A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMOS BEECHER LODGE 121 AF&AM NEWHARTFORD CT 06057

Amos Beecher Lodge AF&AM was instuted MARCH 25,1885, by Most Worshipful Brother Dwight Waugh, Grand Master, and His Associate Grand Lodge Officers.

The Program for the evening was

FLAG SALUTE

NATIONAL ANTHEM                                      SOLOIST MRS. MARGARET S. PRATT

INVOCATION                                                  BRO. & REV. RICHARD NORDGREN

WELCOME                                                     W.BRO. JAMES N. SADLER, W.M.

HISORY                                                           W. BRO. STANLEY L, INGERSOLL, P.M.

INTRODUCTION OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

ADDRESS                                                      M.W. BRO. & REV. RUSSELL H. MILNES, G.M.

ENTERTAINMENT                                        WINSTED YOUTH TALENT CLUB

GOD BLESS AMERICA

MIZPAH BENEDICTION

                                                        REFRESHMENTS

 The first meeting place was Tunxis Hall, later known as the New Hartford  Fire House, The fire house at this time was located at the eastern end of the bridge in the center of town, A couple of years later the lodge was moved because the brothers could no obtain a long term lease from the Fire Dept.

Brother Gates was building a new building at the corner of Main and Bridge streets . The new building was being built with room for a large meeting hall on the third floor. He offiered to rent the area to the lodge for an annual fee of $175.00. A five year lease was signed and they moved into the new building until 1889. 

In 1941, WB Thomas F. Manghue passed into that Celestial Lodge. He was the owner of the property that the lodge was using at the time and he gave the lodge the right to buy the building but the offer was decilined.

The condition of the building deteriorated over the following years and in 1954, the decisision was made to find another location.

It was suggested that Lodge return to Tunxis Hall. As history will tell it was a good idea that this move was never carried out. The Fire Department was completely demolished in the flood of Aug 19th, 1955.

After considering several location, Worshipful Brother Wayne L. Blount, and his committee convinced the lodge brother to move to the third floor of the Chirico Building located over the Post Office. It took several months of hard work by volunteers from the membershio and under the guidance of Worshipful Brother Wayne L. Blount and Prentiss R. Jenks jr.

Dedication of the new hall was held on September 26, 1956 with Most Worshipful Brother J. hll Manwaring, Grand Master, and his Associuate Grand Lodge Officer presiding.

Over the years, Amos Beecher Lodge had many "ups and downs" In 1889,m a very successful fair was held where the lodge raised $1,860.00. This money was used for furnishings of the Lodge Rooms. Another  fair was held in 1896 where another $1,239.00 was raised to be used for Charatable purposes.

In 1904 and 1926, the lodge received serious damge by fire.

In 1908, a large delegation from the Lodge attended the dedication of Bulkeley Bridge in Hartford.. One of the brothers who attended the dedication was Worshipful Brother James B, Tiffany, who had painstakingly made the Working Tools used in the dedication ceremonies at a shop in Pine Meadow. The tools were placed in the capsule of the cornerstone. This corner stone was later excavated for the new highway, The Working Tools were retured to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut by Mayor Kindella at its annual communication in April of 1960.

When I joined the lodge we held our meeting on the top floor above the old town hall. I am sure that some of the older brothers who remember the walk up that flight of stairs will remind me of how many steps it was to the top.

We presently meet at the Nepauge Grange Hall on Rt. 202.

This has been a facinating look back at Amos Beecher from 1885 until 1960. I will be continuing my research up until the present.