Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Healy Tavern Sign with Masonic Symbols
1819
Maker not marked
USA: New Hampshire (probably)
Chestnut; maple; paint
overall: 63-1/2"h x 34-1/2"w x 1-7/8"d
Special Acquisitions Fund
92.003

Trade Sign; double sided dark blue painted oval sign board inscribed in gold: "Entertainment by / J. Healy / 1819" with Masonic square and compass; enclosed by a red painted rectangular frame with turned stiles and egg-shaped finials; board mortised and tenoned into frame.

In the 1700s and early 1800s, taverns were a convenient place for Masonic meetings--they could provide privacy, space and refreshments. This sign hung at Jesse Healy's (1769-1854) tavern in Charlestown, New Hampshire. Although Healy belonged to Faithful Lodge No. 12 in Charlestown, and Hiram Lodge No. 9 in nearby Claremont, there is no record of either of these lodges meeting at his tavern. He, like other tavern owners, likely advertised his Masonic affiliation to attract clientele among the traveling brethren. For further information, see blog post, March 18, 2010 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2010/03/which-way-to-the-masonic-lodge.html AND Hamilton, John D., "Material Culture of American Freemasons," 1994, p. 27-28.