Aurora

AURORA LODGE

Location: Leominster; Fitchburg (1844)

Chartered By: Samuel Dunn

Charter Date: 06/08/1801 II-182

Precedence Date: 06/08/1801

Current Status: Active

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Charter: 1801

ANNIVERSARIES

1901 (Centenary)
1906 (105th Anniversary)
1926 (125th Anniversary)
1951 (150th Anniversary)
1976 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1890 (Wells)
1901 (Gallagher; Centenary)
1906 (Blake; 105th Anniversary)
1916 (M. Johnson)
1919 (L. Abbott)
1926 (Simpson; 125th Anniversary)
1927 (Simpson; Veterans' Night)
1951 (Roy; 150th Anniversary)
1964 (Osgood; Hall dedication)
1970 (Jaynes; reception for Junior Grand Warden Samuel R. Irons)
1971 (Jaynes)
1975 (Maxwell; installation)
1976 (Maxwell; 175th Anniversary)
1981 (Berquist)
2001 (Bauer; installation)
2004 (Hicks; presentation of a copy of the charter)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1878 1879 1883 1887 1889 1890 1892 1902 1906 1910 1912 1920 1921 1923 1924 1926 1929 1937 1951 1954 1956 1958 1966 1973 1974 1976 1982 1986 1991 1995 1999 2006

HISTORY

1901 (Centennial Historical Address, 1901-61)
1926 (125th Anniversary History, 1926-184)
1951 (150th Anniversary History, 1951-88)
1976 (175th Anniversary History, 1976-193)
2004 (Excerpts from the Centennial History, 2004-160)

OTHER

1830 (Report on delinquency)
1844 (Petition to remove to Fitchburg
1845 (Invitation for St. John's Day)
1846 (Invitation for St. John's Day)
1926 (Petition to reduce fees)
1979 (75-year member award to a member)
1993 (Cemetery plot dedication)

EVENTS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIV, No. 12, October 1865, p. 370:

It has been the custom for many years past with this energetic old Lodge to hold a Public Installation of its Officers, and to give an Annual Supper, to which the families and lady-friends of the members are invited, though we believe that for the last two or three years, on account of the war, and the consequent absence of many of its members, the custom has been allowed to fall into abeyance. It was, however, renewed the present year, and came off on the evening of the 12th ultimo. The attendance of the Brethren and ladies was considerably in excess of the ball- accommodations, though all were made as comfortable as they well could be, under the circumstances, and the pressure of an excessively warm evening. The ceremonies of Installation were performed by the M. W. Grand Master, assisted by his officers. At the conclusion of these the G. Master addressed the Lodge and the visitors present, referring to the early history of the Lodge, its uninterrupted success for the long time of sixty-four vears, and its faithfulness and loyalty to the parent Body. He also referred in appropriate and impressive terms to the general principles of the Institution and the great objects it has in view. His remarks fell onattentive ears, and apparently afforded gratification to his large and intelligent audience. The Music was performed by a fine quartette choir, and added largely to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies in the hall a procession was formed and the company proceeded to the Fitchburg Hotel, (an excellent public house,) where they sat down to a bountiful and well-served Supper, and where the ceremonies of the evening were interspersed with brief speeches by Bros. Parkman, Moore, http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMDame Dame], Bancroft, and others. The occasion was an exceedingly agreeable one, and we trust not altogether unprofitable in its results.

The officers installed are as follows:—

John Barney, W. M.
Charles S. Litch, S. W.
C. H. B. Snow, J. W.
Arnold Wilson, Treas
S. W. Huntley, Sec.
Henry Allison, S. D.
Francis Shelden, J. D.
Henry G. Morse, S. S.
Henry S. Hitchcock, J. S.
William Kimball, Marshal
D. C. Brick, Chaplain
James Peirce, Tyler.

We had forgotten to say in its proper place, that at the conclusion of the Installation services the retiring Master, Brother M. G. Lyon, was presented with an elegant Past Master's Jewel, in gold, by Brother G. H. B. Snow. The speeches were appropriate, and that of the retiring Master especially interesting for its reminiscences.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

Loring E. Harkness, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1927, 1928; Memorial
Abraham Haskell, Jr., DDGM, District 5, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825; SN
Samuel R. Irons, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1965, 1966; Junior Grand Warden 1970; N
Alvin A. LaRoche, Jr., DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1995, 1996; N
Stanley MacPhadden, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1955, 1956; N
Charles F. Murch, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1943, 1944; N
Nathan Ordway, DDGM, District 3, 1845-1848, District 3, 1849. SN
William A. Pearce, DDGM, Fitchburg 12, 1905, 1906; SN
John E. Stacey, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1975, 1976; N
David W. Tinsley, DDGM, Fitchburg 12, 1888, 1889; SN
William L. Walker, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1919, 1920, 1921; Memorial
David Wilder, DDGM, District 5, 1819, 1820; Deputy Grand Master 1832
Perry I. Wilson, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1935, 1936; N