On Tuesday June 14, the officers and members of King Solomon’s Lodge
rededicated the original monument on the grounds of the Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown.
This is a special honor that our lodge has the responsibility to uphold, preserve and continue.
In 1794, the officers and members of King Solomon’s Lodge voted to erect a
monument in memory of Most Worshipful Joseph Warren who fell and died in the
Battle of Bunker Hill, on land which was donated to the Lodge by the Honorable
James Russell. A Tuscan Pillar, eighteen feet in height was placed upon a platform
two feet high and eight feet square and fenced to protect it.
it was dedicated in December 1794. Now this original monument was destroyed
by weather, neglect and vandals over time.
When the plans for the existing monument were started it was learned that we,
King Solomon’s Lodge owned the land that the monument stands on. It was decided
that we donate this land to the Bunker Hill Monument Association under the condition
that a model of our original monument would be placed in a conspicuous place in the larger one.
This was done in June 1845 and this model of the original monument stands well lighted
at the foot of the stairway leading to the top of the monument.
Every year since the Master of King Solomon’s Lodge, places a wreath at the foot
of this ‘model’ monument and a small service is held. This has been done every year
with one exception during World War I.
Immediately following we went to the Warren Tavern in Charlestown for dinner
and refreshments. The Warren Tavern in Charlestown was the meeting place of
King Solomon’s Lodge for the early formidable years until the Masonic Building
was built in Thompson Square.
Article Provided By Brother Joey Lacey