The History of the Tremont Grand

The History of the Tremont Grand
The history of the
Tremont Grand and the
history of the City of
Baltimore are intertwined.
Built by the Freemasons
as the Grand Lodge of
Maryland Masonic Temple
in 1866, the building was
the headquarters for the Maryland
Freemasons for over 130 years.
Acquired by the Tremont Suite Hotels in
1998, the building was carefully restored to
its original grandeur and reopened to the
public as the Tremont Grand in 2005.
1. Painting in Chapel of Christ ascending, 1909
2. Interior of Oriental Room, 1909
3. Grand Lodge, 1910
4. Drawing of proposed banners and awnings
for Charles Street Facade, 2005
The Early Years
(1720-1819)
E
stablished as a town in 1729, Baltimore was a
point of departure for ships sailing all over the world.
Roads connected Baltimore to important cities to the north
and to the south. In 1770, a group of sailors became a part of
the Philadelphia Freemasons and formed the first Masonic
lodge in Baltimore at Fells Point.
Independence from England in 1776 created a new nation
and the State of Maryland. In 1787 the Freemasons in
Maryland gained their own independence, establishing the
Grand Lodge of Maryland.
The end of the 18th century brought growth and prosperity
to Baltimore and the Freemasons. In 1793 the Grand Lodge
of Maryland presided over the laying of the cornerstone for
the nation’s Capitol in Washington, DC. That same year, the
Fells Point Lodge was granted a charter and renamed
Washington Lodge No. 3.
1720
1729
1740
Bill establishing Baltimore as a town
is signed into law on August 8.
1743
1750
Rooms in the Exchange Coffee House were used as the first
Grand Lodge of Maryland. Twenty years later, the Grand
Lodge moved to the second floor of the Baltimore Watch
House on Guilford Avenue.
In 1812 Baltimore’s growth was interrupted by a second war
with England. Baltimore played a crucial role in the War of
1812 when soldiers stationed at Fort McHenry successfully
held off a British attack. That 1814 victory was
commemorated in a poem by Francis Scott Key, and became
the national anthem in 1931. Many Freemasons played
important roles in the war, among them General Samuel
Smith, in charge of the city’s defense, and Grand Master
Levin Winder, the Governor of Maryland from 1812-1814.
By the end of the war in 1815, Baltimore was the second
largest city in the United States.
1760
The Maryland Jockey Club becomes
the first professional sporting
organization in the United States.
First Masonic Lodge in Maryland is
established in Annapolis.
1770
1773
1780
First Masonic Lodge in Baltimore is
established at Fells Point by sailors
belonging to the Philadelphia
Freemasonry.
First United States stage coach route
begins running between Baltimore
and Philadelphia.
1775
Revolutionary War begins.
1776
United States declares independence
from England.
1783
1800
Revolutionary War ends.
1811
Construction begins on first federally
funded “National Road” to connect
the Port of Baltimore to Wheeling,
WV and the Ohio Valley.
1812
War of 1812 begins.
1813
Grand Lodge of Maryland and
Concordia Lodge move to old
Baltimore Watch House on Guilford
Avenue.
1814
Francis Scott Key writes “The Star
Spangled Banner” in Baltimore harbor
near Fort McHenry.
General George Washington, a
Mason, resigns his commission in
Annapolis.
1787
United States Constitution is adopted.
Maryland becomes the 7th state to
ratify the United States Constitution.
Grand Lodge of Maryland is established
at meeting in Easton, Maryland.
1792
First U.S. monument to Christopher
Columbus is built in Baltimore.
General Samuel Smith of Baltimore
Lodge No. 16 commands defense of
Baltimore.
The Baltimore Water Company, first in
the U.S., is chartered.
1793
Grand Lodge of Maryland presides
over cornerstone laying of the nation’s
Capitol. President and Mason George
Washington cements the cornerstone.
United States and Maryland history
Baltimore history
Concordia Lodge lends rooms for use
as Grand Lodge in Exchange Coffee
House at corner of Calvert and
Waters Street.
Masonic and Grand Lodge history
Tremont Grand history
Fells Point Lodge is granted a charter
and renamed Washington Lodge No.
3 (the oldest lodge still in existence in
Maryland).
1796
First sugar refinery in the U.S. is
founded by Garts and Leypoldt in
Baltimore.
1797
“USS Constellation” designed by
Mason David Stoddard, becomes the
first United States Naval war ship to
capture an enemy vessel.
American painter Charles Wilson
Peale opens the Peale Museum of art
and science in Baltimore.
1815
Samuel Kirk Company, first U.S.
manufacturer of silverware, is
established.
Cornerstone is laid for first Grand
Lodge of Maryland building at St.
Paul and Lexington Streets.
1815
Levin Winder, Governor of Maryland
and Grand Master, presides at
cornerstone ceremony for first
permanent monument to George
Washington.
1816
Baltimore becomes first city to
illuminate streets with hydrogen gas.
1. Watch House, site of second Baltimore Grand Lodge 1813-1869, print c. 1885
2. George Washington with letter to Maryland Masons, print c. 1885
3. Map of the City of Baltimore, c. 1792
4. Francis Scott Key witnessing siege of Fort McHenry, 1812
5. View of Baltimore from Federal Hill
6. First Maryland Grand Lodge in Easton, Maryland, photograph c. 1970
7. General Samuel Smith, defender of Baltimore in War of 1812
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Growth of Grand Lodges
(1820-1889)
T
he Masons, like the City of Baltimore, continued to
prosper. In 1822 they dedicated their first permanent
Grand Lodge of Maryland on St. Paul Street and Lexington
Avenue. The two-story structure was based on classical
architecture and would be their home for 44 years.
The American frontier pushed west in the 19th century.
Transportation in the form of the new Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad made the city an important trading hub. Established
in 1828, the B&O provided efficient and popular
transportation of goods and people between the Port of
Baltimore and the Ohio Valley.
Attracted to the city’s growing stature and prestige, the
Freemasons held their national convention in Baltimore in
1843 to standardize ritual and procedures.
In 1861, the growth of the city was once again interrupted by
war. The American Civil War almost ripped the nation apart,
1820
1830
1822 First permanent Grand
Lodge of Maryland,
designed by Maximilian
Godefroy, opens at St.
Paul and Lexington
Streets.
1828 Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad becomes first
railroad for commercial
transportation of freight
and passengers. Charles
Carroll, the last surviving
signer of the Declaration
of Independence, was
present as the Grand
Lodge and Grand Master
Howard laid the first
stone.
1830 First coal burning steam
locomotive, the “Tom
Thumb,” is introduced.
First operating railroad
depot in United States is
established at Mt. Clare
Station.
1837 Baltimore Sun
newspaper begins
publication.
1840
1840 First steam boat
company in the United
States, the Baltimore
Steam Packet Company,
begins business.
1843 National Masonic
Convention held in
Baltimore.
1844 World’s first telegraph
line is established by
Samuel Morse between
Baltimore and
Washington, D.C.
1848 First ice cream freezer in
the world is patented by
W.G. Young in Baltimore.
First American umbrella
factory is started in
Baltimore by William
Beehler.
United States and Maryland history
Baltimore history
Masonic and Grand Lodge history
Tremont Grand history
and Maryland was split between the North and the South.
During these years the Grand Lodge served as a federal court
house for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney.
Despite the difficult days and divided loyalties, after the war
ended, Baltimore’s economy returned to its economic focus
and continued to expand.
In 1867, the City of Baltimore acquired the Grand Lodge for
a permanent extension of the Court House, and the Masons
began construction on their second Grand Lodge. On
November 20, 1866, the cornerstone was laid for the new
Grand Lodge on Charles Street. United States President and
Mason, Andrew Johnson, traveled from Washington, DC, to
speak at the ceremony.
In 1887, 100 years after the Grand Lodge of Maryland was
established, the Masons celebrated their Centennial.
1850
1860
1870
1880
1856 First electric operated
elevator in the world is
invented by James
Bates.
1861 American Civil War begins.
1875 First monument to Edgar
Allen Poe is built.
1885 First commercial electric
street car line is built
from Baltimore to
Hampden.
1857 Peabody Conservatory of
Music, first academy of
music in America, is
established.
1859 First YMCA in the United
States opens at Pratt and
Schroeder Streets.
On April 19 the first
bloodshed of the Civil
War occurs when an
angry mob of Southern
sympathizers attacks the
Sixth Massachusetts
Volunteer Militia Regiment
as they travel from
President Street Station.
1865 American Civil War ends.
1866 City of Baltimore
acquires Grand Lodge
site for extension of
Court House.
Cornerstone laid for
Baltimore Grand Lodge
at Charles Street on
November 20. President
and Mason Andrew
Johnson travels from
Washington, D.C., to
speak at laying of
cornerstone.
Masons hire architect
E.G. Lind to design new
Grand Lodge.
1867 Grand Lodge lays
cornerstone for Baltimore
City Hall.
1869 New Grand Lodge is
dedicated.
1876 Johns Hopkins University
is established.
U.S. Centennial
Celebration takes place.
Grand Masonic Fair held
in Baltimore.
1878 First animal welfare
association, American
Humane Society, is
established in Baltimore.
1879 First synthetic
sweetening agent,
saccharin, developed at
Johns Hopkins
University.
1886 First public library
system with branches in
the United States, the
Enoch Pratt Free Library,
is established.
1887 Centennial of the Grand
Lodge of Maryland is
celebrated, Grand
Master Thomas J.
Shryock presiding.
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1. Grand Masonic Lodge on St. Paul Street, c. 1822
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2. “Grasshopper”, the B&O Railroad’s first engine, c. 1820
3. Map of the City of Baltimore by Thomas Poppleton, c. 1823
4. Attack on the 6th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers
in Baltimore, April 19,1861
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5. Frank Leslie’s Newspaper showing St. Paul Grand Lodge,
proposed Charles Street Grand Lodge, and laying of
cornerstone, 1866
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6. Medal from Maryland Masons Centennial, 1887
7. Dedication program from unveiling of Baron De Kalb
statue, 1886
8. Reception invitation to Maryland Masons Centennial, 1887
9. Grand Master Thomas J. Shryock, c. 1886
10. Postcard of the Grand Lodge, c. 1889
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11. Grand Lodge furnace room, c. 1890
Fire, World War, and Rebuilding
(1890-1919)
O
n Christmas Day in 1890, a fire which started on the
ground floor nearly destroyed the Grand Lodge. Except
for the records of the Washington and Concordia Lodges,
most of the Masons’ records were lost. The Masons quickly
regrouped, and on September 12, 1893, the newly rebuilt
Temple designed by the architectural firm of Carson & Sperry
was dedicated.
In 1904, fire struck again. On February 7, the Great Fire of
1904 started in a warehouse at the harbor and quickly swept
through Baltimore’s business district, threatening the Grand
Lodge. The Masons removed all of the records and other
items of value. Fortunately, the building was spared when the
winds shifted the fire away from the building. However, in
1908, fire struck and destroyed the third and fourth floors of
the Grand Lodge, with the lower floors suffering smoke and
water damage. Once again it was time to rebuild.
dedicated. That impressive structure was the Grand Lodge of
Maryland until the mid 1990s.
Baltimore rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1904, and the
renewed city saw periods of stability and change during the
early 20th century. In 1914, when Baltimore celebrated the
centennial of the Star Spangled Banner, the entire block in
front of the Grand Lodge was decorated by the Masons with
an illuminated arch spanning Charles Street.
1917 marked the beginning of World War I for the United
States. Baltimore was heavily involved in the war effort and
prospered as a manufacturing and transportation center.
On November 16, 1909, a newly restored Grand Lodge
designed by Carson & Sperry, with an added fifth floor, was
1890
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1900
1890 First steam tanker in America,
“The Maverick,” is built by
W.T. Malster.
Christmas Day fire, possibly
caused by faulty electrical
wiring, nearly destroys
Masonic Temple. Only
Concordia Lodge’s records are
removed intact.
1892 First Ouija board is invented
and patented by Isaac and
William Fuld.
1893 Newly rebuilt Grand Lodge is
dedicated on September 12.
1897 First practical submarine in
United States is invented by
Simon Lake.
1891 Bromo-Seltzer, the first
commercial stomach antacid
seltzer, is made by Captain
Isaac E. Emerson.
Masons hire architectural firm
of Carson & Sperry to redesign
the Grand Lodge.
United States and Maryland history
Baltimore history
Masonic and Grand Lodge history
Tremont Grand history
1900 Duckpin bowling is introduced
at Diamond Bowling Lanes.
1901 Grand Lodge lays cornerstone
for 5th Regiment Armory.
1904 Great Fire of Baltimore begins
on February 7.
Records and valuable items
are removed from Grand Lodge
but building is spared when
winds shift. Fire comes as
close as Lexington and St. Paul
Streets.
Baltimore Museum of Art
established.
1910
1905 Grand Lodge lays cornerstone
of the Maryland Institute
College of Art, on Mount Royal
Avenue.
1912 Grand Lodge lays cornerstone
of Baltimore Polytechnic
Institute, at North Avenue and
Calvert Street.
1908 Fire destroys third and fourth
floors of Grand Lodge.
1914 Centennial of the “Star
Spangled Banner” is celebrated.
Masons hire architect Joseph
Evans Sperry to redesign the
Grand Lodge.
1909 Newly rebuilt Grand Lodge
with added fifth floor is
dedicated on November 16.
Grand Lodge decorates the
block in front of its building,
including an illuminated arch
spanning Charles Street.
1916 Black & Decker introduces first
portable electric drill with
pistol grip.
Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra, first municipal
orchestra supported by public
funds, is established.
1917 United States involvement in
World War I begins.
Maryland Grand Master
Thomas J. Shryock orders all
lodges to display American
flag in every lodge room.
All lodges are opened to public
for patriotic ceremonies, with
American flags escorted to
places of honor in the
“Masonic East”.
Grand Lodge is kept open for
reception of all military
personnel. Dances are held in
Marble Hall.
1918 Armistice is signed ending
World War I.
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1. Aftermath of the Great Baltimore Fire, 1904
2. Veterans Association medal, 1892
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3. Grand Lodge fire, December 25, 1890
4. Interior of Commandery (now the Edinburgh Room), 1909
5. Interior of Roman Room, 1909
6. Dedication Program, newly rebuilt Grand Lodge, 1909
7. Overview of Baltimore, 1914
8. WWI dance ticket, 1918
9. Masonic Star Spangled Banner Centennial cups, 1914
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10. Masonic decorations, Star Spangled Banner Centennial, 1914
The Masons Move On
(1920-1997)
A
fter War World I, Baltimore continued to grow.
But in 1929 the American stock market crashed and
the Great Depression began. The economic crisis took a
heavy toll on the city and its citizens.
beyond Baltimore’s borders, and many people moved to the
suburbs. The city, which had grown in popularity every year
since the mid-19th century, actually began to shrink as
adjacent counties experienced tremendous growth.
In 1941 the United States entered World War II and
Baltimore rebounded by contributing to the war effort
through shipbuilding, aviation, and armaments. The Grand
Lodge was turned into an air raid shelter, and Masonic
services were established for the welfare of Masons in the
defense of their country.
This shift to the suburbs, coupled with the physical
limitations of its downtown building, caused the Masons to
consider a move of their own. After the 1987 Bicentennial
Celebration of the founding of the Maryland Freemasons, the
Masons decided to make use of a large parcel of land they
owned north of the city for a new Grand Lodge. In 1993,
construction of a new complex in Cockeysville began, and
the new Grand Lodge of Maryland was dedicated there in 1996.
After the War ended in 1945, Baltimore’s economy expanded
and thrived. As their standard of living increased, Baltimore
City residents were attracted to new housing developments
1920
1920 First factory to manufacture stainless steel,
Rustless Iron & Steel Company, is established.
1925 First triple combination fireboat is put into service
by Baltimore City Fire Department.
1929 American Stock Market crashes.
Baltimore Museum of Art opens new home on
Museum Drive.
1931 Cornerstone is laid for Masonic Homes, “Bonnie
Blink,” in Cockeysville, Maryland.
1932 Eastern Venetian Blind Company becomes first
producer of Venetian blinds in United States.
Walters Art Gallery opens.
1937 Sesquicentennial of Grand Lodge of Maryland is
celebrated, Grand Master Harry R. Wright
presiding.
1940
1960
1980
1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. United States declares
war and enters World War II.
1961 Viet Nam War begins.
1980 Harborplace opens.
Grand Lodge is turned into air raid shelter.
Blackout regulations are established for all
Maryland Lodges.
Masonic services are established for welfare of
Masons among men in military.
Grand Lodge is used as a Service Center. During
the War, over 5,000 servicemen sleep in Marble
Hall on 110 cots.
1945 World War II ends.
1946 First photograph of earth from space is produced at
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
1950 Korean War begins.
1953 Korean War ends.
Baltimore Colts begin playing professional football.
1954 St. Louis Browns move to Baltimore and begin
playing baseball as the Orioles.
1956 Entire issue of Life Magazine is devoted to the
Fraternal World of the Masons.
1958 Colts win first National Football League
Championship.
United States and Maryland history
Baltimore history
Masonic and Grand Lodge history
Tremont Grand history
1959 Colts win National Football League Championship.
1966 Orioles beat Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World
Series in four-game sweep.
Baltimore Oriole Frank Robinson becomes first
baseball player to be named MVP in both the
American and National Leagues.
1967 Grand Lodge lays cornerstone of South Baltimore
General Hospital.
Native Baltimorean Thurgood Marshall becomes
first African American to serve on United States
Supreme Court.
1970 Orioles win the World Series for a second time,
beating Cincinnati Reds.
1971 Colts beat Dallas Cowboys to win the World
Championship in Super Bowl V.
1975 Viet Nam War ends.
1976 American Bicentennial is celebrated.
Maryland Science Center opens.
National Aquarium opens on Baltimore harbor.
1983 Orioles beat Philadelphia Phillies to win the World
Series for third time.
1985 Masonic Charities of Maryland is founded to
award scholarships to combat substance abuse in
partnership with Maryland State Department of
Education, Student Assistance Program.
1987 Bicentennial of the Grand Lodge of Maryland is
celebrated, Grand Master Joseph C. Bryan III
presiding.
1991 Persian Gulf War takes place.
1993 Construction of new Grand Lodge complex begins
in Cockeysville, Maryland.
1995 Baltimore Stallions become first American football
team to win Canadian Football League
Championship.
1996 Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore and begin
playing football as the Ravens.
New Grand Lodge of Maryland complex in
Cockeysville, Maryland, is completed.
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1. Launching of Liberty Ship SS Patrick Henry, 1941
2. Blood drive donor station wagon donated by the
Knights Templar, 1943
3. War Bonds Drive poster, 1944
4. Knights Templar hat, c. 1920
5. Order of the Constantine Dinner in Grand Lodge
Board Room, 1948
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6. Masonic Officers in Corinthian Room, 1941
7. Concordia Lodge Dinner program, 1954
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8. Masonic Museum, c. 1960
9. October 8, 1956, Life Magazine
10. Masons in Roman Room, 1982
11. Chapter Banquet, 1955
12. New Grand Lodge in Cockeysville, Maryland, c. 1996
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Restored and Returned to Grandeur
(1998-2005)
B
ecause of the new Grand Lodge in the suburbs, the
Masons had no need for their former home on
Charles Street. Attracted by its beauty and recognizing the
possibilities for other uses, the owners of the neighboring
Tremont Suite Hotels purchased the Lodge from the Masons
in 1998.
structure on land directly behind it and adjacent to the hotel.
Thanks to that agreement, restoration of the magnificent
structure began.
A team of architects, designers, restoration specialists and
world class craftsmen was assembled to restore the original
interiors and replicate what could not be repaired. Every
room and surface was returned to its original grandeur.
The firm began planning a renovation of the structure which
would honor its grace and historical significance while
adapting it for use as a meeting place for business and social
functions. However, City of Baltimore officials, unaware of
plans for restoration, condemned the building in order to
erect a much needed parking garage on the land.
After years of work, the doors of the newly named Tremont
Grand were opened in September 2005. Nearly 140 years
after its original cornerstone was laid as the Grand Lodge of
Maryland, the Tremont Grand has been returned to a
graceful and elegant state, and a piece of Baltimore’s history
has been lovingly preserved.
Working with the City and members of Baltimore’s
Downtown Partnership, the hotel’s owners crafted an
agreement which would save the building and add a parking
1998
1999
2000
1998 Former Grand Lodge is sold to Tremont
Suite Hotels.
City of Baltimore condemns former Grand
Lodge structure for new parking garage.
City of Baltimore, Baltimore Downtown
Partnership, and Tremont
Suite Hotels craft agreement to save the
former Grand Lodge from demolition.
Tremont Suite Hotels hire architectural firm
of Murphy & Dittenhafer
to redesign the former Grand Lodge.
2001
2002
2003
2001 Ravens defeat New York Giants to capture
their first-ever World Championship in
Super Bowl XXXV.
Terrorists attack New York’s World Trade
Center and Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,
with major loss of life. President George
Bush declares “War on Terror”.
2002 U.S. and allies invade Afghanistan.
Motion picture “Head of State” is filmed in
former Grand Lodge.
Tremont Suites Hotels begins renovation of
Grand Lodge and renames building the
Tremont Grand.
2003 U.S. and coalition countries invade Iraq.
United States and Maryland history
Baltimore history
Masonic and Grand Lodge history
Tremont Grand history
2004
2005
2005 Tremont Grand opens.
443.573.8444
•
www.tremonts.com
TREMONT GRAND
225 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201