King Solomon's Lodge No. 11
F. & A.M.

Any history of a Masonic Lodge should contain three basic components. It is useful to know of significant events and occurrences. Its physical structures and places of meeting may give some insight into the paths it has taken. Most important of all are the people, the succession of brethren who have brought the institution to the place of eminence where the reader may stand to view its past as well as look to the future.

It is interesting to note that the early history paralleled the ebb and flow of Freemasonry in general in that era. In September 1806, a petition from nine Freemasons to the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island for a dispensation to form a lodge at East Greenwich was granted. The lodge met under this dispensation until it was granted a charter on October 4, 1810. The original charter is still in the possession of the lodge. The lodge flourished until the anti-Masonic period when the charter, along with those of several other lodges was surrendered. No meetings were held from 1827 to 1852 at which time, on petition, the charter was restored.

June 24, 1891 saw fifty brothers march to the train station in East Greenwich to ride to the centennial celebration of Grand Lodge in Providence. Lodge records contain references to a succession of church services, memorials, burial rites and charitable gifts over the long years. These include a vote in May 1906 to authorize a relief contribution for brothers in distress in San Francisco.

Several customs were initiated that continue to the present day. August 1906 saw a vote to present a jewel to each retiring Master. April 1907 marked the occasion of the first Ladies Night complete with a reception, music and dining. In May 1914 the Past Masters of the lodge began the practice of exemplifying a degree each year when invited to do so.

In October 1908, a proposed revision of the by-laws contained a proposal to change the meeting night from the Tuesday on or before the full moon to a stated night. Masons always proceed with caution and circumspection! The change to the second Tuesday of the month was approved in February 1920.

It is recorded the lodge was first held in a schoolroom of the East Greenwich Academy, then over a stable at Tibbets Tavern, the Arcade Building in 1853 and Odd Fellows Building in 1878. The lodge has the lantern that was hung at the Arcade Building on nights the lodge was in session. On September 23, 1893, the cornerstone was laid for its own Masonic Building on Main Street and the first meeting held there was April 17, 1894. The present Masonic Temple on Division Street was dedicated on April 30, 1967. Today, several lodges and other affiliated organizations meet in this beautiful structure.

Ultimately the Lodge is its people - the brethren. The early minutes of the lodge are handwritten by brother Emerson Gould. He was elected Secretary in 1885 and served until his death in 1929 - forty four years. The history of the changing times in the area can be noted by the occupations of the petitioners over the years. These included farmer, blacksmith, carpenter, telegraph operator, motorman, student, physician, aircraft mechanic, and military service. As with many other lodges, there have been many father-and-son members over the years.

Time, patience and perseverance by a long line of Masons reaching back to 1806, through periods war and peace, trial and good fortune, have delivered to us today an active, viable, charitable and caring institution. King Solomon's Lodge No. 11, F. & A.M. is strong, not because it is old, nor because it is big, but because it has had over its long history and has today sincere dedicated Masons who work for it and who live the most excellent tenets taught in it. We look to the future with a sense of obligation to transmit to coming generations all that has been inherited and the confidence in the ability of the present generation of Masons to do so.