A historic Masonic Lodge nearing its 200th anniversary in Madison, New Jersey, has been saved from sale and possible demolition thanks to a generous donation of $1 million from a local resident.
The Madison Borough Council approved a measure to allocate $125,000 from its Open Space Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which when combined with the $1 million donation from Martin Heller, a longstanding developer in the area, allowed the borough to purchase the Masonic Lodge for a total of $1,125,000.
The initiative was well-received, marking a significant community effort to preserve and repurpose a valued historical landmark.
Martin Heller, of the Heller Group on Main Street, pledged this significant donation to aid in the purchase of the historic Madison Masonic Lodge building. This donation enables Madison to acquire the structure from Masonic Lodge 93, with plans to renovate the building for community use.
The renovated space is projected to serve as a senior center among other purposes, enhancing the borough’s social infrastructure and preserving a piece of its rich historical tapestry3.
Previously, the trustees of the Madison Masonic Lodge had sought to sell the nearly 200-year-old building on Main Street, making this acquisition a timely intervention to secure and repurpose the historic property for community benefit4.
