Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Washington the President-Mason
1932
Hattie Elizabeth Burdette (1872-1955); United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission
USA: Washington, D.C.
Lithograph on paper
overall: 51:h x 36-1/2"w
Gift of Union Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Dorchester, Massachusetts
75.46.26

Interior scene in a Masonic lodge, with standing figure of George Washington wearing the Watson-Casoul apron and a Past Master jewel, in an attitude of just having called the lodge to prayer; in his right hand is a gavel, which rests upon a pedestal, and his feet form a perpendicular angle. In the background is the Master's chair. On plaque: PRESENTED TO UNION LODGE A.F. & A.M. / BY / WOR. ROLLIN H. FISHER / 1941.

The United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission arranged for artist Hattie E. Burdette (1872-1955) to create this portrait of Washington as part of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth (1732). Burdette portrayed Washington as the presiding officer, or Worshipful Master, of the Masonic lodge in Alexandria, Virginia, holding a gavel and standing in front of the Master’s chair. Washington held this position at the lodge while he was President of the United States. The Bicentennial Commission ordered several thousand photolithographs of Burdette’s image in different sizes. The manufacturer covered some of the prints with a coating that made the surface look like hand-applied oil paint. Representatives from every state distributed the photolithographs to Masonic organizations throughout the country. For more information, see Newell, Aimee, et.al., "Curiosities of the Craft: Treasures from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Collection", 2013, p. 272-273.