BOWLING GREEN, OH – The Freemasons of Wood County Lodge #112 hosted a public open house event on Saturday, April 22, from 1-5 p.m. The open house provided community members with an opportunity to learn more about the history and practices of the Freemasons, a worldwide men’s fraternity with deep historical roots.
Located at 159 N Main Street in Bowling Green, the Wood County Lodge is situated directly across from the Uptown/Downtown bar and is nestled between Loonar Station and Get Inspired Nutrition. The lodge room, found on the third floor of the building, is accessible via the front entrance stairway, with an ADA compliant wheelchair lift located in the rear of the building.
The event welcomed curious individuals and families to explore the lodge, take part in building tours, and enjoy light snacks and refreshments. Members of the lodge and their families were present to share insights into the world of Freemasonry.
Wood County Lodge holds a special place in the history of Freemasonry in Northwest Ohio. Established in 1843, it is the oldest continuously-meeting lodge in the region. The lodge’s initial meetings were conducted by moonlight in a barn in Tontogany, and its location has changed several times throughout the years. In 1920, the downtown Bowling Green building was purchased and renovated, and the lodge has held its meetings there ever since.
The lodge contains an array of historical documents and photographs of local Masons dating back to the 1800s. Of particular interest, several chairs in the lodge room are original seats from the Cla-Zel theatre, which were saved and refurbished during the theatre’s renovation.
As the world’s oldest and largest men’s fraternity, Freemasonry has a significant presence in the annals of history. Thirteen signers of the United States Constitution and fourteen U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, were Freemasons. Today, there are over 2 million Freemasons in North America, with 90,000 residing in Ohio.
Freemasonry traces its origins to the guilds of stonemasons who constructed castles and cathedrals in the Middle Ages. The tools and symbols of stonemasons have been repurposed in modern Freemasonry to teach moral lessons. The emblem of the fraternity is the Square and Compasses design, which is recognized globally as a symbol of character, charity, and friendship.
The fraternity brings together men from diverse political, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds to work collaboratively to improve themselves and their communities, adhering to the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth.
For additional information about the Freemasons of Wood County Lodge #112 or Freemasonry in general, individuals can contact WoodCountyMasons@gmail.com or visit the Ohio Grand Lodge website at www.freemason.com.
