Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446
In preparation for the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations being held nationwide to celebrate our countries 200 years of freedom the Grand Lodge of North Carolina solicited from each Lodge a history. Worshipful Brother (WB) Claude N. Waldrop, with the help of others, compiled a history of Biltmore Lodge. In 1992 Biltmore Lodge celebrated its first 100 years and as part of that effort this previously written history was made available to the membership. Over the years only one copy of this history was found to survive. This history along with other information researched and gathered by this writer and with donations from other members was compiled into this "Short and Incomplete History of Biltmore Lodge No. 446 A. F. & A. M." in 2007.From the notes I have found it is obvious that Biltmore Lodge was founded by brethren who were called to the Asheville area by Mr. George Vanderbilt to assist him in the construction of the now famous Biltmore House. Obviously some of these men were Free and Accepted Masons and as is the nature of men of like mind it became necessary to form a lodge of Masons.
Clay E. Sorrells
Past Master 1993
The Beginning
After sanction from Mr. George W. Vanderbilt for operation of a lodge, on what is now known as the Biltmore Estate, approval was sought from Mount Hermon Lodge No. 118 and Asheville Lodge No. 410 to create a lodge under dispensation. Ten Brothers from Mount Hermon Lodge No. 118, several from Kedron Lodge, and one each from New York, South Carolina, and Georgia demitted from their home lodges to become charter members of Biltmore Lodge. The dispensation was issued by M. W. Grand Master, Bro. H. A. Gudger, a citizen of Asheville. The following brethren constituted the lodge officers: Rev. D. B. Nelson, Worshipful Master; Bro. A. S. Whitaker, Senior Warden; Bro. J. M. Brookshire, Junior Warden.
The first meeting was held on March 24, 1891. The meeting was held in a building on the Biltmore Estate at the west end of Lodge Street. The building was located near the place where the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers converge into a single stream to flow westward toward the setting sun. It was in this first meeting that the brethren assembled decided to meet on the first and third Tuesday nights at eight p.m. The first petition received by Biltmore Lodge was from Mr. G. W. McCarty, on March 31, 1891. He was 21 years old, and a stone cutter by trade. The fee for each degree was five dollars.
On June 2, 1891, Biltmore Lodge was honored with a visit from the M. W. Grand Master of Masons of the State of North Carolina, Bro. H. A. Gudger. Bro. Gudger addressed the brethren there assembled with a speech, which even today, we can apply. He counseled the lodge officers and members "to be watchful and careful to live up to all the teachings of the order, both in and out of Lodge, to be extremely cautious that in our zeal for an increased membership, we should carefully guard our inner door that no unworthy person be admitted, giving discredit to our Lodge, our Order, or ourselves as individual members, to press onward and upward, guarding each step."
The brethren of Biltmore Lodge were dedicated to the work of the order. In order that the degrees be as impressive as possible, they met each week before a degree to practice. During the first year, while under dispensation, degree work was conducted at most every meeting, and for this reason, we find in the minutes that the brethren met every week to practice. At many meetings during the year, the Lodge held two separate degrees in one evening. Interest in Masonry was high, and the Lodge worked hard to meet the need.
The Lodge progressed well during the dispensation period. Degree work was conducted at most every communication, and the membership grew steadily. In December of 1891, a committee was appointed to adopt a set of by-laws to be sent to the Grand Lodge as the "Code of By-laws". From the minutes of the communication on January 5, 1892, the following is found:
"Motion was made by J. M. Brookshire with M. L. Reed as second, was adopted to send by the hand of Bro. D. B. Nelson as representation, the Lodge records and petition to the Grand Lodge for charter, together with dispensation to the Grand Lodge which would hold it's regular communication on January 12, 1892 with necessary fees for charter and seal and that the expenses of the representative be paid by the Lodge was adopted. Motion by Bro. C. Whitaker that the election of officers of the Lodge be held on the anniversary of St. John the Baptist in June 1892 was adopted."
The charter which created Biltmore Lodge No. 446 A. F. & A. M. was issued on January 13, 1892 (the Masonic year of 5892). The first communication held under the charter was on February 9, 1892. The Lodge was opened in due form on the third degree of Masonry. It was announced that the Grand Master of Mason's of the State of North Carolina, Worshipful Brother H. A. Gudger was about to enter. Grand Master Gudger installed the following officers:
D. B. Nelson Master T. J. Reed Senior Deacon A. S. Whitaker Senior Warden J. A. Brookshire Junior Deacon J. M. Brookshire Junior Warden J. W. Furman Steward C. R. Whitaker Treasurer T. F. Creasman Steward D. F Hendon Secretary James Reece Tyler
After the ceremonies, Bro. John A. Nichols who acted as Marshal, assisted the Grand Master in Proclaiming Biltmore Lodge No. 446 duly and regularly constituted to work.
Worshipful Brother (WB) D. B. Nelson served as Master of Biltmore Lodge during the dispensation period and during the first year of charter in 1892. He moved to Asheville from East Tennessee in 1864 to become pastor of Biltmore Baptist Church. He moved his family to Asheville in 1865. Brother Nelson was appointed as the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in the spring of 1895. (At this time in North Carolina Grand Lodge history officers were elected and appointed on or near June 24 to correspond with St. John the Baptist Day.)
The following selection was taken from the minutes of the meeting held on December 3, 1895:
"Whereas it has pleased our All Wise Heavenly Father to remove our beloved brother from our Lodge to the Grand Lodge above, we bow in humble submission to the devine will of Him who doeth all things well."
Brother Nelson died on August 28, 1895. He was buried in Hendersonville, NC on August 29, 1895 with full Masonic honors.
The Early Days
The early Lodge faced expenses of operation as do lodges today. Lodge dues were set at two dollars per year, and rent was eighteen dollars per quarter. The rent was paid to Mr. George Vanderbilt. The Lodge building was without electricity in 1892, so in a manner befitting Masons, a committee was formed to investigate the matter of electric lights for the Lodge rooms and report as to the cost. The report was presented at a communication held on July 19, 1892 and after several objections by members of the lodge a motion was made and passed to install electric lights in the Lodge rooms. Now in addition to rent Biltmore paid the cost of the electricity to Mr. Vanderbilt in the amount of twenty-four dollars. Coal was also purchased from the Biltmore Estate. One such load cost the lodge sixty five cents. The yearly dues were increased to four dollars in 1903.
The tradition of placing the picture of the Past Masters on the wall of the Lodge room was established in 1894. A picture of WB D. B. Nelson was enlarged, framed and placed on the wall of the Lodge. The enlargement cost twenty dollars. Shortly there after oil paintings of WB R. R. Swope, Thomas J. Reed and George W. Reed were placed on the right side of the Lodge. The portrait of WB Daniel Nelson hanging on the north wall of the Lodge Hall was given to WB Jack Huff by the Nelson family. WB Huff in turn donated it to Biltmore Lodge.
On June 24, 1893 Brother Thomas J. Reed was installed as Master and served in that office until July 1, 1902. During this time the membership continued to grow and the need for a new building was realized. At a stated communication on March 18, 1898 a motion was made and passed to move the Lodge to an old store on the north side of the Swannanoa River. The store was owned by WB T.J. Reed. The exact location was not to be found in the minutes but from information passed down through the years the location is known. The store building was located at the west end of the Silverman Company in Biltmore on highway US 81. (The building was razed in 2006.)
Freemasonry in Fairview
(Article written for the Fairview Town Crier paper 2006 by Clay Sorrells)
Freemasonry is more than just a fraternal organization of men, who some think, dress in funny outfits and carry on in supposedly secret fashion. Charity is at the heart of the organization. In North Carolina the Masons wholly support a children's home in Oxford and provide the majority of the support for a retirement center in Greensboro. Also, every Shriner is a Mason, so indirectly Masonry supports all of the Shrine Children's hospitals.
Masonry is a world wide fraternal organization whose beginnings are uncertain, shrouded in an undocumented past. Some Masonic scholars believe that Masonry began with the building of King Solomon's Temple, other believe it's distant past goes back to the Egyptian pyramids and even to Adam himself. Such fanciful ideas are entertaining but unfounded. Modern scholars see a credible link to the Knights Templar. Freemasonry came into the public eye in 1717 in England when four Masonic lodges form the Grand Lodge of England. Evidence supporting the existence of Masonic lodges in the 15th century also documents the source of laws and traditions used by the Craft today.
Freemasonry crossed the ocean to the new world with the very earliest colonists. Many of the framers of our Constitution and signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. Such notables as George Washington, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere were Masons. Washington even served as Master of his lodge. As America grew so too did Masonry. The first lodge in North Carolina was founded under the Grand Lodge of Scotland but the later Grand Lodge of North Carolina was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of England in 1736.
Masonry marched steadily westward as settlers searched for new lands. The first lodge in the Asheville area was Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118, chartered in 1846. From that lodge and the later formed Asheville Lodge No. 410 sprang Biltmore Lodge No. 446. The formation of Biltmore Lodge was in response to the Freemasons who came from various areas of the nation (and possibly from Europe) to assist in the building of the now famous Biltmore House. Biltmore's first lodge hall was located on the Vanderbilt property in a building owned by Mr. Vanderbilt. Freemasonry began to grow and the desire for men to have lodges located closer to their home was a real need.
Biltmore Lodge sponsored the formation of Otolay Lodge in the Fairview community in the late 1920s. The founding members, most of which were Biltmore Lodge members, were residence of Fairview. No documentation has been located to tell the Masonic scholar why the members selected the name Otolay .
The lodge was a victim of bad timing and unknown future events. By 1929 the world economy began to slow and the country entered the years of the Great Depression. Otolay lodge ceased to function as did others and many other lodges suffered a great loss in membership.
An interview with Ms. Edith Patillo of Fairview in 2004 yielded a few more facts not previously recorded. The lodge met in the back of Mr. P. L. Merrill's store which was located at the corner of Garren Creek Road and the old part of Charlotte Highway, which is now called Village road. The owner, Mr. P. L. Merrill, was a Mason.
Ms Patillo recalled that all the Masons she knew were good men. Several of the members were men of means but even their wealth apparently was not enough to keep the lodge from closing due to the hard times of the Great Depression. The displaced members were welcomed back to their mother lodge in Biltmore.
Membership:
Miles Morris PM
Paul Stroup
George Hamrick PM
Joe Lytle
Henry Woods (owned a "Beer Parlor" in Fairview)
P.L. Merrill
Ben Williams
Albert Sorrells (secretary; also worked for Ben Williams)
Tom Jeff Patillo
Alas, a Freemason's lodge no longer stands in Fairview but many men of the Craft still live in the community.
Creation of Swannanoa and West Asheville Lodges
Request for demits were received from several brethren of the lodge for the purpose of helping build a Lodge in Swannanoa, NC. The brethren were successful in their endeavor and Swannanoa Lodge No. 561 was established and continues to operate into the twenty-first century. The lodge has struggled over the years especially after the closure of the Beacon factory near the lodge hall. From the minutes of September 12, 1916 there is found a request from Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 to Biltmore to establish a committee to assist them in creating a new lodge in West Asheville, NC. This new lodge was known as the "Railroad Lodge" because its membership was overwhelmingly brothers employed by Southern Railroad. With the downsizing of the rail road industry in Asheville went the prosperity of West Asheville lodge. West Asheville Lodge merged with John A. Nichols Lodge in the late 1990s forming a new Lodge known as Nichols-West Asheville.
Biltmore Honors Governor Vance
Biltmore Lodge played an active part in honoring a former governor of North Carolina. Most everyone who has traveled through the heart of downtown Asheville has seen the tall stone monolith on Pack Square known as the Vance monument, but few realize that December 22, 1997 will mark the 100th anniversary of the cornerstone laying ceremony performed by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Masons from all over attended the event, which was lead by the Grand Master, Right Worshipful Marvin E. Moore. The orator for the ceremony was the Reverend R. R. Swope, a member of Biltmore Lodge No 446. Brother Swope later served as Master of our Lodge from 1909 - 1910 and 1911 - 1912.
The monument was erected to the memory and honor of Zebulon B.Vance who served as Governor of North Carolina from 1862 - 1865 and 1877 - 1879, elected to the Senate four times, and as a congressman to the United States once. Zeb Vance was born near the town of Weaverville, NC. The property and reconstructed buildings are now a tourist attraction. Brother Swope spoke on the history of Brother Vance and stated that "he (Vance) was the greatest of all men of Carolina, and one of the great Royal Arch Masons and builders of the republic". Brother Swope's oration was reported in the Asheville Daily Citizen for all to read the next day.
The area Masonic Lodges procured a piece of chestnut wood from the old home place of Brother Vance, and had a gavel made from it. The gavel was presented to Grand Master Moore by Locke Craig, Esquire, of Asheville.
The following article was taken from the Asheville Citizen-Times news paper:
Zeb Vance finally gets Masonic recognition
By Bill Cresenzo
Citizen-Times correspondent
published: May 30, 2005
ASHEVILLE - It was a funeral the likes of which Asheville had never seen. On April 18, 1894, thousands of people traveled to Asheville to say their final farewell to Zebulon Vance, the Civil War hero, the senator, the governor.
Few people realize Vance was a Mason, and Walter Klein calls that a "scandal". Klein, of Charlotte and a Mason himself, discovered Vance's Masonry a couple of years ago. Klein said he also discovered that many other Masons themselves didn't even know Vance was a Mason. Klein found it even more scandalous that although 120 Masons attended the funeral, Vance was buried without Masonic burial rites.
So a couple of weeks ago, 111 years after Vance's death, 40 Masons from around North Carolina gathered around Vance's grave at the Riverside Cemetery and performed Masonic rites on Vance's grave. They also erected a 14-inch-high monument that reads "A Hero Among Masons". And on a recent sunny day, Klein himself anointed the monument with corn, oil and wine. The Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, which maintains the cemetery, gave the Masons permission to place the headstone on Vance's grave.
Freemasons are part of the largest and oldest fraternal organization in the world, and they emphasize brotherhood, community and ethics. Klein's investigation into Vance's Masonry began when Jody Howard, a former UNC Asheville student, contacted him.
Howard, a history major, wrote his thesis about Vance, and was interested when he came across material that indicated Vance was a Mason. So he contacted the Masons in Charlotte about his discovery, thinking they might know more about Vance's Masonry. They didn't. Somehow, that part of Vance's life had been lost. "His Masonry was a big part of his life, but that's been forgotten by people who should have known better," Klein said.
Through the years Masonry has been shrouded in secrecy, but Howard said it was no secret during Vance's life that he was a Mason. "In the publics mind, there seems to be a lot of ignorance about Masonry - people think it's questionable, especially churches," Howard said.
Masons indeed do have secret ceremonies and rules, but the idea that they have sinister motives is preposterous, Masons say. Now, the Masons are probably most famous in the public arena for the Shrine Bowl games, which raise money for hospitals for burned and crippled children.
Klein said Vance, in fact, did not speak much about his Masonry, and Vance's biographers do not mention it. Still, Klein said, for a Mason, "it is absolutely essential to be buried with Masonic rites".
Klein has a few theories about why Vance wasn't given Masonic rites. One is that Vance's second wife, Florence, decided at the last minute to halt them, for a number of possible reasons, including her Catholicism, Klein said. Another is that the Masons had been given time to perform their own service, what about the other organizations who had turned out for Vance's funeral? Moreover, Vance himself left no instructions that his funeral include Masonic rites, as is the tradition.
Whatever the case, Klein said he will continue researching Vance and his Masonic connections, and is working on a book about him. "All Masons believe they are better human beings for having been part of that organization," Klein said. "We like to consider ourselves as moral, ethical quiet citizens who give more to their society than they receive".
The Lodge Grows
Biltmore Lodge was again faced with an expanding membership and felt the need to seek more suitable accommodations. On October 20, 1914 a report from the committee assigned to find a new facility was read and adopted. A moth later the Lodge voted on the proposal to move to the plaza in Biltmore Village. The building was owned by the Biltmore Estate and stood on the south side of the plaza square.
Petition fees were raised twice during the 1920's. In 1924 the Lodge voted to raise petition fees from twenty five to fifty dollars and yearly dues to four dollars. Again in 1927 the petition fees were increased to sixty dollars.
At the December 6, 1927 meeting Brother Walter A. McGeachy submitted a proposal for a Lodge hall in a building to be erected on the west side of Biltmore Plaza. A committee was appointed and the secretary ordered to inform the membership that a special meeting was to be held for the purpose of deciding the question of renting the hall. The matter of leasing the hall in the new McGeachy Building was taken up on December 20, 1927. A vote was taken and there was found to be 23 in favor and 2 in opposition.
The second floor of the building was specifically designed for use by the Lodge. The ceiling was painted blue with star depicted all over. In 1968 WB Curtis Hipps visited the old Lodge hall and found it to be a storage room. Though everything was very dusty the ceiling still shown brightly as it did when in use by the Lodge. The McGeachy Building was completed in 1928 and so on November 15 of that year the Lodge moved into its new home. To celebrate the event Biltmore Lodge No. 446 and Biltmore Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star invited all of the lodges of the 38th and 39th districts to attend.
The Depression Years
The Great Depression of the early 1930's in one form or another touched the lives of everyone. Biltmore Lodge though affected was fortunate. A special meeting was called on November 15, 1930 to discuss the financial condition of the Lodge. The bank holding Lodge funds was in obvious trouble and soon to close. A committee was formed with the treasurer as the chairman to handle the affairs of the Lodge. Two years later on the seventh of March the minutes recorded show that the Lodge's funds were withdrawn before the bank closed and placed in a lock box. Even though the Lodge was able to secure its funds from the bank many of the brethren were not so fortunate. The minutes show on several occasions where many of the brethren were unable to pay their yearly dues. The lack of income from dues placed a burden on the Lodge and it was unable to meet some of the obligations it was accustomed to meeting. A lecture service had to be canceled in October 1932 because the Lodge could not secure the funds to pay for the work. To the sorrow of the Lodge it had to turn down a request for financial aid from a brother. His request was forwarded to the Masonic/Eastern Star home.
Biltmore Lodge elected and installed officers in June of each year which coincides with St. John the Baptist day observed on June 24. This practice continued until 1934. The last Master elected and installed in June was WB K. A. Muschette in 1931. He served as Master until December 1934. The officers for 1935 were elected on November 27, 1934 and installed on December 18, 1934 with WB Samuel T. Warren serving as Master. The practice of electing officers at the first stated communication in December continued until 2007 when the election date was moved back to November.
A Lodge on the Move
The Lodge continued its work in the McGeachy Building for many years. The building was sold to Brother J. H. Rhea in April 1948. Latter that year a motion was made and passed to appoint a committee to investigate the purchase of the building by the lodge. A favorable report was returned by the committee and put to the Lodge for a vote. An unfavorable decision was returned.
During his last month as Master WB Jerry Silverman presented the Lodge a lot on Swannanoa River Road with the understanding that a Lodge Hall would be erected. In the event the Lodge was unable or decided not to build a hall the ownership of the lot would revert back to Brother Silverman. At the August 1, 1950 stated communication a discussion was held to determine if the Lodge would build on the newly acquired lot. The brethren were not in favor of the proposal. WB Claude Waldrop ordered that all monies which had been collected for building a new hall be returned to those who had donated. The lot and title were returned to Brother Silverman.
The Temple Committee associate with the Masonic Temple located at 80 Broadway having heard of Biltmore's plight asked the Lodge to consider moving downtown. The request was considered and turned down. At the April 22, 1952 communication the Lodge engaged in a very lengthy discussion concerning the purchase of the Biltmore Methodist Church property. The discussion continued at the next meeting where a motion was made and passed to authorize the trustees to offer the church $10,000 but not over $12,000 for the property. The Church countered with a price of $13,250. A motion was made and passed in November to direct the trustees to present to the Grand Lodge for approval the proposal for purchase of the property. The Grand Lodge approved the purchase.
On August 25, 1953 the Master, WB Joe L. Tandy, stated that the deed and necessary papers for the transfer of the Church property to Biltmore Lodge would be completed the next day. Plans for raising money to remodel the building to suit the needs of the Lodge began soon after.
The first meeting to be held in the new Lodge hall was on September 7, 1954. Most of the evening was devoted to the praise of the new facility. The Lodge building was dedicated on November 23, 1954. Several speakers were present that evening. A generous gift of $100 was received from the York Rite Bodies of the Asheville area.
Then Lodge members desired to obtain the necessary equipment and costumes to perform the ritual work in a more meaningful manner. A committee was formed and charged to report back on its findings. The committee reported back on June 12, 1956 that Mrs. Claude Waldrop would make the costumes. The robes were made and delivered before the end of the year. A note was sent to Mrs. Waldrop expressing the sincere thanks of the Master and the members of the Lodge for her excellent work. Many men have worn these robes over the years.
On January 3, 1967 the Secretary read a letter from Goodyear Mortgage Corporation advising Biltmore Lodge that the deed of trust signed by Joe L. Tandy, Jerry Silverman and Claude Waldrop for the Masonic Temple had been paid and satisfied. The trustees requested to have the deed cancelled at the Buncombe County Court House.
It was reported at the January 16, 1968 meeting that the Lodge had 367 members. Later in July of that year the Lodge was honored by having twenty two past masters present. These same past masters conferred the second section of the Master Masons degree in the presence of eighty eight Master Masons.
A Modern Day Mason of Integrity
In the late 1980's Biltmore Lodge was honored to have Brother David Sentelle speak to the assembled craft. David B. Sentelle, a former Asheville resident, is a member of Excelsior Lodge #261, the Scottish Rite Bodies, and Oasis Shrine Temple of Charlotte, N.C., as well as a Life Member of Cherrydale Lodge #42, Arlington, Va. He is a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Presiding Judge of the Special Division for Independent Counsel. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Law School, a former Federal Prosecutor and Federal District Judge, as well as a winner of the Joseph Montfort Medal from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for Outstanding Service to Freemasonry. The Lodge had well over 100 in attendance for the evening
Brother Sentelle told the story of the hearings held to confirm him for the job. In fact, the 1987 confirmation hearings for Sentelle were the only instance in modern times that the question of a Federal judge's membership in a Masonic organization became an issue. At his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sentelle admitted under questioning by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that he belonged to Masonic lodges of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, in North Carolina, that had no blacks or women as members. Leahy pointed out that white Masonry does not accept black members, nor does it recognize black Masonry. The Sentelle nomination did not get to the Senate floor for seven months because of holds placed on it by other Senators. Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Sentelle's patron and sponsor, is himself a 33rd degree Mason, and he declared that he was ''aghast'' that a question of Sentelle's membership in a Masonic lodge had even become a matter of discussion, let alone an issue. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), then the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that he was ''astounded'' that the question was raised, and he acknowledged that he also was a 33rd degree Mason. When ask if he would renounce his Masonic membership for the seat Sentelle answered "no". Brother Sentelle never wavered and finally received his judicial seat.
A Traveling Lodge
Biltmore Lodge and Hammerton Lodge No. 332 of North Charleston, SC were actively engaged with exchange visits for several years in the 1990's. This came about because of one man, WB Horrace Hipps. WB Hipps, a duel member of Biltmore Lodge and Past Master of Hammerton Lodge, was passionate about Masonry and wanted to have his two Lodges see how the other performed the Master Mason's degree. The visits went well but when an unfortunate accident occurred during the South Carolina degree at Biltmore Lodge the exchanges were ended.
During the research into this history Brother Jay Sorrells retold the story of his "raising" in Greenville Lodge in east Tennessee back in 1956. At that time Biltmore and Greenville Lodge had just such an arrangement whereby lodges would do their Master Mason's degree in the other's jurisdiction. This too went on for many years and ended without any particular reason. In the ante-room of Biltmore Lodge is a picture of many brothers seated for dinner. This picture was taken at the Greenville Lodge.
Because of Biltmore's size and strength in degree work it is able to assist other Lodges in the district when called upon. This is especially true when called upon to assist in funerals.
This and That
During the days of World War II Masons of Biltmore Lodge formed what was known as the Oteen Masonic Club. During the war years many wounded soldiers were sent from the front lines to the VA Medical Center in East Asheville for treatment. Many of these men were Master Masons. The club members would visit and see to the needs of the Masons and other veterans as well. The club continued until the mid 1960's when it was disbanded. Some of the club assets were absorbed into Biltmore Lodge such as the officer chairs. Another item presented was a 48 star US Flag presented to the club by WB Harry S. Truman. The flag has since disappeared but the staff still remains in the Lodge. Biltmore Lodge continues to support the veterans at the VA Medical Center with year donations to the Masonic Services Associate staff at the hospital.
Alec Stroupe, a man of small stature, was a very active Mason into the 1970's. Brother Stroupe worked for the Asheville newspapers during WWII. Because of his small stature he was not eligible for service in the armed forces. He was not at his job on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In an effort to show his solidarity with the fighting men and women he vowed not to take another day off until the victory was won. He was quoted as saying that he "got to go home every day, it was the least I could do to help". The newspaper paid him for six days; "day seven was my donation to the War Effort".
During the 1940's and into the 1950's the members would after the meetings retire to the first floor of the McGeachy Building and continue their fellowship in the restaurant owned by Brother Tommy Arakas' father. This practice continued even after the move to the new Lodge Hall located at the corner of St. Paul and Summit Street in 1954. Soon after, Mr. Arakas closed the restaurant whereupon the brethren gathered at the Hot Shot Cafe located next to the railroad depot. This practice continued until 1974 when three Brothers began the practice of bringing refreshments to the Lodge for the brethren to enjoy there. The Bother were WB's Snow Adams, Tim Farlow and Roy Metcalf.
The Lodge celebrated its 100th year anniversary in January 1992. WB John Moody served as master during the celebrations. For the event the Lodge had commemorative coins struck. A very few gold coins, a larger number of silver and an even larger number of bronze coins were offered for purchase.
We have found ourselves in the recent past discussing whether the Grand Lodge of NC should recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge(s). Much infighting has occurred across the state and many hurt feelings realized. Biltmore, though divided, has shown the true spirit of Masonry by respecting the opinions of others on matters political and religious. How this will end and when is not now known but end it must.
We have in recent years initiated men of the Jewish faith into our lodge thus we live up to our lofty ideals of "uniting men of every country, sect and opinion". Biltmore has a varied membership now much like it did in the very early days. Because Asheville has a large retirement population we find ourselves with many members from northern jurisdictions, one fellow from South Africa and one with a membership in Saudi Arabia. We have been told that it is because of our very friendly membership that we draw others to us.
Biltmore has always prided itself in conferring degrees with excellence. Over the years the lodge has been blessed with knowledgeable Certified Lecturers and degree masters. Many names have alluded me but several come to mind; Jack Huff, Martin Nesbitt, Claude Waldrup, Ned Braswell, John Bishop, Leonard Hare and Jim Westall. Several of these men have their pictures hanging in the Lodge hall. Currently our Certified Lecturers are Worth Gregory, Clyde Dye, Clay Sorrells and Todd Lancaster. WB Jack Huff, Worth Gregory, Clay Sorrells, and Todd Lancaster are former District Deputy Grand Lecturers. WB Gregory is now the standard bearer for the excellent degree work and because of his efforts Biltmore still rises above the other lodges in proficiency. We are still able to confer degrees and funerals without assistance from other lodges. I fear that I can not say as much for them.
Biltmore computerized its record keeping during the first year WB Clay Sorrells was Secretary. The first computer was a 486 (pre Pentium) PC. The membership information into a Microsoft Access database which served us well. Previous to this minutes and membership work was all done by hand, pen to paper.
In 2002, Biltmore entered into an agreement with the owners of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant to allow them to use the lodge's upper property as a parking lot for their employees. This netted the lodge some money and much grief from the neighbors. Some in the lodge fought the decision as well. Because Biltmore Lodge wished to be a good neighbor he agreement was ended within the first year.
In the late 1990's Biltmore emerged into the electronic "Cyber-world" with its first iteration of a web page. A renewed web page was brought online in 2007 with the aid of the new generation Masons.
Analysis from 1900 - 1980
Century begins with 839,000 Freemasons in 12,000 lodges
Average membership of 72 in each lodge
Average annual initiation rate was 8%, with real growth at 5% (loss of 3%)
Average lodge initiated 6 and lost 2 due to all causes
By 1930 lodges averaged 214 members, 17 gains & 7 losses
It is worth noting that several years before the Great Depression, Masonic membership was flat, in fact peaked about two years before the crash of 1929. From this peak before the Depression until 1941, the last year of membership decline, Freemasonry lost close to 25% of its membership. About 10% of Masonic lodges went dark during this time. A typical lodge declined from 214 to 160 members.
In 1942, after the United States was beginning to recover from the effects of the depression and as it started producing for WWII, Freemasonry began nearly two decades of continued growth. By 1959, the number of Masons in the United States peaked at 4,100,000, an increase of 67% from 1941. The average lodge now had 259 members.
Then, in 1959, Freemasonry stopped growing, and began a slow steady decline of a little more than 1% per year up to today. For Biltmore Lodge, the high water mark was in 1987 with 537 members. By 1980, the average lodge had 213 members, initiated 6 and lost 8. The computed loss during this period, interestingly enough was about 3% per year, the same as during the first thirty years of growth. Obviously, the annual initiation rate is much lower, 2% now versus 8% then. In 1980, Freemasonry's membership was almost 4 times as large as in 1900, and 80% of its 1959 high.
The Lodge membership grew steadily over the years, with peaks and valleys like every organization. The height of the membership roles occurred in 1987 when the number peaked above 500. Since this time the numbers have fallen dramatically though we still boast a 390+ membership, larger than several other district lodges combined. Our numbers have declined for several reasons, but first and foremost, is death. Many of our members are of the World War II generation and are now in their late 70's and 80's and dying at a rapid rate. Others just let their memberships go, not caring that they have left a great fraternity in an ungraceful manner. The other reason for the decline is the seeming lack of interest of young men to join. We at Biltmore have tried to present interesting programs on nights we have no degree work but even these efforts fail to draw a crowd. I'm not sure what young men are seeking these days but it is not Masonry. We have hope that we are just in "one of those valleys" and that a turn around will happen soon.
In the first few years of the 21st century a series of books and movies sparked the interest of another generation. The movies National Treasure (2004) and the Da Vinci Code (2006) provided a favorable, albeit fanciful, portrayal of the Lodge. Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code wrote other books with Freemasonry playing a large or supporting role to the story line. In talking with this younger generation it was found that though the movie spotlight may have sparked an interest it was not the reason many joined. The reason was many and varied just like generations before.
The Grand Lodge having noticed the decline in membership and participation attempted several things to help lodges generate interest and increase membership. Lodge program books were issued with little effect. Open house meetings were encouraged where Masons and non-Masons would meet at dinner and then in an open meeting the craft would present themselves and explain Freemasonry. This too had little effect in increasing attendance and membership. Biltmore Lodge made some headway in the 1990s by sponsoring an annual picnic. The picnic was not created to generate membership but to give the Masonic family a place to gather and enjoy good fellowship.
Biltmore is fortunate to have brothers willing to present educational programs from time-to-time. Whether this generates interest in attending meetings is not truly known. During the mid 2000s with the influx of younger men it was thought that the Lodge should do what Masonry is intended to do by educating and informing in an effort to make better men. This younger group has accepted this education willingly.
Some worried in the 1990s that Masonry would be relegated to the trash heap of society because we no longer represented what modern society wanted. The evidence was clear, the detractors said, because of the declining membership and lack of attendance. What many forgot was that in the very early days of Freemasonry Lodge rarely boasted a membership of over 100 and meetings were attended in numbers comparable to today. In 2007, when this particular part of this history was being written, attendance was averaging about 30 men at a stated communication. What exactly Biltmore Lodge offers to the men who pass through the doors to the Lodge is not known. For some it is the fellowship, for another it might be the pride of being a Mason, others may seek the education offered and for some we may never know.
Conclusion
Many men have passed through the doors of Biltmore Lodge. A vast majority are known by their fellow men as good Masons and pillars of the community. Occasionally one or more stand out as true leaders and hard workers. The work they have done or continue to do is noticed, not just by the membership but by the community as well. Surely we can say of the founders of the Lodge that they labored hard to create something which they could be proud of. Men like Daniel B. Nelson and Thomas J. Reed who were the first two masters during the earliest years all the way to the current sitting Master have all maintained and improved Masonry at the gates of the Biltmore Estate.
Credit too must be paid to the countless men who acted as coaches and mentors for every candidate who was ever raised to the sublime degree. It would be impossible to name each man who taken time to work with a young candidate. Some of the men who come to mind in the later years are Jack Huff, Leonard Hare, John Bishop and Worth Gregory. Not only did these men and the countless others coach candidates but they also insisted upon a high standard of Masonic degree work. It is because of this tradition that the degrees being conferred today are as good as or better than they ever have been.
Masonry is very old, older even than the era known as Modern Masonry which had its beginnings in 1717. We may never know the true beginnings of the Masonic fraternity we enjoy today. Of the history of Biltmore Lodge No. 446 only these few lines have been put to paper to recall the vast history of thousands of men and many important events which have occurred. Masonry has changed the lives of countless men, some more than others, but not one man can claim that he was not a better man for having knocked at the door of Biltmore Lodge.
Masonry is like the artisan who works to finish the stone for placement in the wall. He chips and smooths the stone until it is as near perfect as mans hands can make it. Only God can make the man perfect.
There is an old Gaelic proverb which says "Remember the men from whence you came". Our journey continues and as we go forward may we never forget our past. May the Great Architect of the Universe bless and prosper us and may all our good intentions be crowned with success.