The Secrets of Masonic Washington. A Guidebook to Signs, Symbols, and Ceremonies at the Origin of America's Capital

194 Pages·2008·64.58 MB·English

by  James Wasserman

The Secrets of
Masonic Washington
“This is the best book to date on the Masonic influences on the forma-
tion and growth of the early American republic. Destined to be a classic,
it seamlessly weaves the exotic and esoteric aspects of history together
into a guided walking tour of America’s occult greatness, showing that
‘holy land’ is not something that is found somewhere else but is right
here beneath our feet. More than just a look at the past, it is a veritable
tour of the future and of what America can be again.”
Mark Stavish, director of studies at the
Institute for Hermetic Studies and
author of FREEMASONRY: RITUALS,
SYMBOLS & HISTORY OF THE SECRET SOCIETY
“James Wasserman has an unparalleled track record prospecting in the
Solomonic mines of occult worlds and emerging with 24-karat nuggets
of secret history. He then subjects these to the assays of rational logic
and analysis. From the Hashishim and Knights Templar of medieval
times, to America’s Founding Fathers of three centuries ago, Wasser-
man knows how to decode the symbols, unravel the secrets, and find
historical gold.”
Dan Burstein, editor of
SECRETS OF THE CODE and
SECRETS OF ANGELS & DEMONS
“James Wasserman provides us with an informative guidebook to the
wondrous neoclassical monuments of Washington, D.C. Use it when
you visit the nation’s capital and become enlightened and one with its
Founding Fathers.”
Robert R. Hieronimus, author of
FOUNDING FATHERS, SECRET SOCIETIES and
UNITED SYMBOLISM OF AMERICA
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Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom, instructing famous inventors (including Freemasons
Benjamin Franklin and Robert Fulton) in science, art, and geometry. Note the Mason
holding a pair of compasses at left. Detail from The Apotheosis of Washington by Con-
stantino Brumidi in the Capitol Rotunda. (Architect of the Capitol.)
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The Secrets of
MASONIC
WASHINGTON
A Guidebook to the Signs,
Symbols, and Ceremonies at
the Origin of America’s Capital
James Wasserman
Destiny Books
Rochester, Vermont
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Destiny Books
One Park Street
Rochester, Vermont 05767
www.DestinyBooks.com
Destiny Books is a division of Inner Traditions International
Copyright © 2008 by James Wasserman
All rights reserved. No part of this book, in part or whole, may be reproduced,
transmitted, or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechani-
cal, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for
brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wasserman, James, 1948–
The secrets of Masonic Washington : a guidebook to signs, symbols, and cer-
emonies at the origin of America’s capital / James Wasserman.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
print ISBN 978-1-59477-266-5 (pbk.)
ebookISBN 978-1-62055-341-1
1. Freemasonry—Washington (D.C.)—History. 2. Freemasonry—Sym-
bolism—Washington (D.C.) 3. Freemasonry—Rituals—Washington (D.C.)
4. Symbolism in architecture—Washington (D.C.) 5. Washington (D.C.)—
Guidebooks. I. Title.
HS537.D52W37 2008
366'.109753—dc22
2008032011
Printed and bound in India by Replika Press Pvt. Ltd.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Book design and typography by Studio 31 (www.studio31.com) and
Jon Desautels/Destiny Books
This book was typeset in Sabon and Gill Sans
Photos are by James Wasserman unless otherwise noted.
The maps are reproduced courtesy of American Map Corporation and are
copyright © 2007 Alexandria Drafting Company. They have been modified
with permission for this publication.
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America
May God continue
to shed His Grace on Thee
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George Washington as Master of his lodge by Hattie Burdette. (Copyright the George
Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. All Rights Reserved. Photogra-
phy by Arthur W. Pierson, Falls Church, Virginia.)
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Contents
Introduction—Hidden in Plain Sight 9
Freemasonry and the Cause of Human Liberty 13
The Masonic Design of Washington, D.C. 45
A Walking Tour of the Capital 71
The Capitol Area 77
Union Station 105
Judiciary Square 109
Federal Triangle 115
The White House, Ellipse, and Lafayette Park 133
The Federal Reserve and the National Academy of Sciences 145
West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin 155
The National Mall 161

Epilogue—A Vision of the Future of America 165
Directory of Sites 172
Notes 178
Selected Bibliography 180
Acknowledgments 183
Index 186
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introduction
Hidden in Plain Sight
H
idden in plain sight: thus would I describe the esoteric and
occult symbolism of the sacred space of Washington, D.C. Sit
down with a map of the city, pencil, ruler, protractor, and pair of com-
passes. You can draw pentagrams and hexagrams, triangles, crosses,
circles, and other multiangled geometrical constructs that will fill the
pages of books and websites with potentially erudite speculation and
amazing detail. Many people have and many more undoubtedly will.
On the other hand, as we walk through the streets of Washington,
D.C., in the course of this book, we will enter an eternal world popu-
lated by archetypes in stone—carvings, monuments, statues, buildings,
and inscriptions. Like hierophants of the Mystery schools of antiquity,
they silently communicate a curriculum designed to inspire, elevate, and
teach eternal Truth. Washington, D.C., like Jerusalem or Mecca, offers
a pilgrimage for those who seek a greater understanding of the miracle
of their homeland and for visitors from other shores come to glimpse the
hope of the first great free nation on earth.
Washington, D.C., is the central shrine of America’s national reli-
gion. This is a nondenominational faith, in line with the Masonic ideal,
capable of being shared by all who recognize God as that which has
created and sustains the universe. Such is the primal deity worshipped
by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, yet it is also the basis of Hinduism,
opposite. Sculpture of Art by Francois M. L. Tonetti-Dozzi in the Main Reading Room of the
Library of Congress. The other figures in the series include Science, Religion, Law, Poetry,
Commerce, Philosophy, and History. Also see pages 21–23. (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith.)
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