Masons and those interested

Just saw on the History channel a show i like but happened to do an hour piece on Masons.

Cities of the Underworld.

It showed how they were involved in the building of much of the US architecture in the northeast and those in political power through the early years, mostly in the 17 and 1800's.

It was NOT about there societys "secrets" etc. but about what they have done and there deep involvment in things like the civil war and construction of underground tunnels as well as the slave railroad that helped get slaves up to Canada during that era. It also showed a lot of detail in there involvement around Phillidelphia and Boston.

Just an FYI for those interested. It was one of the best shows they have done... and I have found them all to be VERY good and very interesting.

:w

I saw that one too. Its pretty good. Its nice to see people talk positive about Freemasonry. There is so much misinformation out there.

George Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in a Masonic ceremony:

Potomac Lodge No. 5, F.A.A.M. - The George Washington Gavel

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/us.capitol/seventy.jpg

Many Civil War prisoners-of-war were released when it became known to their captors (other Masons) that they were also Masons. I believe Mason wore a red piece of yarn in their lapel to identify themselves.

THE UNDIVIDED CRAFT

Masons During the Civil War

I've always wondered how it was that people that weren't actual MASONS (as in bricklayers etc) could be Freemasons.

I mean...if you're going to invite everyone why not change the name?

Actual brick-layers/stone masons are referred to as "Operative Masons"...members of the Masonic Fraternity are referred to as "Speculative Masons". This is tied to the restructuring and origins of modern Freemasonry, where traditions from the Operative Masonic Lodges were adopted by the Speculative Lodges and were viewed from the philosophical point of view.

Operative Masons build with brick, stones, and mortar; Speculative Masons "build" with ideas.