Floyd Lodge No. 329, A.F. & A.M.

                                                                 Floyd, Virginia

A group of men in the town of Jacksonville, later to become Floyd, desiring to have a local Masonic Lodge, petitioned the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a charter. The Grand Lodge issued a charter in the name of Lietch Lodge No. 131 on December 12, 1855. The Lodge met in the upper room of a building belonging to Andrew J. Kirby. The Lodge had twenty-three members at that time. The officers were:

James Leftwoch                      Worshipful Master

Henry Lane                             Senior Warden

Sam G. Williams                     Junior Warden

The meeting place was changed in 1856 to a room over the printing office of Woltz & Pryor. There were thirty-two members at that time. In 1859, the Lodge began meeting at the Male Academy at Floyd Courthouse. The Lodge was suspended from 1863 to 1865 during the years of the Civil War. The Lodge became inactive in 1875 and was suspended in1878.

Desiring to see that a Lodge was once again established, a group of Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a charter, and one was issued as Howard Wayte Lodge No. 248 on December 7, 1893. The officers were:

J. W. Elliott                             Worshipful Master

A. G. Edwards                        Senior Warden

H. D. Spencer                         Junior Warden

The Lodge met on the first Wednesday of every month at Floyd. This Lodge continued to grow and prosper until 1907, at which time it was dissolved.  This unfortunate state of affairs was brought about by a lamentable homicide committed by one of the members of Howard Wayte Lodge No. 248, which resulted in factions and dissensions, which could not be healed.

In 1917, a group of Masons once again being desirous of having a Masonic Lodge, were granted authority to hold a Masonic Lodge under dispensation dated March 31, 1917, and signed by Most Worshipful Henry K. Field, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. The officers were:

W. D. Vaughan                       Worshipful Master

H. L. Lawson                          Senior Warden

Kyle M. Weeks                       Junior Warden

The Lodge met on the first Tuesday and third Saturday nights of each month. It was later found that this created a conflict with the meeting date of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Therefore, the meeting dates were changed to the first Tuesday and the Saturday following the third Sunday of each month. The meeting place of this Lodge was the Odd Fellows Hall. The dues were $3.00 per year and were paid quarterly. The rent paid to the Odd Fellows for use of their hall was $3.00 per month. During the period of time that this Lodge operated there were many visitors from Hylton Lodge No. 153.

The Lodge at this time owed money to the Peoples Bank of Floyd in the amount of $25.00 with interest payable in the amount of fifty cents each four months. This Lodge paid for the meals and lodging of the Worshipful Master at the Brame Hotel when he was in Floyd on Lodge business. This Lodge continued to operate until a charter was granted for the convening of Floyd Lodge No. 329 on February 11, 1920. The officers were:

Kyle M. Weeks                       Worshipful Master

B. S. Pedigo                            Senior Warden

W. D. Vaughan                       Junior Warden

The dues at that time were $3.00 per year. The records also show that the Lodge employed a janitor at that time for the sum of fifty cents per month.

In October 1921, the Lodge found a new place to hold their meetings. It was in a room provided by B. G. Howard for the sum of $60.00 per year, with Mr. Howard providing fuel and lights. A committee was appointed to acquire the necessary furnishings so that the Lodge could be held at this new location.

In 1923, the Lodge made a noteworthy contribution to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. On June 2, 1928, it was reported that the officers aprons had been destroyed by improper washing and the Lodge was required to purchase new aprons. In 1929, the Lodge voted to send funds to the Masonic Home of Virginia for use in providing entertainment to the children living there.

The Lodge purchased its current home on April 10, 1954.