The Masonic Hall On Filbert Street, Near Eighth, Philadelphia:

committee were also authorised to make such alterations as were necessary . The chairman of the Building Committee , Bro . James Milnor , afterwards Grand Master , reported to the Grand Lodge , November loth , 1802 , that the Grand Lodge Room was nearly finished , but that the other parts of the building were not in so forward a state . At the same meeting it was resolved

that the building be called and known as "The Pennsylvania Freemasons ' Hall , " and that the Building Committee have an inscription engraved on copper or other lasting substance , commemorative of the time when tha building of the hall was commenced or undertaken , to be put up inside of the hall . The changes made in the building were as follows : —The upper storey was raised some ten feet ; the Grand Lodge Room was on the third floorand

, was about thirty-four feet square ; the ceiling of the room , eleven feet eight inches high , was cut through in a circular form , the opening being about twenty feet in diameter , and . a dome was erected supported by eight columns or pillars , placed in a circular form ; the dome and walls were plastered and finished in white . Within the circle ( twenty feet ) on the floor was no doubt a tessellated pavement , thus forming the Lodge . The floors were all double

ancl were deadened . The Brethren were seated on a da'is around the room , and in the south-east corner , at the head of the stairs , was the T yler ' s Porch . The room must have presented a fine appearance in those days . Above the dome was a cupola , but the latter has long since been removed . The dome , however , remains intact , and can be seen plainly , as you all will bear witness to-day , having examined the same . The entrance to the building was at the

eastern end towards Eighth Street . At the door were placed two highly ornamented columns . In the second storey was the Chapter and Encampment Rooms . This room was also rented out for balls , parties , etc . Tho first floor was fitted up for a school , and rented to some respectable teacher ( who was a Mason ) , the rent to be paid by the education of a certain ' number of children of worthy Masons in needy circumstances . There was also a banquet room . The rents of the Chapter and Encampment Room were fixed at 520 per annum , while the Lodges paid 540 per annum .

The dedication ceremonies took place on December 27 th , 1802 , ancl surpassed all other displays of that time . Everything was done to add to the effect of the spectacle . The line formed at nine o ' clock and moved at half-past eleven o ' clock from the Church of the Universalists , on Lombard , between Fourth and Tifth Streets , led bj two Ty lers with drawn swords , the Brethren all carryinowandsthe officers bearing the emblems of their offices . Four Past Masters

, carried the Lodge , which was covered with white satin . The consecrating vessels of corn , wine , and oil , and the greater and lesser li ghts , were carried in state by Past Masters , ancl no doubt to the wonderment of the citizen lookers-on . The elective Grand Officers each marched with his successor in office at his left hand . The Grand Master , Bro . Jonathan Bayard Smith , had , at his right handthe Grand Master of New Jersey , Bro . John Beatty ; the

, Grand Deacon and Grand Pursuivant closing up the line of procession . When the procession reached the building , the Brethren halted , opened the ranks , and the R . W . Grand Master , attended by the Grand Master of New Jersey , R . W . Bro . Beatty , and followed by the Grand Officers and a very considerable number of Brethren , were received in the outer apartment under a display of music . On the Grand Master reaching Solomon ' s Chair the

present Grand Officers took their seats , ancl the elect ancl Past Grand Officers , the reverend Brethren , members of the Hall Committee and other Brethren , repaired to the seats prepared for them . The Grand Master being proclaimed the music performed a grand piece till all the Brethren were seated . The Lodge was then placed in the centre of the hall , and the three lesser Li ghts with the three silver pitchers containing corn , wine and oil were placed , thereon . The Bible , square , compasses , and Book of Constitutions on a crimson 2 H