On Thursday October 30, 2008, General Andrew Jackson, PMWGM of Tennessee visited Jackson, Tennessee to open an historical exhibit and attend a book signing about his years in the White House. Newsweek editor and author Jon Meacham could have chosen any historical figure to write about. He chose Andrew Jackson because of what he calls "the perfect embodiment of competing influences" in the country's seventh president.
Meacham was in Jackson on Thursday to present a lecture on his book "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House." The lecture helped kick off the Three Stars of Tennessee exhibition, which opens at The Carnegie on Saturday. This historic Exhibit includes a display of of the replica Grand Master's Apron worn by MWGM Jackson and the original Charter of Jackson Lodge #45 from 1823.
A preview celebration was held Thursday night and included a re-enactment of the evening of Sept. 18, 1825, when Jackson and his wife were wined and dined by the city's residents. The exhibition is a salute to honor the hero of the Battle of New Orleans.
Part of the celebration was the recreation of the Masonic escort that greeted General Jackson when he and his wife Rachael visited Jackson for the first time in 1825. Members of Jackson Lodge #45 provided the honor guard then and now. Jackson Lodge #45 was chartered Oct. 6th, 1823 during the administration of Andrew Jackson as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Tennessee. As it turned out, the actor who portrayed General Jackson is also a Mason from Old Hickory Lodge in Old Hickory, Tennessee and was delighted to don an Apron for the ceremony. As result, the peculiar badge of the Mason was seen by all and will be on CBS Sunday Morning. A great "unintended consequence" of our activities of that evening. Throughout the evening, due to the high profile of Masonry during the opening ceremonies, many questions about Masons and Masonry were asked and answers given by members of Lodge #45 to members of the large crowd in attendance.
Many thanks to all who participated that evening and helped present Masonry and Lodge #45 in a great light. A special thanks to Life Member Brother Tom Lewis by getting this projected started with an email to the event organizer, Libby Murphy and to Brother Jimmy Owen for photographing this historic event for the Lodge.
Lodge #45 members in attendance:
Honor Guard: Bobby Henderson, PMWGM; Marty Amick, PM; Alan Turner, PM; Tera Spencer, PM; Robert Warmath, PM; Derek White, PM; Jeffery McClemore, SW; G. Michael Winslow, Sec; Mike Stanton, JW; and Terry Blackburn.
