Fulton Facts
- In 1904, smoking was banned in the Lodge but the secretary still purchased cigars for the lodge.
- In 1918, the Lodge purchased $50.00 in “Service Cards” for the brethren in the Military and Naval Services. A year later, the Lodge subscribed to $300 in “Victory Bonds” for WWI.
- In 1920, the Lodge raised $400 by individual brothers for the Jewish War Relief.
- In 1933, flood and drought destroyed the crops at the Masonic Home for Children in Macon. Since this was their main source of food, the Lodge staged a food drive for the home. They later donated furniture and musical instruments to the children.
- Fulton Lodge contributed to the war effort during World War II by sending its brethren and money. At least 33 active members of Fulton Lodge were called to duty during the war and saw service in Europe and the Pacific. Those members were sent paid up dues cards complements of the lodge.
- Fulton Lodge participated with other Masonic Lodges to operate a center for servicemen at the Atlanta Masonic Temple that provided food, beds, showers, and entertainment of over 20,000 servicemen in its first year of operation. Fulton Lodge donated to the Red Cross War Relief efforts, and bought War Bonds.
- The USS Atlanta, a U.S. Navy cruiser, was lost after fighting bravely in the Battle for Guadalcanal on November 13th, 1942, and was awarded a Presidential Citation. When a bond drive was announced to replace to build a new cruiser, the fourth USS Atlanta, Fulton Lodge bought the first bonds in the drive to raise money to pay for the ship.
- Moses Moskowitz went into the service shortly after serving as Master of Fulton Lodge in 1942, and was killed in the Battle of the Bulge on December 18, 1944, In memory of W.B. Moskowitz and in honor of all who served in the war, Fulton Lodge undertook a campaign to sell enough war bonds to buy a B-29 bomber. The B-29 was the largest and most sophisticated bomber to see service in World War II. B-29’s were built at the Bell Bomber Plant in Marietta. Between March and June of 1945, Fulton Lodge sold war bonds totaling $918,000, about $200,000 more than need to buy the bomber.
- In 1949 the lodge donated tools and a workshop to the Inman Parks School for Juvenile Delinquents and Mental Defects.
- Jack Weinkle, Past Master in 1936 & 37, chaired the Charity committee and stared the program to donate lunches for the Crew Street School children. In 1950, the Lodge started to raise money for lunches for public school. By 1951, 1300 meals served at Crew St. School. The Lodge also gave Mayor William B. Hartsfield donated machinery for the shop for children to use at Grady Hospital.
- The Child Welfare Fund was established in 1950 to help the needy children in Atlanta. For many years it provided vouchers to the City of Atlanta School Board so that the children could buy shoes and socks and later money to pay for milk and lunches at school. By 1962, over 1,100 pairs of shoes were donated.
- In 1950 the Lodge presented the Grand Master with a check to be used to “Purchase a Loving Cup to be presented at the end of each Grand Lodge year to the lodge in the state which exemplifies principals and practice and tenants of Masonry.” The “Masters Cup” is still in use today and Fulton Lodge won the Grand Master’s Cup in 1951, 1952, 1957 and 1975. Seymour Kessler, Barney Kaye, Norman Diamond and Sheldon Little were masters in those years. Only one other lodge in the state has won the cup four times.
- In October, 1955, the members of Fulton Lodge pledges $150,000 for the new Masonic Temple Building. Fulton Lodge members made more pledges and paid more money than any other lodge in the city.
- Tuxedos were the “New Uniform” for degree nights starting in 1957.
- In 1977, the Lodge members raised over $3,000 to a major piece of medical equipment to Scottish Rite Children’s hospital in memory of PM Mendle Boorstin and in honor of his wife, Fannie who was known as “Mrs. Fulton Lodge.”
- Fulton Lodge won the Outstanding District 5 Lodge in 1987.
- In 1980, for the first time, all line officers received their White Cards.
- In 1980, Mike Kessler flew WM Herb Wollner and six other brothers to Savannah to confer the Fellow Craft degree in Zerubabel Lodge #15.
- In 1988, 75 brothers and their wives and guests boarded two buses to have dinner at the Smith House in Dahlonega.
- In 1989, a bus full of brethren left the Atlanta Masonic Building to visit the Rock Quarry Celebration in Moganton, GA.
- In 1995, Fulton Lodge was named 5th District Lodge of the year.
- Fulton Lodge adopted a section of Peachtree Street in front of the Atlanta Masonic Temple building and has an annual work day to clean the street.
- Fulton Lodge volunteers for the Annual 4th of July Marathon and hands out water to passing runners.
- For many years, members of the Lodge traveled to Macon for “Work Day” at the Masonic Home for Children. The children of the Masonic Home were also our guests at our annual picnic for many years.
- In addition to aiding needy lodges and distressed brothers and their widows, other donations went to Scottish Rite Crippled Children’s Home, Egleston Hospital for Children, the “Old Women’s Home”, St. Johns Haven, The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, The Jewish Federation, Rainbow Girls, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Atlanta Masonic Library and Museum, the Salvation Army, the Empty Stocking Fund, the Georgia Industrial Home for Children, the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs, the Jewish Home, Grand Lodge Higher Education Fund, DeMolay and Masonic Home for the Aged.
- In honor of its 150th Anniversary, Fulton Lodge made donations to The Thomas S. Perry Legion Fund of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in memory of Sylvan Lidsky, PM, The Atlanta Masonic Library and Museum in memory and honor of the Boorstin family, The Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia in memory of Bill Sachs, The Scottish Rite Preservation Trust in honor of Sheldon Little, PM. and The George Washington National Masonic Memorial to buy a tree in the Georgia Grove in honor of Fulton Lodge’s 150th year.
- 2007 Fulton Lodge won the District 5 Lodge of the year.
Fulton Lodge No. 216
Atlanta Masonic Center
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Masonic Center
Atlanta, GA
