WHAT IS A LODGE OF RESEARCH?

A lodge of research is a group of Freemasons interested in the entertainment, inspiration and information to be found in an application of the principles of scholarship and historical investigation to the study of the origins and history of the oldest fraternity in the world.

IS THIS A NEW IDEA?

The first lodge of research, Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, was organized in 1884. Thereafter, many other Grand Jurisdictions in the United States and throughout the world began to charter research Lodges. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman served as Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research while serving as President of the United States; he had chartered the Lodge in 1941 during his Grand Mastership.

THE AMERICAN LODGE OF RESEARCH

The American Lodge of Research is the oldest Masonic research Lodge in the United States. It was organized in 1931, and has been continuously active and productive since. Although its activities were originally directed towards the study of Masonic history in the United States, the Lodge now encourages work in wider and more general topics of Masonic study.

WHEN DOES THE LODGE MEET?

The plan of holding three Stated Communications each year has been followed with additional Special Communications held at frequent intervals as the occasion requires. Special communications are called, from time to time, in places other than Masonic Hall, upon petition to the Secretary and approval by the Lodge.

EDITORIAL POLICY

All papers must have a Masonic connection and must be submitted in the English language electronic format.  Acceptable file formats are non-formatted text or MW Word ONLY.  A very short abstract (not more than five sentences is suggested) must be the opening paragraph, and should be titled as such.  A short bio of the author should be included.  Do not format the document.  Graphics should be in JPEG format.  Contact the Publications Committee with questions.

Papers must be submitted by e-mail to the Publications Committee via the Secretary.

Submissions become the property of The American Lodge of Research, with the author retaining credit for the submission. 

All submissions must represent the original work of the author and should present a new idea, argument or discovery, which constitutes a material statement respecting an aspect of the Craft or of the history of some element of the Institution. Authors are responsible for content in their submissions.

A paper to be published must contain bibliographic notes and references. Although no limitation on length is prescribed, the presentation of a paper in Lodge should not exceed 30 minutes.

Receipt of papers will not be acknowledged, nor will hardcopies of papers be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed with the submission and return of the paper is requested.

The Lodge reminds readers that the papers published in the Transactions are the responsibility of the authors, and not of the Lodge nor of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. Any paper contained in the Transactions may be read in any Lodge, Chapter or other Masonic meeting group. Although no permission is required in advance, courtesy dictates that appropriate credit be given to the source and to the author, and that advices as to the use sent to the Secretary would be appreciated.

No portion of any paper may be reproduced, printed or otherwise published, etc., without prior permission. Short quotations may be used for reference or comment upon advices to the Secretary as to the use thereof, and upon the extension of appropriate credits.

Requests for reproduction should be directed to the Secretary.  No portion of any paper may be reproduced, printed, reprinted or otherwise published without prior permission.

WHERE DOES THE LODGE MEET?

All Stated Communications of the Lodge are held in the City of New York at Masonic Hall on West 23rd Street. Occasionally, upon the application of a Lodge, The American Lodge of Research will meet at other locations throughout the state, and upon the invitation of another recognized Grand Lodge or a subordinate Lodge within its jurisdiction with the permission of its Grand Lodge, outside of New York State. Special meetings held in other locations are rarely held more then once each year.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

Please contact the Secretary, Master or Web Master if you are interested in affiliating.

There are three classes of membership, including Corresponding Membership, Active Membership and Fellowship. The linked petition is for Corresponding Membership; an application for Active Membership may be obtained by request from the Secretary. Corresponding Membership is available to any Master Mason who is a member of a regularly constituted Lodge under the jurisdiction of either the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, or any other Grand Lodge recognized by the New York Grand Lodge. In addition, organizations such as libraries, Masonic Lodges, and other educational bodies and accredited Masonic groups may obtain Corresponding Membership.

Active Membership is limited to Master Masons who have previously published or read a paper before the Lodge or before some other recognized Masonic Lodge of research, or have exhibited some other academic qualification that commends him to the Lodge.

Fellowship is an honor, conferred upon a Master Mason who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship in Masonry.

HOW IS THE LODGE FUNDED?

The Lodge income is generated entirely from its fees, dues and sales. The income is used principally for the publication of the annual TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN LODGE OF RESEARCH, which are sent to each member of the Lodge; additional copies are also available for general sale. Meeting notices and other mailings are periodically sent to the membership, and from time to time, additional publications are issued and disseminated. The Lodge also sells Jewels, certificates, and its various publications.

WHAT ARE THE TRANSACTIONS?

THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN LODGE OF RESEARCH are published annually and contain the several papers presented in the Lodge at its Stated and Special Communications for the year immediately preceding, together with other submissions approved by the Publications Committee. In addition, each edition contains a digest of the meetings and a membership report; they issue in November of each year, and are sent to each member. The Transactions are available in either the standard, paper-cover volume or a hard-cover edition, bearing a dark blue cover with gold-letter imprinting.

IS THE ALR FOR SCHOLARS ONLY?

Although The American Lodge of Research is proud that many of the great Masonic men of letters, both past and present, have been members of the Lodge, anyone interested in Freemasonry will find the Lodge an enjoyable place to visit and a valuable source of Masonic knowledge and information.