Albert Pike Masonic Lodge, Denver Colorado

Our Connection to the Birth of Our Country
The Marquis De Lafayette, like George Washington, was a Freemason. On the occasion of his visit to Troy N.Y., a deputation from Apollo Lodge No. 13 waited upon him and invited him to visit Apollo Lodge. The invitation was accepted, the Lodge made preparations for the reception of their distinguished visitor; and although the time was short, the preparations were creditable to the brethren.
General Lafayette personally presented the apron which he wore at this visit to then Worshipful Master Adna Adams Treat, of Troy Lodge, who had received him. In later years Brother Adna Treat had the further distinction of being the oldest life member of the Grand Lodge of New York, and at the time of his death in 1900, at the age of almost one hundred four years, he was the oldest living Mason in the United States. The apron was handed down to Brother Adna Treat's son, Charles A. Treat of Denver, who in turn gave it to his brother, Marcus J. R. Treat of Hayes City, Kansas, and he presented it to his nephew, Nathan 0. Vosburgh, P.M., for many years Treasurer of Albert Pike Lodge No. 117 whom on September 27, 1928 presented it to his Lodge where it has resided since.
 
General Lafayette's apron sets on display in every regular meeting of Albert Pike Lodge for all Brethren to enjoy. You may view a photo by clicking here.
UPDATE: Lafayette's apron is on display for the centennial anniversary of The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria Virginia. Albert Pike Lodge has loaned the apron to the memorial for the year 2010 and we highly suggest visiting the memorial building if you are ever in this area. While you are there, please take a moment to view Lafayette's apron!
 

 
Our Namesake  
The life of Albert Pike nearly spanned the nineteenth Century. He was born at Boston, December 29, 1809, and he died at Washington, D.C., April 2, 1891. Into these 81 years he crowded talents and accomplishments which might have distinguished a score of different men. He was Poet, Lawyer, Jurist, Editor, Author, Explorer, Statesman, Scholar and Educator, Soldier and Humanitarian, as well as the world's best known Freemason, and in each he attained outstanding recognition.

Prospering in Law, he was admitted to the Bar, practiced before the Supreme Court of Arkansas, in which he was, for some months in 1864, an Associate Justice. He pleaded cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, and particularly in the 1850's he wrote many notable legal opinions. He prepared the first Arkansas Legal Form Book. Writing extensively on legal subjects, he completed in later years a monumental work of several volumes entitled MAXIMS of the ROMAN LAW. His qualities of statesmanship, no less than his knowledge of law, enabled him to devise treaties between the Indians, notably the Choctaw, and the Government of the United States.

During the War Between the States he identified himself wholeheartedly in loyalty to his adopted State of Arkansas. His military exploits as a Confederate General were many and varied. He is best known for his role in the Battle at Pea Ridge where as a Brigadier General he lead his ‘Indian Brigade’ of 1st and 2nd mounted Cherokee Riflemen into battle against Union Forces.

As a poet, he won his praise in his own time of such noted contemporaries as Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens and others. Today, his "Hymns to the Gods," "Prose Sketches and Poems Written in the Western Country," and "Lyrics and Love Songs," are collector's items. His prose work, "The Life Wake of the Fine Arkansas Gentleman Who Died Before His Time," is one of the rarities of Americana.

In 1850, at the age of 41, Albert Pike became a Freemason. In Masonry he found opportunity to use all of his talents. He became interested in its law, and contributed greatly to Masonic Jurisprudence. Masonic Philosophy and Symbolism inspired his profound interest and led him at middle age, to undertake exhaustive study of ancient alphabets and languages in order that he need not rely upon the translations of others. He became proficient in Hebrew and even Sanskrit (an ancient, dead language known only to scholars today), making extensive translations and commentaries of his own from ancient writings in these languages. Rewriting and revising the rituals and ceremonials of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, he provided these works with a depth of philosophy and symbolism which had been merely fragmentary before. To these he added the great book "Morals and Dogma" providing additional philosophical material to the degrees of the Rite. He wrote many works upon the history of the Order in this country, in France and elsewhere.

Prominently identified with the Grand Lodge of Arkansas he later, in 1859 became Grand Commander of the Supreme Council 33° of the A. & A. Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction (all States south of the Ohio River and west of the Mississippi river, and foreign territories of the United States). He held this office until his death in 1891. At the House of the Temple, home of the Supreme Council, Washington, D.C.; an entire room is devoted to the preservation and display of the published and manuscript writings of Albert Pike, his letters, personal mementoes, portraits, and everything concerning this great American. His mortal remains occupy a special crypt in the House of the Temple, authorized by an Act of Congress. A bronze statue of Albert Pike stands in the triangle directly opposite the Municipal Building in the nation's capital.
 

We would love to help you learn more about Freemasonry, our Lodge, and it's history. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to petition our Lodge for Membership.