{"id":39,"date":"2014-08-25T01:31:02","date_gmt":"2014-08-25T01:31:02","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2018-08-03T00:47:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-03T00:47:04","slug":"harmonie-no-699","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/","title":{"rendered":"Harmonie No.699"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Genesis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The history of Harmonie Lodge is closely tied to the growth and transformation of our home, the City and region of Buffalo, New York. \u00a0Beginning as a trading post at the western edge of New York State, the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal (brainchild of M\u2234 W\u2234 DeWitt Clinton), spurred fast growth. \u00a0Men and women from across the country – and all over the world – came to Buffalo to live and work. \u00a0The City of Buffalo especially attracted German immigrants, who, by the 1840s, made up one-third of the city\u2019s population (the largest foreign-born group in Buffalo).
\nIn 1848, the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York granted a dispensation to form the first German-American Lodge in Buffalo, known as Concordia Lodge No. 143. \u00a0Concordia Lodge\u2019s Charter was granted June 13, 1849. \u00a0In July 1854, a Charter was granted to the second German-American Lodge in Buffalo, Modestia Lodge No. 340.
\nIn spite of the tribulations suffered by much of the nation during the American Civil War, the City of Buffalo grew and expanded during the 1860s. \u00a0Abraham Lincoln visited Buffalo on February 16, 1861, and the Civil War years saw an increase in the population of Buffalo from 81,029 to 94,210 by 1865. \u00a0In 1868, construction on Frederick Law Olmsted\u2019s public park system began in the City, creating the United States’ oldest coordinated system of recreational spaces and parkways. \u00a0During this time of local prosperity, 17 Brothers from Modestia and Concordia Lodges decided to form a third German Lodge in Buffalo. \u00a0Dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge on November 30, 1869, to form our Lodge, Harmonie No. 699, which was named after the Greek Goddess of Harmony – (Harmonia).
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nThe first meeting under dispensation, on December 15, 1869, was held over Charles\u2019 Ladies Apparel Store at 416 Main Street, just south of Court Street, in Buffalo. \u00a0This building later became C. A. Weed & Co.\u2019s place of business, and eventually Liberty National Bank, and is known today as the Liberty Building. \u00a0The first candidates initiated into Freemasonry at Harmonie Lodge on January 15, 1870, were Bernhardt F. Gentch, William Jaeger, Wemer Nachbar, and Henry D. Zittel. The Charter for Harmonie Lodge was finally granted on June 13, 1870.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nBy the 1880s the City of Buffalo and her Masons were both thriving. \u00a0In 1888, elaborate plans were made for the financing and erection of the Masonic Temple at 43 Niagara Street. \u00a0The building contract was awarded for the sum of $130,541 for labor and materials, except the cost of the brick, which was furnished by Brother Louis Kirkland of Concordia Lodge No. 143. Harmonie Lodge owned an equal share of the Temple property with other Lodges on account of our significant contribution to its financing.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nHarmonie Lodge was well known for its Octet singing at the beginning of the 20th century. \u00a0Vocal music being quite popular at that time, some members of Harmonie Lodge also belonged to \u201cBuffalo Orpheus\u201d, which was a famous German singing society, and which featured a splendid rendition of \u201cGott Gruese Dich\u201d. \u00a0Brother Fritz Erfling was the organist, director, and choirmaster of Buffalo Orpheus for many years.
\nOn June 19, 1895, Harmonie Lodge celebrated its 25th anniversary (25. Jahrestag Feier). \u00a0The keynote address at this event was given by Most Worshipful Christopher G. Fox, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Metamorphosis<\/h2>\n

The brethren of Harmonie Lodge utilized the German language – in both business and ritual – until the year 1914. \u00a0This alteration (from traditional German to English) opened the Lodge\u2019s doors to many non-German speaking sons, relatives, and friends, affording them an opportunity to ask for Masonic membership petitions, and increasing our Lodge membership to nearly 475 Masons.
\nThe 50-year Golden Jubilee of Harmonie Lodge was celebrated in 1920, beginning on Sunday, June 13th. \u00a0Worshipful Master Frederick Woelfinger, officers and members, first attended services at St. Paul\u2019s United Evangelical Church. The address and sermon were given by Rev. Christian G. Haas, who was also the Chaplain of our Lodge. \u00a0Reflecting over the past years, he stated, \u201cGood has been our past, as were the material and spiritual accomplishments. \u00a0We also know we have not attained perfection in our daily life. \u00a0There is always work waiting for our Brethren, for a continued desire to be faithful to mankind.\u201d \u00a0On June 14th, Brothers and their wives attended dinner, entertainment, and dancing at the Ellicott Club. \u00a0Many notable Masonic dignitaries of various Lodges and concordant bodies were invited, and they expressed their charitable views of Harmonie Lodge\u2019s first 50 years of Masonry.
\nThe 75-year Diamond Jubilee celebration began a few months after the close of World War II, on October 17, 1945. \u00a0Worshipful Master John W. Williams, officers and brethren, attended services at Trinity Evangelical Church of Christ. \u00a0The address and sermon were again given by our then-Lodge Chaplain, Rev. Leon K. Molter. He outlined the high ideals of our Lodge during the past 75 years, evaluating our blessings, and humbly asking that our Symbolic working tools always be kept bright and shining, for a continuity of service to our beloved Craft. \u00a0On October 20th at 8:00 PM, a regular stated communication for members and Masonic friends was held, wherein W\u2234 John W. Williams and the officers presented an ideal 75th anniversary program. \u00a0A few weeks later, on November 10, 1945 at 6:30 PM, a dinner, entertainment and dancing for Lodge members, their family and friends, was held at the Buffalo Trap and Field Club, to conclude the Diamond Jubilee celebration.
\nAfter the close of World War II, like many American fraternities, Harmonie Lodge continued to grow in membership and fellowship. \u00a0In fact, brethren of Harmonie Lodge played prominent parts in the founding of other Lodges, including Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157 and Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163. \u00a0In particular, R:. W:. George A. Richter with the aid of V\u2234W\u2234 Harry Saxton formed a square club that eventually become Eggertsville Lodge. \u00a0By July 1957, the Sweet Home Square Club was operating and many of Harmonie\u2019s members were participating therein. \u00a0Seven of the charter members of Eggertsville Lodge were members of Harmonie No. 699 (Rowland Williams, Harry Saxton, Robert Cochrane, Theodore Shamp, Frank Hendry, James Thompson, Richard Harris and George Richter \u2013 honorary). \u00a0W\u2234 Rowland Williams, Master of Harmonie Lodge in 1949, became Eggertsville Lodge\u2019s first Master. \u00a0When dispensation was granted, R\u2234W\u2234 Henry Z. Lang, Jr. sat as Master for the evening prior to the officers taking their stations under dispensation. \u00a0R\u2234W\u2234 Harry Saxton became Eggertsville Lodge\u2019s second Master. \u00a0On the occasion of the granting of the Charter to Eggertsville Lodge, the Fellowcraft Club of Harmonie Lodge presented a complete set of officers\u2019 aprons to the new officers of Eggertsville Lodge.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nSimilarly, Assistant Grand Lecturer, V\u2234 W\u2234 Harry E. Saxton and R\u2234 W\u2234 George A. Richter became charter members of Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163, and W\u2234 Medford E. Hampe became Worshipful Master of that Lodge in its early years.
\nOn the occasion of our 100th Anniversary, Harmonie Lodge was granted the special privilege by the officers of Liberty Bank, to hold our Anniversary Lodge meeting on December 3, 1969, at the site of our first meeting; the aforementioned Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo. \u00a0At this meeting, Charles W. Weiftheimer was elected Worshipful Master, together with the officers for 1970. \u00a0In keeping with the tradition of marking important Lodge anniversaries, a Gala Banquet at the Ismailia Shrine Mosque was held to celebrate our Centennial. \u00a0We were honored by an address by Most Worshipful Grand Master William R. Knapp. \u00a0Worshipful Donald R. Coe, introduced many Masonic notables while warmly serving as Toastmaster.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nDespite the auspicious history and development of Harmonie Lodge, we were spared not the demographic and social challenges experienced by Lodges in the latter part of the 20th Century. \u00a0Because of the changing community and the reconstruction of our inner city, the architectural splendor that was our Masonic Temple was razed in 1971. \u00a0Today, it is the site of the New York State Family Court building of Erie County. \u00a0When it became necessary to vacate the Temple property, the equity of each owning body was prorated and then paid to each owning body of the Temple. \u00a0The amount that Harmonie Lodge received became, for many years, the Lodge\u2019s permanent fund, or nest egg. \u00a0After the closing of the Buffalo Temple, Harmonie Lodge rented lodge room space from Ancient Landmark Temple at 318 Pearl Street for two years, and, in 1973, took up Lodge room rental of Depew Masonic Temple. \u00a0In September 1994 a move was again made, to our current (and semi-permanent) home at Although far from immune to the demographic challenges facing the Craft (the loss of older Brothers with fewer new initiates seeking to take their place) Harmonie survived these \u201clean\u201d years through the wizened leadership of men like W\u2234 Alois Altendorfer, R\u2234W\u2234 Henry Sip Lange, Jr., W\u2234 Richard N. Koenig, W\u2234 Karl H. Buehrig, W\u2234 Robert H. Bickert, W\u2234 Kenneth E. Bigelow, W\u2234 Jeffrey L. Parks, W\u2234 Leroy H. Lieder, V\u2234W\u2234 Ronald J. Keel, W:. Gerard E. Schultz, Jr., R\u2234W\u2234 James M. Kipler, W\u2234 Dan Gajewski, R\u2234W\u2234 John L. Leszak, and others.<\/p>\n

Renaissance<\/h2>\n

The beginning of the 3rd Millennium has seen a worldwide resurgence of interest in Freemasonry. Much of this can be attributed to popular culture\u2019s recent fascination with our Craft. Books such as Dan Brown\u2019s DaVinci Code and Lost Symbol; high profile articles in U.S. News & World Report, the New York Times, and CBS Sunday Morning; movies such as National Treasure; History Channel documentaries; an explosion of Masonic websites; and even the Simpson\u2019s Stone Cutters parody, have fueled this increased interest.
\nHarmonie Lodge has benefited greatly from this popular exposure and has leveraged the internet and social media platforms to attract and retain new members. These new Brothers are sometimes the grandchildren of Masons and the children of the \u201clost generation\u201d of men who avoided the traditions of their fathers. Thus, in some ways, we have brought back into the fold many family lines nearly lost to Masonry.
\nAs the 21st century progressed, we saw an explosion of worthy and well-qualified young men petitioning Harmonie Lodge. These enthusiastic new brethren have been drawn from a diverse set of professional backgrounds including law, medicine, business, banking, government, and information technology.
\nOn December 31, 2005, Harmonie Lodge lost one of her most dedicated Brothers and a consummate ritualist, V\u2234 W\u2234 Ronald J. Keel. \u00a0The brethren of Harmonie Lodge were deeply affected by his untimely passing, and on January 11, 2006, we established the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club to honor his memory. \u00a0The Ronald J. Keel (RJK) Fellowcraft Club affords new Lodge members the opportunity to learn, socialize and work together in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The Club is dedicated to charity, education, and fellowship. The founders of the RJK Fellowcraft Club were J.C. Litwin, Bro. John P. Balk, and W\u2234 Frederick G. Clark II. \u00a0As an organ of Harmonie Lodge, the Club continues to grow and has attracted members from Lodges across Erie County. \u00a0As much as it is a platform for growth for all Fellowcrafts, it is also a proving ground for Lodge leadership, by thoroughly cultivating the potential of each of its members. The R.J.KF.C also founded the Ward A. Peterson Fund. This started as a simple assistance fund, nothing but a few hundred dollars just in case a Brother should need help. As the recession grew in 2008 the fund quickly depleted . V\u2234W\u2234 Daniel J. Di Natale, President of the R.J.K.F.C 2011-13, reestablished the fund and it quickly grew. It has grown so large so fast that it is now part of the Lodge\u2019s permanent budget and under Trustee control. The Ward A. Peterson Fund ,since 2011, has raised and donated well over $10,000 to many charitable causes. The most important being direct relief of a Brother or his family in times of need.
\nIn September 2006, Harmonie joined with Masons across New York in celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York. Harmonie\u2019s Master R\u2234 W\u2234James Kipler presided over the Lodge rededication ceremony, in which the brethren renewed their obligations to the Craft. \u00a0In 2007, during the Mastership of W\u2234 Gerard E. Schultz, the Brethren of Harmonie Lodge performed the Master Mason Degree in its entirety for the first time in recent memory. W\u2234 Schultz\u2019s Mastership was marked by a an increase in the membership, and a growth of educational programs and ritual proficiency.
\nInspired by the example of V\u2234 W\u2234 Bro. Keel, and supported by Lodge statesmen like W\u2234 Gerard E. Schultz, Jr., W\u2234 James M. Kipler, and R\u2234 W\u2234 John L. Leszak, between 2005 and 2008, the seeds of significant renewal in Harmonie Lodge were planted and began to germinate. \u00a0Working groups of young Brothers sprang up to explore the variety of Freemasonry existent in the United States and abroad, such as European Concept Lodges and Traditional Observance Lodges. \u00a0Brothers Shoff , Clark, and Di Natale along with J. C. Litwin, were impressed with the return to classical, Enlightenment, traditions displayed in these Masonic styles, but did not wish to limit the brethren of Harmonie Lodge to a style or concept developed and defined by others. \u00a0Harmonie Lodge has always been unique, and these Brothers sought to renew Harmonie Lodge in a like distinct fashion. \u00a0Combining some of the formalities and methods of early Masonic Lodges with new technologies and cutting-edge ideas, Janusian Masonry was born at Harmonie Lodge.
\nIt is hard to believe that it has been only a little more than six years since these reforms began to be implemented, as the brethren raised in Harmonie this year are undertaking such a uniquely different experience than the new members and Brothers of the early 2000s.
\nOn June 11, 2008, Jonathan C. Litwin was installed as the first Master of Harmonie Lodge to have been raised in the 21st Century. J.C. Litwin served as Master of the Lodge until June 2010. \u00a0While we must rightly recognize the initial contribution that Litwin made to the concept of Janusian Masonry, it is important to note that, sadly, he was subsequently expelled from the Fraternity in 2013 after being found to have committed significant acts of un-Masonic conduct. \u00a0Nevertheless, the spirit of Janusian Masonry survived, and thrived, during the Masterships of W\u2234 Nathan A. Shoff, W\u2234 Frederick G. Clark, III, and V\u2234W\u2234 Daniel J. DiNatale – the Founders of Janusian Masonry.
\nFrom 2008 through 2013, the Lodge Bylaws (the organizing rules of the Lodge) were significantly updated and revised to account for modern methods of communication, and streamlined processes, such as the use of electronic correspondence for notification of special Lodge meetings. \u00a0Although our financial investments have always been prudently managed by the elected Trustees and their agents, our Lodge did not escape the financial collapse which marked the beginning of the Great Recession in 2008. \u00a0Compounding the loss of a large percentage of our investment portfolio, was the fact that, for many years, Harmonie ran on deficit spending (withdrawing funds from our investments to cover regular annual lodge costs). \u00a0W\u2234 Shoff and W\u2234 Clark put a stop to this by returning the members\u2019 dues structure to a level that was both reasonable in relation to the value provided by Lodge membership, and sufficient to fully cover the Lodge\u2019s projected financial needs. In 2012 the Lodge finalized a structured wealth management plan, placing us on sure footing for the foreseeable future.\u00a0This first Janusian act – to financially shore up the Lodge and recognize its true value to members – was accomplished by enacting a bylaw which gradually increases regular members\u2019 dues through the year 2020.
\nOne of the hallmarks of Janusian Masonry as it has developed during the Masterships of Brothers Shoff, Clark and Di Natale, include a renewal and elaboration of our Masonic Ritual – one of the core functions of a Freemason\u2019s Lodge. \u00a0For example, during W.: Shoff\u2019s time as Master of the Lodge, the brethren superbly performed all portions of the Three Degrees\u2019 rituals, and many of said rituals were accompanied by beautiful music. \u00a0While it was the tradition for many years that a Masonic Lodge have a trained keyboard player to accompany the ritual with organ or piano, most lodges (Harmonie included) no longer have brothers skilled in that particular instrument. \u00a0However, with the advent of inexpensive laptop computers and digital music, our Lodge has been able to include some of the most beautiful full choral and orchestral music during our ritual performances, with the click of a button. \u00a0W\u2234 Clark and W\u2234 DiNatale built on W.: Shoff\u2019s foundation, by commissioning and building a first-rate surround-sound speaker system in the lodge room at Sweet Home Masonic Temple.
\nV\u2234 W\u2234 DiNatale has been a vocal critic of poor ritual, and a keen student of the development of Masonic ritual text from the pre-Anderson days of the Craft, through to our \u201cmodern\u201d Ritual Renaissance. \u00a0For his efforts, he was most recently honored by the Grand Lodge of New York by being appointed the Assistant Grand Lecturer for the First Erie District. \u00a0Specific to Harmonie Lodge, V\u2234 W\u2234 Di Natale helped to raise funds for – and secure – new lodge officer jewels and aprons, just in time for our 140th Anniversary in 2010. \u00a0Additionally, during V\u2234W\u2234 DiNatale\u2019s term as Master of Harmonie Lodge, he obtained brand new candidate and participant clothing for the Third Degree of Masonry in 2013. \u00a0While remaining true to our traditional ritual text, the improved performance, music, and accoutrements made possible by modern technology, have served to increase the depth of meaning imparted thereby.
\nAnother key component of the Janusian-style rebirth in Harmonie, has been our renewed focus on Masonic education and scholarship. \u00a0In 2009, the officers of Harmonie Lodge formalized and named the Masonic educational programs that had been developing ad hoc since 2004. The Lodge named this system of Masonic education \u201cConcordia Collegium: Academy of the Progressive Science of Freemasonry.\u201d Four courses of study were made available: (1) Candidates Course (prospective Brother through Master Mason); (2) Officers Course (Junior Steward though Junior Deacon); Masters Course (Senior Deacon through Worshipful Master); and Continuing Masonic Education (Master Mason through Past Master). \u00a0A primary feature of the Candidates\u2019 Course, includes the creation of a \u201cMaster\u2019s Piece\u201d by a Fellowcraft aspiring to become Master Mason. \u00a0Just as the operative Fellowcrafts of old had to prove their worth through the beautiful carving of stone, our speculative brethren have created magnificent works of music, art, science, woodcraft, scholarly research, poetry, and prose. \u00a0This has not only enriched the candidates\u2019 experience, but also the Lodge as a whole.
\nMore than twenty-eight lectures, seminars, and other educational programs were presented by the brethren of Harmonie Lodge from 2008 to 2014, with many of the presentations having been published on our website. \u00a0These programs included topics on Masonic Law, Masonic History, the symbolism and meaning of Tracing Boards, historical development of Masonic ritual, Freemasonry and ancient mystery schools, and even Freemasonry viewed through the lens of pop culture. \u00a0The quality and extent of these programs led to several invitations to lecture at the Western New York Lodge of Research and Erie County School of Instruction for Master Masons, and, in 2013, the research paper \u201cThe Ancient Landmarks: Our Indefinite Boundaries\u201d by W:. Nathan A. Shoff was selected for inclusion in the WNY Lodge of Research\u2019s Book of Transactions in 2013.
\nIf that were not enough, the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club presented the Masonic University of New York\u2019s Masonic Development Course (MDC), in three parts in January, February, and March of 2010. The faculty for the MDC were R:. W\u2234 James Kipler as head proctor, W\u2234 Nathan Shoff, W\u2234 Ted Clark, and V\u2234W\u2234 Daniel Di Natale. There was a large turnout from both Harmonie and the other Lodges in the Erie Districts.
\nAlthough important to the mental and moral development of our brethren, Masonic education can sometimes get a bit dry. To avoid this, W\u2234 Shoff developed a Masonic-themed Jeopardy game that members of Harmonie Lodge have played once annually since 2009. \u00a0This event has become so popular for the fun way in which it teaches Masonic history and concepts, that it was borrowed by the First & Second Erie Districts, who, in 2012, ran the V\u2234 W\u2234 Ronald J. Keel Jeopardy Tournament, to benefit the Masonic Care Community. Harmonie\u2019s version of Masonic Jeopardy has since been used by Lodges and Districts across the State.
\nIn addition to the fun of Masonic Jeopardy, W.: Shoff also took interested brethren on a \u201cfield trip\u201d across interesting and important Masonic sites in and around Buffalo. \u00a0V\u2234 W\u2234 Di Natale expanded on this concept and, since 2011, has annually hosted a tour of Famous Freemasons in Forest Lawn Cemetery. \u00a0This provides an opportunity for brethren and guests to learn how interwoven the Craft has been with the development of our City and region, as well as pay respects to our Masonic forebears.
\nAnother important facet of Janusian Masonry championed by Brothers Clark and DiNatale, is the steadfast connection between Masons, the Masonic Community, and the Community at large. \u00a0In a word, Fellowship. \u00a0During each of the Master\u2019s visits to Grand Lodge in New York City since 2009, the Master of Harmonie and selected brethren, have broken bread (and imbibed their share of grain) with amazing Brothers and friends from downstate lodges, such as Mariners Lodge No. 67.
\nIn June 2011, W\u2234 Frederick (\u201cTed\u201d) Clark II was installed as Master, and his benevolent and diplomatic leadership raised Lodge morale to an all-time high. He streamlined Lodge business meetings, reducing them to 30 minutes in length with the implementation of new administrative procedures, and providing ample time for the renewed fellowship of the Festive Board (or \u201cAgape\u201d). \u00a0Additionally, W\u2234 Clark pursued increased cooperation and fellowship between Lodges in the First Erie District, including our brethren attending the Scottish Table Lodge of Ancient Landmarks Lodge, the educational seminars of the WNY Lodge of Research, and providing assistance when needed to other Lodge\u2019s ritual degrees. \u00a0Another enjoyable fellowship event started in October 2013, was the \u201cWine with Neal\u201d wine tasting for Brothers and their wives\/girlfriends, hosted at Bro. Kratzer\u2019s wine store, The Wine Room in Williamsville.
\nThe first presentation of the Harmonie Lodge Distinguished Speaker Series kicked off on October 26, 2011, when W\u2234 Andrew Hammer, Past Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, graced us with his presence. He presented a lecture based on his recent book, Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labour and Observance. Observing the Craft is a manifesto of sorts for the observant Mason, who seeks quality over quantity in every aspect of Masonry. It is a stringent argument for the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge as the new plus ultra of the Craft, asking that Masons put actions behind their statements that \u201cnothing is higher than the third degree.\u201d It is a book that calls for nothing but the utmost personal effort and commitment to be put into the operation of a Masonic Lodge, and the experience of a Masonic meeting, in search of the transformational experience which Masons define as \u201cmaking good men better.\u201d \u00a0V\u2234 W\u2234 Di Natale was honored to host the next Distinguished Speaker in 2013, W\u2234 Patrick Craddock (scholar and artisan behind the unique apron and regalia source The Craftsman\u2019s Apron), who gave the presentation \u201cAdmit Him if Properly Clothed: The Evolution of the Masonic Apron in America 1740 to Present\u201d.
\nA bedrock of Harmonie Lodge – as with all well-governed Freemason Lodges – is the act of providing charitable relief to brethren and society at large. \u00a0Harmonie Lodge has been distinguished in exhibiting this virtue in the past 3 years. \u00a0For example, with the assistance of V\u2234W\u2234 Di Natale (then-President of the RJK Fellowcraft Club), W\u2234 Clark was able to present a significant donation to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory on behalf of Harmonie Lodge in 2011. \u00a0After the terrible floods suffered by our downstate neighbors due to Hurricane Sandy, in 2012, V\u2234 W\u2234 DiNatale along with Bro. Jacisin, Bro. Kaminski, and Bro. Borowski brought a caravan of much-needed supplies donated by our upstate brethren, to the Brothers of New York City and New Jersey.
\nFor all these developments, Harmonie Lodge has been greatly honored, including being awarded the Mark Twain Award for Excellence in Masonic Awareness for 2010. This prestigious award was announced at the Annual Conference of Grand Masters in late February 2011 and was presented to Harmonie Lodge by M\u2234 W\u2234 Vincent Libone, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York in May 2011. Only 17 Lodges in North America received this honor. But the greatest honor, has been the consistent growth in membership of devoted Brothers over the past decade, and the secure future our Lodge will enjoy for many years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Genesis The history of Harmonie Lodge is closely tied to the growth and transformation of our home, the City and region of Buffalo, New York. \u00a0Beginning as a trading post at the western edge of New York State, the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal (brainchild of M\u2234 W\u2234 DeWitt Clinton), spurred fast growth. \u00a0Men […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":40,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nHarmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Harmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Genesis The history of Harmonie Lodge is closely tied to the growth and transformation of our home, the City and region of Buffalo, New York. \u00a0Beginning as a trading post at the western edge of New York State, the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal (brainchild of M\u2234 W\u2234 DeWitt Clinton), spurred fast growth. \u00a0Men […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Erie County History Project\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-08-03T00:47:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Harmonie%20Coat%20of%20Arms%20Colored%20.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"20 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/\",\"name\":\"Harmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/08\\\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-08-25T01:31:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-08-03T00:47:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/08\\\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/08\\\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg\",\"width\":150,\"height\":150},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/harmonie-no-699\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Harmonie No.699\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/\",\"name\":\"Erie County History Project\",\"description\":\"Freemasonry in Buffalo and Erie County\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\\\/eriecountyhistory\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Harmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Harmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project","og_description":"Genesis The history of Harmonie Lodge is closely tied to the growth and transformation of our home, the City and region of Buffalo, New York. \u00a0Beginning as a trading post at the western edge of New York State, the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal (brainchild of M\u2234 W\u2234 DeWitt Clinton), spurred fast growth. \u00a0Men […]","og_url":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/","og_site_name":"Erie County History Project","article_modified_time":"2018-08-03T00:47:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":150,"height":150,"url":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"20 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/","url":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/","name":"Harmonie No.699 - Erie County History Project","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg","datePublished":"2014-08-25T01:31:02+00:00","dateModified":"2018-08-03T00:47:04+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Harmonie Coat of Arms Colored .jpg","width":150,"height":150},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/harmonie-no-699\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Harmonie No.699"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/#website","url":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/","name":"Erie County History Project","description":"Freemasonry in Buffalo and Erie County","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125,"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions\/125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/masonicdigitaltrust.org\/eriecountyhistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}