The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire is one of the oldest in the country, it being the tenth one formed in the original colonies. It also has the distinction of being the fourteenth Grand Lodge to be formed, world-wide. On July 8, 1789, five Freemasons met on the third floor of the William Pitt Tavern in Portsmouth, NH, for the purpose of agreeing on the creation of a Grand Lodge for the state. Those in attendance were Brothers Hall Jackson, Joseph Bass, Nathaniel Folsom and Nathaniel Adams from St. John’s Lodge in Portsmouth, and Brother Alpheus Moore from Rising Sun Lodge in Keene, NH. At this meeting, they formed the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, elected John Sullivan as the Grand Master, and subsequently held the first communication on July 16, 1789. Thus was the Grand Lodge formed.
However, there was an immediate issue which needed to be rectified. Grand Master-elect John Sullivan had never been a Master of a lodge – one of the immutable requirements to be Grand Master. Recognizing this and reacting quickly, his Lodge (St. John’s of Portsmouth) elected and installed him as Worshipful Master and on April 8, 1790 he was duly installed as the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire.
The immediate work of the new Grand Lodge was to contact all other lodges within its jurisdiction and encourage them to recognize the jurisdictional authority of the Grand Lodge. This was accomplished over a period of many years, and as new lodges were formed and petitioned the Grand Lodge for charters, the foundation for Freemasonry within the state became strong.
Today, the 117th Grand Master Kenneth A. Clay, Jr. presides over 66 local Lodges and more than 5,000 Brothers.
New Hampshire/U.S. – Fire Destroys New Hampshire’s Morrison Lodge 90
U.S. – New Hampshire Statewide Masonic Open House 10/20/18
Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons
- NH Masonic Unity Picnic, 9/17/2023 July 3, 2023Families and friends are invited to attend the NH Unity Picnic to celebrate the fraternal bonds of our Orders. Enjoy a traditional style cookout with all of the fixings along […] The post NH Masonic Unity Picnic, 9/17/2023 appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- 2023 Town Hall Meeting Schedule February 10, 2023The Grand Master has scheduled the Town Hall meeting dates and locations in the month of March. Be sure to pass this information along to the Brethren of your Lodge and […] The post 2023 Town Hall Meeting Schedule appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- Info on 2022 Lodges of Instruction July 18, 2022The District Lodges of Instruction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Hampshire will be held for the year 2022 as follows: Date Day Meal Time GL Opens District […] The post Info on 2022 Lodges of Instruction appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- Grand Master’s Harvest Ball, 10/14/2022 July 18, 2022Join Grand Master David S. Collins and his Lady Colleen at theGrand Master’s Harvest Ballaboard the M.S. Mount WashingtonFriday, October 14, 2022Departing and returning from the Weirs211 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, […] The post Grand Master’s Harvest Ball, 10/14/2022 appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- Grand Master’s Notes from the East, February 13, 2022 February 13, 2022You may look at my schedule sometimes and wonder, the Grand Master says he is busy but I do not see him at that many events this week. The role […] The post Grand Master’s Notes from the East, February 13, 2022 appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- Grand Master’s Notes from the East, January 23, 2022 January 24, 2022This past week I attended two events that struck a chord with me. It reminded me of how I answer the question when people ask me: “Why are you a […] The post Grand Master’s Notes from the East, January 23, 2022 appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- 2022 New England Brotherhood Night January 20, 2022Below is information on the 40th Annual New England Brotherhood Night, to be hosted by the Grand Lodge of Vermont on Saturday, March 19, 2022. The first New England Brotherhood […] The post 2022 New England Brotherhood Night appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- The NH Masonic Decal License Plate Is Here! January 19, 2022NH Masonic Decal License Plate Guidelines The Plate The State of New Hampshire has allowed the Grand Lodge of NH Free & Accepted Masons to obtain specialty Decal License Plates […] The post The NH Masonic Decal License Plate Is Here! appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- Fellow Craft Workshop in Concord on 2/19 January 17, 2022Fellow Craft Workshop Saturday, February 19, 2022 Blazing Star—Eureka Lodge No. 11. 53 Iron Works Rd., Concord, NH 8:30am Registration 9:00am to 12:30pm (Breaks included) Topics Covered: What happens during […] The post Fellow Craft Workshop in Concord on 2/19 appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
- 2022 Grand Master’s Town Hall Schedule January 14, 2022Below is the list of Town Hall meeting dates and locations the Grand Master has scheduled for this year. Be sure to pass the word to the Brethren of your […] The post 2022 Grand Master’s Town Hall Schedule appeared first on Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons.Admin
30 Mount Vernon Street
P.O.Box 486
Milford, NH 03055-0486https://www.nhgrandlodge.org/603-554-1723
