Potunk Lodge #
1071Potunk Lodge History
1922;
Twenty
three merchants, tradesmen and civic leaders took to the Flanders
Road twice monthly to attend Masonic Lodge in Riverhead.
Traveling during the winter months was arduous. The cold
weather and rutted roads re-inspired those dedicated Westhampton Masons
to Petition the Grand Lodge of NY to Charter a new Lodge.
1925;
The Grand Lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons of New York issued a Warrant to
those petitioning, to form “Potunk” Masonic Lodge to be numbered as
the One Thousand and seventy first Lodge in the Jurisdiction of NY.
The area of influence the new Lodge would have was from the West at
“The Mastics” to the East as “The Ponquogue Road” in Good Ground
(later to be known as Hampton Bays) and to the North adjoining the
borders of Riverhead Lodge. 1923 through 1925 was a busy time
for the Lodge. The Lodges furnishings were made and some purchased
from Lodges in the “City” that had duplicates.
1926;
The presentation of the Charter, dated May 6th, by the
Grand Master on 5 June, was long remembered by the over 400 brothers
who were royally entertained at the famous Banquet Hall at the
Howell House, which cost nearly $1000. The
Jewels worn by each officer of the Lodge and the staves they carried
during ceremonies were forged out of old lawnmower parts at brother
Nugent’s Blacksmith’s shop and given to the Lodge by Life Member
Howard Havens. The Masonic Outlook mentioned in 1932: "Potunk Lodge
has the rare distinction of being the only lodge having jewels made
from lawn mower bushings and odd lot pieces of brass that have been
silver plated by the Lodge". The pillars of
Solomon arrived by train from the City, the Secretary and Treasurers
desks were donated by a local Law Firm, other landmarks of the Lodge
were in place and ready for “Charter Day”.
Potunk
Lodge prospered, despite the crash of the Stock Market or the
hurricane of “38”. The War in Europe and the Japanese bombing of
Pearl Harbor called many of our members to arms.
For the first time a Past Master of Potunk Lodge was asked to
serve a second term as Master of the Lodge, with the exception of
the Charter Master W:. Bishop. Brother Paine who
operated the auto sales and repair shop in Quogue. (Now owned by
Brother Bob Otis’s family) agreed to a second term.
The War was
over, and the returning Service Men were eager to join “The Masons.”
They had come to know Freemasonry on the battlefields of Europe and
the Pacific. The Masons were there, helping to write letters
distribute socks, blankets, tooth brushes, and other necessities
that had grown scarce. The Masons visited those in field hospitals
and welcomed them at USO activities.
The
membership roles in Westhampton grew to almost 300 members, and
across the country, to just over 4 million Masons. Potunk Lane was
closed annually for the Masons Barbeque. The Clyde Beaty, Cole
Brothers Circus came to town and set up in “Bailys' Field” followed
by a full scale Rodeo both sponsored by Potunk Lodges’ building
fund.
A small group of members started on a path to locate a new home
for the Lodge. The Old Mechanics Hall had some structure and
parking problems and there was a buyer interested.
1966;
Property is located on West Montauk Highway, in Westhampton. Plans were drawn; surveys completed, but still, no permits to build. It would take another year before Permits are granted. The permits were finally granted due to the efforts of our 1968 Master of the Lodge Arthur Rumph.
1968;
The Gold
painted shovel turned the first shovel of soil. Construction
could begin.
1969;
The first Thursday in January was the first Official meeting in the new Lodge rooms. The weekend before, the Grand Master of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of New York dedicated the Potunk Lodge. More than 250 Masons and friends turned out to witness the event. The new location would host Barbeques, Flea Markets and many other fundraising events. The largest of those events being, “The Annual Thomas Sinnickson Memorial Golf Outing.”
Late 1980s;
Potunk
Lodge , with the approval of the Most Worshipful Gary A.
Henningsen and Most Worshipful Earl Hino Published the first
collection of Masonic Clip-art ever published. There were over
300 Masonic clips listed and pictured in the catalogue which
accompanied the CD or floppy. The clip art earned Potunk
Lodge many kudos. The first publication of 2 volumes was donated
by a member.
Even the Masonic Lodge quartered in China Town, in Old San
Francisco had a copy.
Masonic Lodges were encouraged to use computers when the
clip art entered the Masonic Mainstream. The Brother that
collected the clips and published both volumes, did so anonymously.
-
2008: Potunk Lodge goes Hi-Tech. In a cooperative
effort with many brothers involved Potunk lodge launches the
potunklodge.org web site. This is an ever developing project and we
have high hopes that this site will become a labor of love. We are
also working to bring to the site the latest developments and as
much pertinent information as possible. Please check this site often
as the content will change often.
Computers were just entering the world of the Masonic
fraternity, and the clip art drew interest across the
land. Potunk Lodge donated the collections to many Jurisdictions
and Lodges without charge. With requests for
copy's from Lodge's all over the country the soon to be Lodge
Secretary gathered a few brothers together to duplicate disks
and pack mailing envelopes.
Thanks to Bro. Pfeiffer for this information.
