Freemasonry in Wisconsin first took an organized form on the night of December 27, 1823, when seven army officers and three civilians met at the home of Brother George Johnston on the west bank of the Fox River in what is now Green Bay. The soldiers were attached to the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Howard, under the command of Col. John McNeil, also a Freemason. Wisconsin was then part of the territory of Michigan and very lightly settled. The regiment was there to maintain order and protect the settlers in this vast wilderness.
Desiring to form a lodge, the men sent a petition to the Grand Lodge of New York requesting a charter. Dispensation for the formation of a lodge was granted, and on September 2, 1824, the interested brethren met again to organize it. Their charter from the Grand Lodge of New York was dated December 3rd.
During the following year, Menomonie Lodge № 374 ceased to be a military lodge and became civilian. An 1854 address given in Green Bay showcased the Lodge’s records dating back to 1827 and its cessation as a Lodge in 1830. It was, therefore, never chartered as a “Wisconsin” lodge; moreover, its New York charter was destroyed in a fire during 1870 at Washington Lodge № 21, Green Bay.
Carved out of the original Michigan Territory in 1836, the rich lead mines of the southwestern Wisconsin territory attracted a large influx of settlers, including influential men from Missouri and Illinois. These men also formed Masonic Lodges.
Melody Lodge № 49 under the Grand Lodge of Missouri received a dispensation at Mineral Point on October 8, 1840. Organized on July 27, 1841, it was granted a charter in October 1842 and began work on February 15, 1843. On January 10, 1843, a second dispensation came from Missouri to form Lodge № 65, about 20 miles from Mineral Point in Platteville. With dispensation granted on June 12, 1843, The Grand Lodge of Illinois, as that area’s Grand jurisdiction, chartered Milwaukee Lodge № 22.
On January 17, 1844 representatives of these Lodges established the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. The Lodges were re-chartered according to seniority: Mineral Point № 1, Melody № 2, and Kilbourn № 3 (who changed its name to Milwaukee founding father Bryon Kilbourn). Fifty years later, in 1894, there were over 260 Lodges and more than 15,500 members. Membership in Wisconsin peaked in 1960 with over 300 Lodges and more 59,000 brothers.
Wisconsin freemasons support a wide variety of charities. First is the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation that provides worthy students educational scholarships. The Foundation provides care for the aged at its Three Pillars Senior Living Communities in Dousman, the Masonic Home Foundation Fund and Masonic Medical Fund. The service and Assistance Fund improve the lives of veterans at four Wisconsin VA Hospitals but is also ready to assist in time of national natural disasters. Lastly, the Grand Lodge sponsors a state-wide youth soccer game for exceptional athletes. Of course, most Lodges sponsor and support local charities and philanthropic endeavors.
Today Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey presides over 181 Lodges with a membership over 11,000. Among the many distinguished and honored masons of the Badger State are all five Ringling brothers’ circus owners, former Governor and Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin Governor Lee Dreyfus and former Wisconsin Attorney General, and Past Grand Master, J.B. Van Hollen.
Wisconsin/US – Onalaska Freemasonry Lodge 214 gives donation to the Salvation Army
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons Toys for Tots donation; toys, money delivered
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons donate fire suppression tools
Wisconsin/US – 170th anniversary of Waterloo Masonic Lodge
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons donate life-saving ‘Go Bags’ to State Patrol
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons and American Legion team up for suicide prevention training
Wisconsin/US – Masonic Gala to benefit Wisconsin State Patrol
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons make donations to Superior first responders
Wisconsin/US – Janesville Masonic Center Damaged by Multiple Gunshots
Wisconsin/US – Masonic Lodge helps food bank
Wisconsin/US – Wautoma Freemasons welcomes you to Scholarship Fundraising Dinner
Wisconsin/US – Prince Hall Masonic Temple promotes gun safety after several kids shot and injured
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons to provide lifesaving devices for state patrol vehicles
Wisconsin/U.S. – Barnes freemasons present firefighting tool to Solon Springs
Wisconsin/U.S. – Merrill Freemasons donate fire suppression tool
Wisconsin/U.S. – Waukesha Masonic Lodge celebrates 170 years
Wisconsin/U.S. – Masonic Temple donates Fire Suppression Tool to Sheriff’s Office
Wisconsin/U.S. – Viroqua’s Masonic Building turns 100
Wisconsin/U.S. – Wautoma Masonic Lodge presents Redgranite FD with FST
Wisconsin/U.S. – Masonic Lodge makes donation for police dog training
Wisconsin/U.S. – Freemasons provide new firefighting tool to Douglas County departments
Wisconsin/U.S. – Not so Mysterious: Past and Present Masonic Temples Build Community
Wisconsin/U.S. – Wautoma Masonic Union sponsors Father’s Day picnic
Wisconsin/U.S. – Ground broken for new Masonic lodge
Wisconsin/U.S. – Historic Masonic Center windows get some watchers
Wisconsin Freemasons
- Wisconsin Freemasonry Leadership Team Visits Brothers February 10, 2026Brothers from the Wisconsin Freemasonry Leadership Team recently visited two Brothers from Ancient Landmark Lodge at Northern Lights Service, a managed care facility in Washburn: Brother Terry Welty (Raised 1962) and Brother Jim Lacy (Raised 2005). Pictured above, Grand Master Jeff Schoenfeldt and Deputy Grand Master Joe Thompson visit with Brother Welty. Brother Jim, who […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Warren Lodge Brothers visit Madison VA Hospital February 9, 2026Brothers of Warren Lodge No. 4, Potosi, took Santa to the VA Hospital in Madison to visit Veterans on December 23. The group had a great time talking with the Veterans, volunteers and staff. Pictured above, Brothers from left: PGM Davey White Jr., Santa Claus John Mest and Ronnie Jaacks. Submitted by PGM Davey White […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- D1 Leadership Team delivers stuffed animals February 8, 2026Members of the Leadership Team visited the Northwoods Children’s Services, Duluth, Minnesota, at Christmas to deliver stuffed animals donated by PetSmart. Pictured above, from left: DD1 Deputy Danny L. Bourassa, Therapist Emily Eisenmann, two students, CEO Larry Pajari and Senior Grand Deacon George T. Eisenmann III. Submitted by DD1 Danny L. Bourassa The post D1 […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- District 1 Celebrates the Holidays with Fellowship and Recognition February 7, 2026The spirit of the holiday season was alive and well at the District 1 Christmas Party, held on December 15 at the picturesque Deer Lake Lodge in Iron River. Hosted by District 1 Deputy Danny Bourassa, the event brought together a joyful gathering of Brothers and their ladies for an evening of camaraderie, fine dining, […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- BINGO! at Three Pillars February 6, 2026The Leadership Team Ladies hosted a Bingo Party for the residents of Three Pillars Senior Living Communities on Jan. 17 during the Leadership Team Meeting in Pewaukee January 16-18. The post BINGO! at Three Pillars appeared first on Wisconsin Freemasons.Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Quincy Adams Masonic Lodge Breakfast with Santa February 5, 2026Quincy Adams Masonic Lodge No. 71, Friendship, hosted their first annual Breakfast with Santa Clause event on December 14. Pictured above are Santa and his work crew (from left): Richard Dunn, Michael Willis, Wil Roelke, Mark Jerdee, Shannon Hady, WM Robert Theim, Most Worshipful Grand Master Jeffrey S. Schoenfeldt, Diana Doucette, Paul Doucette, Ryan Miranda and […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Leadership Staff Meeting Covers Several Topics, Tours Three Pillars Senior Living February 4, 2026Article and photos by Brother Rich Rygh Grand Master Jeff Schoenfeldt and his Lady Janelle hosted the winter Leadership Team Meeting at the Ingelside Hotel in Pewaukee January 16-18. It was a very enjoyable and productive weekend including tours of Three Pillars Senior Living Communities and The Fields on Saturday morning. The Leadership Team Ladies […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Rice Lake Freemasons support school snack program February 2, 2026Freemasons from Blue Hills Lodge No. 234 were proud to support the Rice Lake School District’s “School Snack Program” again in 2025-26. Together with the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation and the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, they were able to donate $1500 towards the nutritional needs of school district students. The Lodge funds the support with money […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- The Grand Master’s Message: Valentine’s Day: A Celebration of (Brotherly) Love February 1, 2026By Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Wisconsin Brother Jeff Schoenfeldt Valentine’s Day holds no official significance within Freemasonry. We do not revere or celebrate Saint Valentine the way we do the Holy Saints John (June 24 and December 27), which marks key moments in our calendars of light, balance, and reflection. That said, many […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Glenn L. Humphrey Freemasons Lodge supports Three Pillars January 31, 2026Brother Duane Bunting of Glenn L. Humphrey Freemasons Lodge (No. 364) presented $1,000 in Acts of Kindness checks to Terri Isabel, Chief Development Officer of Three Pillars Senior Living Communities, supporting both the Residents Fund and Memory Care Initiative Fund. The donations included matching funds from the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. Submitted by Brother Ed Cooke […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
36275 Sunset Drive
Dousman, WI 53118www.wisc-freemasonry.org262-965-2200
