Originally printed in a "100th Anniversary" Special Edition flyer by The Record Herald, Friday, May 10, 1991.

Editor´s note: This article was written by William G. Adams Jr., William H. Arthur and Charles E. Smallwood.

Our founding brethren of Acacia Lodge No. 586 recognized a local need to satisfy their desire for social fellowship and to create a more fraternal atmosphere among the 35 or so Masons residing in Waynesboro.

These represented about 12 different Lodges and at least seven Masonic jurisdictions. The fact that the Lodges were so widely separated throughout the surrounding area, and the mode of transportation restricted as it was in those times, made concourse with one another impracticable.

At an informal meeting in early January 1891, it was thought that the desired objective could be best achieved by organizing a movement to establish a Masonic Lodge in Waynesboro.

On Jan. 28, 1891, it was decided the location for the new lodge would be the third floor of the “Odd Fellows´ Hall” on East Main Street, Waynesboro. In a subsequent meeting held on Feb. 4, 1891, the name “Acacia” was selected for the new lodge.

The officers-elect were Samuel R. Frantz, warrant master, Albert J. Harbaugh, senior warrant; and Samuel C. Plank, junior warrant.

Quoting from the minutes of this meeting: “The officers-elect then thanked the brethren for the distinction that had been conferred upon them and promised that they would do everything in their power to make “Acacia one of the best lodges in the state.”

At a meeting on May 18, 1891, Ferdinand Forthman was elected treasurer, and Jacob H. Stoner, secretary. The Worshipal Master also announced the following appointments:

Lewis Cantner, chaplain; George G. Snively, senior deacon; David C. Shank, junior deacon; Jeremiah F. Zullinger, senior master of ceremonies; Charles C. Burgesser, junior master of ceremonies; J. Calvin Criswell, pursuivant; and W. Emmert Angle, tiler.

Now, after much preliminary work, the new lodge was ready to be constituted. Its birthday was fixed for Friday, May 22, 1891.

The day eventually arrived, as all days are sure to, and a fine day it was.

Friday last was a memorable day in the history of local Masonry. It witnessed the formal institution of Acacia Lodge No. 586, the first local organization of Free Masons in the history of the town.

Bright and early the flower wagons, the dish and provision carriers and furniture haulers began to fly. East Main was a constant stream of committee-men and committee-women. By noon the auditorium of the Academy was trimmed, the tables all set and everything in readiness to turn on the crowd.

It presented a beautiful and impressive scene and everywhere shone and glittered evidence of good taste and cunning art of Waynesboro’s fair women. The curtain on the stage and its environs were handsomely trimmed and festooned. In the centre of the curtain was the word “Welcome,” wrought in bold relief with orange blossoms and smilax for background.

Below this was the word Acacia in pink azaleas, and underneath this was the number of the Lodge 586 set in field daisies. Festoons of colored paper were trained all along the sides of the hall and fell in graceful curves from top of stage and gallery and from chandelier.

The stoves — a nuisance that had to be endured — were relieved of their hideousness by tasteful and elaborate drapery of American flags. Even the stove pipes were made do a pleasing duty by standing as supports for gracefully trailed festoons of colored paper.

Both sides of the Hall were decorated with large hand-painted banners representing the insignia of the order.

The centre piece of all this was the tables with their wealth of flowers, tastefully arranged wares, bowers of fruit and every nameable viand in rich super-abundance. There were eight large tables in all and were so arranged to form a triangle, the chief emblem of the order.

The gorgeous floral decorations had their culmination in a magnificent floral piece occupying the centre of the middle table, made and presented by that prince of designers, Mr. Jack Litterhouse. It was a maltese cross set with Marechal Neil roses, mixed with white carnations, sweet alyssum and smilax.

The base was made of field daisies, roses, and geraniums. It was a superb affair and the admiration of all.

The ceremonies of installation began in Odd Fellows Room promptly at one P.M. We were not permitted to draw the veil and disclose the details of this part of the day’s exercises. Suffice it to say that the hour and a half was pleasantly spent, and when the gavel fell for the last time, Acacia Lodge of Waynesboro was an established and full-fledged fact.

Immediately the assemblage formed into a procession and moved to the Academy. Prof. J.L. McCaskey was the marshal and his assistants were Messrs. A.O. Frick and J.H. Stoner.

When all were within and at their proper stalls around the tables, Prof. McCaskey in a few eloquent words welcomed the visitors to Waynesboro.

The address was responded to by Hon. J. Simpson Africa and others; after which the discussion of the great spread was proceeded with. Here the veil must again be drawn. The gods even are not permitted to know all that transpired in the two hours spent in carnage, toasts, lemonade bumpers and cigars.

The great feast, elaborate and dainty in itself, gathered new charm and delicacy from the fair hands of lady friends by whom it was served.

All in all it was a gala occasion for the disciples of John of Malta, and one long to be remembered.