Those familiar with the local Ohio section of book stores are also familiar with the illustrated history books published by Arcadia Publishing. Cincinnati’s Freemasons was published by Arcadia in early October and is their first foray into Masonic history. Written by Donald I. Crews, Past Master, Nova Caesarea Harmony Lodge No. 2, it introduces the history of the fraternity in the southwest corner of Ohio.
The Beacon recently spoke with Crews about the book.
Beacon: Tell us about the book.
Crews: Cincinnati’s Freemasons is being published by Arcadia Publishing which is the leading local history publisher in the United States with more than 8,500 titles in print. The book contains over 200 images covering the Craft in Cincinnati for more than 220 years.
Beacon: What was your inspiration to write this book?
Crews: I received my Masonic degrees in New Jersey in 1987 and then moved to Cincinnati in 1988. The week that I moved to town, I visited Nova Caesarea Harmony Lodge No. 2. The lodge’s antiquity (197 years at that point), New Jersey origin and its home in the fascinating Cincinnati Masonic Temple drew me in immediately. The seeds of this book were planted at that time.
Beacon: 200 images? Where did all of the pictures come from?
Crews: I started with images from my lodge. Photos of the three temples it owned in downtown Cincinnati were the first pictures that I had. The Valley of Cincinnati, AASR, generously provided access to its archives. They have many of the architect’s images of construction of the Cincinnati Masonic Center. I owe special thanks to PGM Michael Himes for his support getting access to these items. WBro. Chad Simpson at the Grand Lodge helped me with many pictures related to Past Grand Masters from Cincinnati. Several brothers and lodges were very helpful providing items. I also got help from many non-Masonic resources including the Archives and Rare Book Department at the University of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Historical Society, the Cincinnati Police Museum, the Saylor Park Historical Society, Marietta College and even the Missouri Historical Society.
Beacon: What is the most interesting thing you learned?
Crews: I am fascinated by the amazing accomplishments of William B. Melish. As a Past Commander of Trinity Commandery No. 44, I was aware of Melish’s founding of that Commandery and the fact that he had been Ohio’s Grand Master in 1896. Nationally, he served as Imperial Potentate of the Shrine 1892 and 1894 and as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U.S. from 1910 to 1913. He was president of a manufacturing company, president of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and that only scratches the surface.
Beacon: Do you have a favorite image in the book?
Crews: It’s very hard to pick just one. Maybe the groundbreaking of the Cincinnati Masonic Temple in December of 1925. The image shows a crowd watching Charles Phelps Taft, Honorary Chairman of the building committee, excavating the first shovel full of dirt on the site. The crowd includes architect Harry Hake and building committee chairman Charles Hake.
Beacon: What was the hardest thing about this project?
Crews: Writing a book that would be of interest to fellow Freemasons as well as be accessible to the general public. The first chapter of the book is an attempt to bridge that gap. It is an introduction to Freemasonry, illustrated with Cincinnati images.
Beacon: Thank you so much for your time. We hope that the book is a huge success.
This book is available on Amazon.com
