Today, April 9th, 2015, the regular communication of Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 in Washington, DC will feature a program commemorating the sesquicentenary of the end of the U.S. Civil War presented by RW Paul Bessel, "The Spirit of Freemasonry ay Appomattox Courthouse."
6:30 PM - Dinner (all are welcome)
7:30 PM - Lodge (Masons only)
8:00 PM - (approximately) Program OPEN to ladies and non-Masons.
April 9, 2015, marks the 150th anniversary of the day that Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.
Stories, some true and some apocryphal, about how some Freemasons on both sides of the Civil War acted at the end of the conflict to try to bring about peaceful reconciliation. It will include how the armies came to be at Appomattox Court House and focus on the special roles played by Union General and Brother (in one day) Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Confederate General and Brother (maybe) John B. Gordon.
A reception to follow the program in the refectory.
The address is 115 Carroll Street NW Washington, DC.
Please RSVP to Bud.Michels@gmail.com to ensure sufficient amount of refreshment.