There are 36 articals in the set. We currently have 9 online and will be adding more in the near future. Please hit the History button on the top right of your screen (or) History's blog at the bottom of the first articale to see more.
The history of Freemasonry in Albany is merely an extension of the role Masters Lodge No. 5 (formerly No. 2) played in the social and fraternal life of the city. The first organization of Freemasons to exist in Albany after its settlement, was Lodge No. 74 (Registry of Ireland), which was composed of officers of the Second Battalion Royal. It held a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland dated October 26, 1737.

There is every evidence that these brothers were scholars as well as gentlemen, for they brought with them and maintained a large and valuable library of rare books which they left behind when they were ordered to leave. Many of these volumes were later placed in the library of the Albany Female Academy (which was to become the Albany Academy for Girls).

In April, 1759, the battalion, having been transferred to another post, left the city. Several Albany men had been admitted to the Lodge during the battalion’s stay, and the officers of the Lodge left authority for the resident members to continue regular lodge meetings. On February 21, 1765, the Provincial Grand Master, George Harrison, granted them a warrant under the name Union Lodge (later, Mount Vernon).

Union Lodge purchased a plot of ground from the city on the northwest corner of Lodge Street and Maiden Lane. Masters Lodge, together with the Ineffable and Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection (which was instituted on December 20, 1767, through the influence of Bro. Samuel Stringer, a brother who was integral to the early success of Masters Lodge), purchased the interest of Union Lodge in this property. The city then donated an adjoining piece of ground and a Lodge House was erected.

The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremony on May 12, 1768. This became the first meeting house in America owned by a Masonic Lodge. The new building was occupied by the two bodies for some years but the record fails to reveal when it was vacated. Later, the land was leased to St. Peter's Episcopal Church during which the rectory of the church occupied the site.

So for many years, lodge meetings had to be held in a building on the southwest corner of Broadway and Steuben Street. In 1861, the location of the meetings was moved to 41 and 43 North Pearl Street, on the site of the old Whitney and Company building. Still later, meetings were held in the granite building at 91 State Street which was owned by the Albany Savings Bank. This site had two lodge rooms, a library, an armory for the uniformed bodies, and waiting and reception rooms. This building was used from 1875 until 1895.

The property on which the present Masonic Temple stands was presented to the Masonic Hall Association by Masters Lodge in 1895. James Ten Eyck, a former Master of Masters Lodge and a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, was the president of the Association at this time. Brother Ten Eyck had the unique honor of being able to gaze at the bronze bust of himself which was erected over the Maiden Lane entrance, while he was still alive. The Ten Eyck room in our present Temple is named after this outstanding Masters Lodge member.