wall in a beautiful custom carved wooden frame.  

How Mt. Nebo Came into Possession of the Apron

Mount Nebo has long cherished owning the George Washington / Lafayette Masonic Apron, which was preserved for over a Century hanging on the North Lodge wall in a beautiful custom carved wooden frame. 

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A Gift to General Washington

This apron, a gift of the Grand Lodge of France, was presented to General George Washington through “the great and good patriot and Mason”, General Lafayette. Mount Nebo No. 91 AF&AM, came into its possession of the apron through Captain Thomas Hammond, husband of Mildred Washington, daughter of Charles Washington, brother of the First President. 

 

Smithsonian Institution Ceremony

Mr. B.B. French, Grand Master of the District of Columbia, wore the apron at the laying of the cornerstone of the Smithsonian Institution in 1847. During the ceremony, Mr. French informed the assembled multitude, (says the Washington Intelligencer of 2 May, 1847) “that he had the honor then to wear the apron worn by the Father of His Country at the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol of these United States”. The apron was also worn in an elaborate 1848 Fourth of July cornerstone laying ceremony of the Washington Monument. The architect, Robert Mills, was a Mason. The apron was also worn during ceremonies of The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Charles Washington

The apron was made in France, was sent to this country to General Lafayette, and by him presented to General Washington during the Revolutionary war, and was worn by the President at every Lodge session he attended up to the time of his death. After the President’s death it came into the custody of his youngest brother, Charles Washington. The county seat of Jefferson County, West Virginia, was laid out by, and named Charles-Town, in honor of Charles Washington. George Washington Hammond married a daughter of Charles Washington and through his wife became the owner of the apron, and in 1815 he was made a Mason in Mount Nebo Lodge, and presented the apron to the Lodge, where it has remained since that time. 

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Captain Thomas Hammond and Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo No. 91 AF&AM, came into its possession of the apron through Captain Thomas Hammond, husband of Mildred Washington, daughter of Charles  Washington, brother of the First President. Captain Hammond was Master of Mount Nebo in 1848.

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The U.S.  Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony

Mr. B.B. French, Grand Master of the District of Columbia, wore the apron at the laying of the cornerstone of the Smithsonian Institution in 1847. During the ceremony, Mr. French informed the assembled multitude, (says the Washington Intelligencer of 2 May, 1847) "that he had the honor then to wear the apron worn by the Father of His Country at the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol of these United States"

 

Washington Monument Ceremony

The apron was also worn in an elaborate 1848 Fourth of July cornerstone laying ceremony of the Washington Monument. The architect, Robert Mills, was a Mason. The apron was also worn during ceremonies of The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.  

 

The following was published in “The Shepherdstown Register" of their 100th Anniversary Edition dated December 4, 1949:

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                                                            "MT. NEBO HAS APRON WORN BY GEO. WASHINGTON"

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Old Masonic Apron 

It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact that Mt. Nebo Lodge, No.91, Free Masons, of this town, have in their possession an Apron which has often been worn by Gen. Washington.  It was presented to the Lodge by Thomas Hammond, who married a Miss Washington and was initiated into this Lodge in 1815, it then being the only Lodge in this part of the State except one at Winchester; and family history of the apron is, “that it was presented by the Grand Lodge of France, through Gen. La Fayette to General Washington,” and remained an heirloom in the family until presented to this Lodge which still carefully preserves it.  It is white satin, fringed with black silk, with the following Masonic emblems beautifully wrought in gold and silver tissue:  at the top the cable-town infestoons, then, then the gavel, the square and compasses with their staff, the French and American flags.  Where the staffs intersect are the skull, bone and pilgrim’s sword, and entwined among these is a sprig of cassia.  This apron has been worn on many public occasions.  It was worn by the Grand Masters officiating at the laying of the corner-stone of the Washington Monument, Smithsonian Institute, the monument in the capital square in Richmond, and the Masonic Convocation at Mt. Vernon.”

 

Where is the Washington Apron Today?

While the Apron is currently on loan for study and preservation at Mt. Vernon Estates,  in Mt. Vernon, Virginia, it will return to Mt. Nebo for our upcoming Bicentennial Celebration on December 11 and 12, 2012.

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The Apron Frame

In the February 3rd, 1868 meeting minutes, a motion was made to have the Stewards "have a frame made with a glass front, the better to preserve Gen. Washington's apron."  In 1892, the apron was loaned to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota for their Annual Communication.  In appreciation for the loan of such a valuable object, the Grand Lodge had a beautiful hand carved frame built to display the apron.  On the top of the frame, two engravings were added. 

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TOP LEFT: The Grand Lodge of Minnesota to Mt Nebo Lodge #91 WVA For their courtesy in loaning us the Washington Apron St Paul Minn Jun 14, 1892

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TOP RIGHT: Presented to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota by The Waterville Furniture Factory L.Z. Rogers proper PSGW 

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The Grand Lodge transported both the apron and the frame to Chicago, where a camera was available to photograph them.  That photo is included in the Mount Nebo Lodge Bicentennial Brochure.  For over a Century, the George Washington / Lafayette apron has hung in Mount Nebo Lodge, protected from the sun in a dark lodge room.  Without publicity and out of the public eye, it came to be known by many as the "Lost Apron".