Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Cornerstone Laying of Prince Hall Masonic Temple
1930
James Van Der Zee (1886-1983)
USA: New York, New York City
Silver print photograph on paper
sheet: 5"h x 7"w
Museum Purchase
94.052

Black and white photograph of "Cornerstone Laying of Masonic Temple"; street scene of crowd (African Americans) assembled to witness cornerstone laying of a Masonic Temple; banner in foreground inscribed "Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient & Honorable Fraternity F. & A. M. State of New York"; photo verso with photographer's signature, date, studio handstamp "G.G.G. Photo Studio, doc./ 109 w. 135th St."

In the late-1920s, the growing number of African American Masons established dozens of new Prince Hall lodges across the United States. Here, Prince Hall Freemasons from New York participate in a cornerstone laying for a new Masonic temple in Harlem. Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the event. For further information, see blog post, February 4, 2010 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2010/02/from-boston-to-washington-dc-prince-hall-freemasonry.html