by Christopher Hodapp
What is the modern day purpose of Masonic lodges of research, in an age of podcasts, YouTubes, e-books, video streaming on demand, and the onslaught of self-publishing that has diminished the role of editors and fact-checkers?
Next Friday and Saturday, August 19th and 20th, 2025, Kentucky's William O. Ware Lodge of Research with their co-hosts, Lexington Lodge No. 1, The Rubicon Masonic Society, and The Philalethes Society will hold their 13th Annual Festive Board and Conference at historic Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. This year's theme will be "Exploring the Role of Masonic Research Lodges in the 21st Century."
Friday's Festive Board will kick off the night before the Conference at Lexington's beautiful Spindletop Hall, with a Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Call to Tables at 7:00 p.m., Introductions then dinner at 7:15 p.m. The evening will include the seven traditional toasts with songs throughout. The Keynote Speaker will be PGM John L. Cooper III (California) on the topic of Delivering the Message of Freemasonry. Following discussion, the evening will conclude with a Chain of Union and Closing Charge.
The Conference proper will open Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Spindletop Hall in the renowned Oak Room, with a welcome and introductions by W.B. John W. Bizzack, who will frame the program for the day and the issues faced by Research Lodges and Societies.
For more details, read on:
Present
• W Brother John L. Cooper III is a Past Grand Master and Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California. Much of M. W. Brother Cooper’s Masonic career has been spent researching writing on the history and symbology of the Craft. He is a member of California’s Golden Compasses Research Lodge. A career educator, M. W. Brother Cooper was instrumental in establishing the annual California Masonic symposium at UCLA. He is the author of The Questing Mind is a Salient Characteristic of a Freemason, along with many other articles and essays.• WB John W. Bizzack is the Master of William O. Ware Lodge of Research. He is a member and Past Master of Lexington Lodge No. 1 and is a founding member (and current Vice-Chairman) of The Rubicon Masonic Society. He is the author of numerous books on Freemasonry, including the highly acclaimed, Island Freemasonry. He has served the Grand Lodge of Kentucky as a member of the Committee on Masonic Education and on other committees as well. In 2019, he was a member of William O. Ware Lodge of Research’s initial class of Research Fellows. A member of the Society of Blue Friars, he is a Director of the Masonic Restoration Foundation and 2nd Vice-President of The Philalethes Society.
• WB S. Brent Morris will present a brief overview of the History of Research Lodges by , and his 2025 Survey of Lodge of Research and Societies will be distributed and discussed. W.B. Brent who may easily be the most widely recognized Mason in the world. He is a Past Master of Patmos Lodge No. 70 in Maryland. After retiring as from a distinguished career as a cryptographer with the U. S. Department of Defense, W. B. Brent launched a second career as Director of Membership for the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction. From there, he went on to serve as editor of Heredom, “The Plumbline,” and “The Scottish Rite Journal.” The author of numerous books and articles about Freemasonry, W. B. Brent is a member and Fellow of the Philalethes Society, a member and Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the world’s oldest Research Lodge. He has served the Grand Lodge of Maryland as Grand Director of Ceremonies and is a member of the Society of Blue Friars. Among his many other accolades, WB Brent is an Honorary Member of The Rubicon Masonic Society.
Conference Moderators
• WB Rich Hanson is a member and Past Master of Ted Adams Lodge of Research in Kentucky. He currently serves the Grand Lodge of Kentucky as the Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Education. He is a Past Master of Jake Rice Lodge No. 606 and Marion Hale Lodge No. 672, both under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In 2022 W. B. Hanson served as Grand Sword Bearer for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. A professional mental health counselor, Brother Rich has authored several articles and is a frequent speaker at Masonic symposiums and conferences. He is an Honorary Member of The Rubicon Masonic Society.
• MW Bro. David James Cameron was initiated into Masonry in Grand River Lodge No. 151 Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1991. As Junior Warden he brought Masonic Education to every meeting by linking the food served to an educational topic. He became Worshipful Master in 2001. He is a charter member and current Secretary of Templum Lucis Lodge No. 747, the province’s second observant lodge, and is the Secretary of the Masonic Restoration Foundation. M.W. Bro. Cameron served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario from 2019 to 2022. He has been invited to speak at Masonic events in Canada, the United States and Europe, and at the 14th World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges.
The noon meal will be box lunches served by Spindletop.
• RW Brother Andrew Hammer is the author of Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence is Masonic Labour and Observance, voted best Masonic book of the 21st Century by the Southern California Research Lodge in 2021. He is a Past Master of Alba Lodge No. 222 in Washington, D. C., and currently serves as President of the Masonic Restoration Foundation. R. W. Brother Hammer holds Honorary Grand Rank in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. In addition to the many other tributes and honors bestowed upon him, R. W. Brother Hammer is an Honorary Member of William O. Ware Lodge of Research, The Rubicon Masonic Society and Lexington Lodge No. 1.
• RW Brother David L. Daugherty is a member and Past Master of the Ohio Lodge of Research. He is a member and Past Master of Washington Lodge No. 17, in Hamilton, Ohio, and has served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as District Education Officer and as District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No. 2. He holds the title of “Master of the Craft” in Ohio’s Royal Scofield Society. The author of several papers about Freemasonry, RW Brother Daugherty, a third generation Freemason, is a frequent speaker at Masonic events.
DETAILS FOR FESTIVE BOARD
Friday, September 19, 2025
Spindletop Hall - Lexington, KY
Reception: 6:00 pm
Call to Tables: 7:00 pm
Dinner, Toasts, Keynote Address: 7:00-10:00 pm
Attire: Tuxedo or Dark Coat and Tie
Open to Masons of All Degrees
Keynote Speaker: PGM John L. Cooper III, California.
The price per seat is $100 if only attending the Festive Board.
DETAILS FOR MASONIC CONFERENCE
"EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MASONIC RESEARCH LODGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY"
September 20, 2025
Lexington Hilton Downtown Hotel - Lexington, KY
Time: 8:30 am - 5 pm
Attire: Suit and Tie. Open to Masons of All Degrees
The price per seat is $100 if only attending the conference
• WB S. Brent Morris will present a brief overview of the History of Research Lodges by , and his 2025 Survey of Lodge of Research and Societies will be distributed and discussed. W.B. Brent who may easily be the most widely recognized Mason in the world. He is a Past Master of Patmos Lodge No. 70 in Maryland. After retiring as from a distinguished career as a cryptographer with the U. S. Department of Defense, W. B. Brent launched a second career as Director of Membership for the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction. From there, he went on to serve as editor of Heredom, “The Plumbline,” and “The Scottish Rite Journal.” The author of numerous books and articles about Freemasonry, W. B. Brent is a member and Fellow of the Philalethes Society, a member and Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the world’s oldest Research Lodge. He has served the Grand Lodge of Maryland as Grand Director of Ceremonies and is a member of the Society of Blue Friars. Among his many other accolades, WB Brent is an Honorary Member of The Rubicon Masonic Society.
Conference Moderators
• WB Rich Hanson is a member and Past Master of Ted Adams Lodge of Research in Kentucky. He currently serves the Grand Lodge of Kentucky as the Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Education. He is a Past Master of Jake Rice Lodge No. 606 and Marion Hale Lodge No. 672, both under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In 2022 W. B. Hanson served as Grand Sword Bearer for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. A professional mental health counselor, Brother Rich has authored several articles and is a frequent speaker at Masonic symposiums and conferences. He is an Honorary Member of The Rubicon Masonic Society.
• MW Bro. David James Cameron was initiated into Masonry in Grand River Lodge No. 151 Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1991. As Junior Warden he brought Masonic Education to every meeting by linking the food served to an educational topic. He became Worshipful Master in 2001. He is a charter member and current Secretary of Templum Lucis Lodge No. 747, the province’s second observant lodge, and is the Secretary of the Masonic Restoration Foundation. M.W. Bro. Cameron served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario from 2019 to 2022. He has been invited to speak at Masonic events in Canada, the United States and Europe, and at the 14th World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges.
The noon meal will be box lunches served by Spindletop.
• RW Brother Andrew Hammer is the author of Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence is Masonic Labour and Observance, voted best Masonic book of the 21st Century by the Southern California Research Lodge in 2021. He is a Past Master of Alba Lodge No. 222 in Washington, D. C., and currently serves as President of the Masonic Restoration Foundation. R. W. Brother Hammer holds Honorary Grand Rank in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. In addition to the many other tributes and honors bestowed upon him, R. W. Brother Hammer is an Honorary Member of William O. Ware Lodge of Research, The Rubicon Masonic Society and Lexington Lodge No. 1.
• RW Brother David L. Daugherty is a member and Past Master of the Ohio Lodge of Research. He is a member and Past Master of Washington Lodge No. 17, in Hamilton, Ohio, and has served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as District Education Officer and as District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No. 2. He holds the title of “Master of the Craft” in Ohio’s Royal Scofield Society. The author of several papers about Freemasonry, RW Brother Daugherty, a third generation Freemason, is a frequent speaker at Masonic events.
DETAILS FOR FESTIVE BOARD
Friday, September 19, 2025
Spindletop Hall - Lexington, KY
Reception: 6:00 pm
Call to Tables: 7:00 pm
Dinner, Toasts, Keynote Address: 7:00-10:00 pm
Attire: Tuxedo or Dark Coat and Tie
Open to Masons of All Degrees
Keynote Speaker: PGM John L. Cooper III, California.
The price per seat is $100 if only attending the Festive Board.
DETAILS FOR MASONIC CONFERENCE
"EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MASONIC RESEARCH LODGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY"
September 20, 2025
Lexington Hilton Downtown Hotel - Lexington, KY
Time: 8:30 am - 5 pm
Attire: Suit and Tie. Open to Masons of All Degrees
The price per seat is $100 if only attending the conference
A block of hotel rooms at Lexington's Downtown Hilton are available for Conference attendees.
To register for the Conference and reserve a hotel room, visit the 13th Annual Festive Board and Conference website.
Continue reading...