It is not known for certain when Freemasonry began, but there are records referencing Masons from as early as the 14th century.. A widely accepted theory among Masonic scholars and historians trace its beginnings to the Middle Ages, when stonemasons’ guilds and cathedral builders traveled throughout Europe. As free masons moved from one construction site to the next, they would gather in shelter houses. They had to prove their skills in order to secure work, so they formed a bond, or guilds, to recognize their skills as bona fide masons, to perfect their art and to protect the secrets of their trade. The square and compasses – the tools of the masons’ trade – became the symbol of their brotherhood.

The language, symbols and customs used in the fraternity’s rituals come from this era. The knowledge and skills of the trade had to be passed from one mason to another, from the experienced to the inexperienced, with masters introducing new workers as apprentices and teaching their fellows to become masters of the craft. They were concerned for each other and were charitable to those in need: widows, orphans and their destitute brethren.

As the need for such builders declined, those outside of the trade started to become members of the fraternity, continuing to use the customs and tools of the craft to convey moral truths. In the 1600s, evidence exists of gentlemen, men of prominence who were interested in learning about all types of sciences, particularly architecture and building, being made Freemasons. At the end of the 17th century, the lodges were attracting more non-masons of integrity and goodwill, calling them “Accepted” Masons.

In 1717, four lodges in London formed the Grand Lodge of England, the first Grand Lodge in the world, to govern the lodges in the country. By 1723, the new Grand Lodge had published its first rulebook, “The Constitutions of the Free-Masons,” and was meeting quarterly and recording its meetings. Subsequent Grand Lodges were established: Ireland in 1725; Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), in 1731; Massachusetts in 1733; and Scotland in 1736.

Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America. During the late 1700s, it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.

During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time, the government had provided no social “safety net.” The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew.

Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity emphasizing personal study, self-improvement and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. Today in North America, the Masonic fraternity continues this tradition by giving almost $2 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals and children’s homes, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service and providing care to Masons and others in their retirement years.

More than 80,000 Masons in Pennsylvania and several million worldwide continue to help men and women face the challenges of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts of men ideals for a better tomorrow.