Freemasons of Ohio celebrate the year long bicentennial celebration for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio. Founded in London, England, in 1717, Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization, with more than 3.6 million members worldwide and more than 200,000 in Ohio.   Freemasons celebrated the symbolic “passing of the torch of brotherhood” from the older to the newer lodge. The specially made punched-tin lantern, a popular decoration among early pioneers, will be passed from Lodge to Lodge in their local Masonic District, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest.  There are 25 Districts in Ohio, and all will participate in this program. The passing of this symbolic torch reminds the Freemasons of how their fraternity has grown over the last 200 years.

The first Masonic Lodge in Ohio was American Union Lodge No. 1, which was reorganized in Marietta in 1780.  In early January of 1808, representatives of the six Ohio Masonic Lodges met in Chillicothe at the then State Capital Building and formed a state governing body, called the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio. 

Today there are some 540 Masonic Lodges in Ohio with a combined membership of 120,000.  For more information visit www.freemason.com.

The Precepts of Freemasonry are the exercise of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. It is considered that by practicing these three attributes one may become a better person for themselves, their God, and their community.