Norfolk Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M.

                                                               Norfolk, Virginia

The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, 1777-1823, Volume 1" in its introduction includes a short history of the rise and progress of Ancient York Masonry in Virginia previous to the creation of a Grand Lodge. Norfolk Lodge No.1, formerly Royal Exchange constituted in 1733, assisted in forming the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1777-1778. A committee appointed to regulate the rank of the several Lodges under jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in its report , Norfolk Lodge No. 1 was given senior standing and the committee report was adopted October 1786,

January 1, 1776, the British fleet under Lord Dunmore destroyed the Borough of Norfolk and it is reported the fire burned for three days and the only building left standing was St. Pauls Church. The Masonic Temple at the corner of Freemason and Cumberland Streets was destroyed with all records. Because of the loss of these valuable records the exact age of the Lodge, which is believed to be one of the oldest in the United States, cannot now be accurately determined. It is said that Freemason Street derives the name from the fact that the Lodge met at this Freemason Street address. It is believed that the Lodge then met in a building on Church Street known as Masons Hall, the exact location is not known.

During the years 1869-1875, Norfolk Lodge met in a hall prepared for this purpose in the Odd Fellows building on Church Street. The Lodge next moved to the Masonic Temple, Freemason and Brewer Streets.

Norfolk Lodge No. 1 held its first Stated Communication in the new Masonic Temple, located at Granby Street and Breckenridge Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia July 4, 1957 at 8:00 P.M. The Worshipful Master, Worshipful J. Hubbard Davis noted that it was befitting that the Senior Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Virginia should hold its first stated communication in the new Masonic Temple on July 4^th.

At a special communication of this Lodge held on October 24, 1824, Worshipful Brother Marquis de Lafayette, his son Worshipful George Washington Lafayette, and Brother Le Vasseur, Military Aide of the Marquis, were made Honorary Members.

Norfolk Lodge No. 1 conducted the Masonic Ceremonies, Wednesday, February 22, 1899, in laying the cornerstone of the Confederate Monument in the City of Norfolk, Virginia.