The Bicentennial of Mount Nebo Lodge # 91 was celebrated on December 10th and 11th, 2011 at the Masonic Temple on German Street in Shepherdstown.  Mount Nebo was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 11th, 1811 and after the Civil War, was Chartered  in 1872 by the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.

 

On Saturday, December 10th at 10 am, a Special Communication  was held at Mount Nebo .  All Master Masons were invited to attend.  Prior to the Lodge Meeting, pastries and coffee were available at 9am.  The WV Grand Master, Most Worshipful Charles Lauk was in attendance, as was many Grand Lodge Officers and distinguished guests.  A presentation was made during the Lodge Meeting  on the history of Mount Nebo Lodge, the George Washington Apron, and the life of George Washington as a Mason.  After Lodge was closed, a presentation was made by Laura Simo, Associate Curator at Mount Vernon, on the recent work done at Mount Vernon to validate the authenticity of the apron.  A luncheon was held at Noon, following the Lodge meeting.  

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The Lodge was open to the Public on Sunday, December 11th from Noon until 3pm.  The George Washington Masonic Apron was publicly unveiled for the first time in Shepherdstown at 1pm.  Laura Simo, Associate Curator from Mount Vernon, made a public presentation on the history of the Masonic Apron.   All were welcome to attend and see the historic George Washington Masonic Apron, which will be returned to Mount Vernon for continued preservation and research.   

 

For both days of the celebration, the George Washington Masonic Apron was on display.  For over a century, the apron has hung on the North Lodge wall and has recently been removed and restored at Mount Vernon.  

The Mount Nebo Masonic lodge came into its possession of the apron through Thomas Hammond, husband of Mildred Washington, daughter of Charles Washington, brother of the First President.