Mark Tabbert: History of Freemasonry in Burlington, Iowa since 1840

The first Masonic meeting in the Iowa Territory was held on the evening of November 6, 1840, in the Burlington carpenter shop of Brother Evan Evans. That meeting led to the chartering of the Des Moines Lodge No 41 by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In 1844 the Des Moines Lodge was rechartered as the first lodge in the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and continues to meet to the present day. What is Freemasonry? How did it come to Burlington? And what do Freemasons do? These questions, along with an explanation of the numerous other fraternal organizations that once, and still serve diverse Burlington communities will be presented.

Please use the Columbia Street door with the blue awning. Doors will open at 5:45.