 |
|
|
|
Raleigh: |
|
|
Three NC Masons were elected US presidents--but who knows it?
|
North Carolina can express pride in having been the birthplace of three American presidents who were Masons. Only Ohio exceeds that, with four Masonic presidents.
Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk and Andrew Johnson are beautifully honored by a statue depicting them all at the entrance to the North Carolina state capitol at One Eden Street, Raleigh. (A statue of Brother Zebulon Vance was moved to make room for it.) Look carefully, however, and you will realize there is not a word about their having been Masons.
The Three President Statue was the product of sculptor Charles Keck. Harry Truman, one of America’s most famous Masonic presidents, came to Raleigh to unveil it October 19, 1948.
Who is responsible for this embarrassing omission in history? The statue committee? Our state government? Grand Lodge? More than 350 lodges? Hundreds of schools and universities? Historians?
There seems to be no sensible way to place a postscript plaque nearby. Instead, there is a plan now under consideration to name the Grand Lodge Building at 2921 Glenwood Avenue The Three Presidents Building.
It would surely show that our fraternity is officially proud that three of its own master Masons made it to The White House.
After all, sixty years late is better than not at all.
|
 |
Produced by the public relations committee of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Masons in North Carolina,
2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27628 MMVIII
Author/editor: Walter J. Klein wklein(at)carolina.rr.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
