James Noah Hillman Lodge No. 1883 A.F. & A.M.

Southwest area of Virginia

Under construction by William Baumbach, more information coming soon!

 A dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful Jeffry E. Hodges on May 30, 2009, for the formation of James Noah Hillman Lodge No. 1883.

Officers designated in the dispensation were:

Jason Scott Wamsley             Worshipful Master

Jonathan Mark Mills                Senior Warden

Jack R. Flanary, II                   Junior Warden

The charter for James Noah Hillman Lodge No. 1883 was issued on November 7, 2009.

The first communication of James Noah Hillman Lodge No. 1883 was held on ???

Most Worshipful James Noah Hillman - Past Grand Master -Grand Secretary Emeritus 1883-1959.

Worshipful Jason Wamsley’s remarks at the Institution of the James Noah Hillman Lodge of Research. May 30, 2009

My brethren, ritual is what makes us Masons; but history and tradition is what defines
as such.

Southwest Virginia is rich in Masonic history and it is our duty to see that it lives on,
not just in the minute books to be archived and forgotten, but in speeches, papers, and
other forms of educational material so that the area lodges and brethren can benefit
from it.

It pleases me today to stand before you as a small gear in this Masonic machine, this
machine that is called a research lodge. The foundation of this research lodge is
southwest Virginia Masonic history and events. The cornerstone is those brethren
who stepped forward to help break new ground and help see this lodge through. I
have no doubt that the charter members, this core group of brethren, which has
assembled to be this lodge, is up to the task of preserving and researching that history.

Almost a year has passed now since the idea of forming this lodge was started. I stand
before you as the Lodge’s first Worshipful Master. Earlier this morning the Grand
Lodge of Virginia convened and in this room instituted this Lodge and installed her
first group of officers; Mark Mills, our Senior Warden, Jack Flanary, II, our Junior
Warden, Kevin Marcus and Garret Jackson, our Senior and Junior Deacons, Jim
Glovier, Secretary, Winston Terry, Treasurer, Brian Collins as Chaplain, and J.C.
Schweingrouber, our Tiler. These brethren and the many brethren who stepped
forward to be a part of this, without you this would not have been possible, and I
thank you.

I must also thank our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Jeff Hodges, for suggesting the
name, James Noah Hillman, to christen our lodge. I thank his family for giving us the
permission to do so. I also would like to thank Right Worshipful Brother Paul
Sleeper. A couple of years ago he afforded me the opportunity to be a member of the
Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education and now it is my impetus for
Freemasonry. I also want to thank my very understanding and loving wife. Without
her patience and help some of this may not have been completed.

This morning you will hear the first two papers produced by members of the James
Noah Hillman Research Lodge. The first paper, presented by Worshipful Garret
Jackson centers on a punch ladle, once owned by Brother George Washington, our
First President, and is now in possession of Abingdon Lodge, No. 48. The second
paper, presented by Worshipful Mark Mills features our namesake, Most Worshipful
James Noah Hillman.