Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777, A.F. & A.M.

                                                       Highland Springs, Virginia

Discussions about the formation of a Research Lodge for Virginia began in 1949. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful A. Douglas Smith, Jr., favored such action, but “it had never been done before.” Most Worshipful Brother Smith and other Past Grand Masters felt that the Grand Lodge itself should determine its fate.

A resolution was submitted to the Grand Lodge requesting a dispensation. The delegates approved the recommendation and “The Virginia Lodge of Research, U. D.” was born on February 15, 1950. It received its charter on February 14, 1951. James Noah Hillman, Grand Secretary and Past Grand Master, served the Lodge as its Worshipful Master from the beginning until 1958. William Moseley Brown, Past Grand Master, became Worshipful Master at that time.

Until 1965, the Lodge struggled to exist. Far too many believed its membership consisted of “long-haired gentlemen” and stayed away. With the move from the old temple at Adams and Broad Streets in Richmond to the temple in Highland Springs, this mistaken notion began to disappear. Those who came to visit found a fellowship and down-to-earth discussion about Freemasonry they could find nowhere else. Visitors became members.

A history of the Lodge was ordered to be written and printed, in 1978. It became AA CHRONICLE OF VIRGINIA RESEARCH LODGE NO 1777  written by Allen E. Roberts. In 1980, yearly “Transactions” were authorized and have been continued. These contain the papers presented during the quarterly meetings of the Lodge, if the Lodge deems them fit to be perpetuated.

From the beginning, Virginia Research Lodge has performed no degree work. Its members must be Master Masons in good standing in a Lodge recognized as legitimate by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Because of this, some members of the Lodge recommended to the Grand Lodge that balloting on individual petitions was a waste of time in this Lodge. A concerted effort by a few in Grand Lodge kept this from becoming a reality until a short time ago. Now a collective ballot is all that is necessary.

The Lodge pays no per capita dues to the Grand Lodge because it is a creature and servant of all Lodges in Virginia. It has no vote in the Grand Lodge and makes no recommendation for a District Deputy Grand Master.

Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777 meets on the fourth Saturdays of March, June and September, and on the second Saturday in December at 10:00 A. M. It can meet anywhere in Virginia but its home is in the Masonic Temple in Highland Springs.