HOULTON, Maine — Black History Month was celebrated on Feb. 9, by Monument Lodge No. 96 with a special home visit to a shut-in member Brother Charles Griffith, who was unable to attend the special observance.
W.M. Bryan Shaw called upon him before the meeting. The genesis of this celebration arose in 1925 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History established the second week of February as “Negro History Week.”
Now known as “Black History Month,” it is to observe, recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of America’s Black population and their role in our history.
In 1998 The Grand Lodge of Maine entered into fraternal relations with The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which exists primarily for African-Americans.
North Star Lodge No. 22 is located in Bangor and is the only Prince Hall Masonic Lodge in Maine.
On Aug. 28, 1999, North Star Lodge formally attended the dedication of The George Washington Maine Masonic Monument in Houlton.
In January 2008, an invitation was extended to North Star Lodge to officially visit Monument Lodge which was accepted. This inter-lodge meeting was the first to take place in Maine after Prince Hall Freemasonry was formally recognized.
The meeting was attended by Grand Master Gerald Leighton who recognized that issues of the past were now in the past and that Maine Freemasonry was moving forward.
This small step has led to North Star Lodge now holding its meetings in the Bangor Masonic Center. Brethren to Brethren — it is good.
