Welcome to Jackson Lodge № 1, F. & A. M.

Tallahassee, Florida

June 3, 1825 – U.D. —  December 19, 1825 – Chartered

The good Brothers of Jackson Lodge № 1 meet on the first and third Monday of each month.

First Monday
Dinner is served at 6:30 PM.
Meetings begin at 7:30 PM.

Third Monday
Meetings begin at 7:30 PM

W∴ Harry J. Smith, Jr.

Explore Jackson Lodge № 1 in 3D

Walk around and enjoy. Read the tags to find out more. You can see the view from the Worshipful Masters or the Warden’s stations.

Who are Masons?

Masons are spiritual and moral men who choose to associate with a group of like-minded individuals for mutual benefit. What they find in Freemasonry is a disciplined and systematic course of self-improvement based on the Golden Rule: always do to others what you would like them to do to you.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of race, color, or creed.

Masons are spiritual and moral people, but there’s no room for discussion of sectorial religion or partisan politics in freemasonry. Members are free to follow their own path, as long as it fits with the ethical principles of integrity and virtue symbolized by the square and compasses—the icon most commonly associated with Masonry.

Masonry stresses the principles of kindness and consideration at home, honesty in business, courtesy towards others, dependability in one’s work, compassion for the less fortunate, and being a good citizen of the world. Masonry recognizes that each man has obligations to his family, his work, his religious beliefs, his community, and himself – these must take priority and Masonry does not interfere with his ability to meet these obligations.

Masons participate in three progressive degrees, each one teaching an important lesson through the use of symbols. The degrees help a Mason think about the big questions: Where did I come from? What am I doing here? And what comes next?

A Lodge is not a building…it’s the men that form it.

The foundation of the Masonic family is the Masonic lodge. It is here that Masonry teaches its lessons: kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, concern for the unfortunate, and respect for one another. Most lodges are clearly signed and located on main streets in communities small and large across the globe.

Masonry is not a secret society…we’re happy to share what we know.

Any information about Masons can be found at a well-stocked bookstore or local library. Masonic buildings are clearly marked and listed in the phonebook and members often identify themselves by wearing Masonic jewelry.

The so-called Masonic “Secrets” are confined to modes of recognition by which a visitor can prove himself to be a Mason and thereby become eligible to enter a Lodge in which he was otherwise not known.

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What does “F” mean?

The letter “F” means Free, which originated in England during the Middle Ages.

Ancient craftsmen were very skilled, and their craft was considered indispensable to the welfare of both the Church and State.  For this reason, they were not placed under the same restrictions as were other workers – they were “free” to do their work, travel, and live their lives in a manner befitting their importance.  In England during the Middle Ages, this freedom was rare.  Our legendary history carries this freedom from the “Operative Mason” back to the year 946, in York, England.

What does “A. M.” Mean?

The letters “A. M.” mean Accepted Mason, which originated in England during the Middle Ages.

During the latter years of the Middle Ages, there were a few educated men outside the monasteries of the world.  Naturally, men wanted to become Freemasons to obtain the advantages the craft had to offer.  Not all wanted to build buildings, however; they just wanted to belong to the organization. These were “Accepted” Masons rather than “operative” Masons.  As time went on, there became many more “Accepted” members as building trades became widely known.