the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose, a similarly funky building, belonging to an unrelated group.
Yes, I was transferred from the Alexandria Chapter, Knights Templars, to the San Jose Chapter, and instructed to find a job which would allow me to live in close proximity to the Sepulchre of the Rosy Cross. This is why I had to work for Intel, located a few thousand cubits away (several miles, for you heathens). My job there was arranged by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, both Masons of course. Praise be to Hiram! --Tim May, OTE, RC, KT There's something wrong when I'm a felon under an increasing number of laws. Only one response to the key grabbers is warranted: "Death to Tyrants!" ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^1398269 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."