North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/21179
November/December 2010 WASHINGTON, from page 8 • three life-size figures of Washington based
on cutting-edge forensic research, showing him at different stages of his life: as a young surveyor, as commander in chief, and as our first president; • Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of Wash-
ington, ca. 1798; • the family Bible from Washington’s per-
sonal library; and • surveying equipment and maps used by
Washington. Mrs. Washington is represented by original
jewelry, pieces of her china, silver, glassware, and reproductions of her gold wedding dress and purple satin slippers. Discover the Real George Washington is pre-
sented in 11 sections, ranging from Washington’s youth to his final days. Engaging videos and a large 3D model of Mount Vernon Estate & Gar- dens enhance the visitor experience, and com- puter touch screens encourage interactivity. Te exhibition features a full-size, functional replica of Washington’s pew at Pohick Church and de- tailed scale models of Fort Necessity, a gristmill, and an innovative 16-sided treading barn. Tere is a section dealing with Freemasonry
which includes period officers’ jewels, a decanter and firing cannon (shot glass), and a Masonic apron. An extensive selection of educational pro-
grams is offered throughout the exhibition run (details at ncmuseumofhistory.org), and children can enjoy hands-on activities in the museum lobby. A dedicated Web site (DiscoverGeorge- Washington.org) provides additional learning opportunities. In addition, the NC Museum of History has
produced an exhibition section about Washing- ton’s ties to the state. Tis portion focuses on Washington’s experiences as a surveyor at the Great Dismal Swamp in 1763 and his 1791 presidential tour through North Carolina. “We wanted to share with visitors a little-
known story about Washington and his owner- ship of a unique piece of North Carolina land,” notes Dr. Jeanne Marie Warzeski, curator of Co-
lonial and Antebellum History at the NC Muse- um of History. “His venture in the Great Dismal Swamp offers insight into Washington’s business acumen, his practical skills as a surveyor, and his understanding of logistics and strategy.” Wash- ington’s 1791 tour through the South as president brought him again to North Carolina. He slept in many places, some of which are still standing. Te museum has also produced a small lobby exhibit about Washington’s lifelong friendship with the Marquis de Lafayette, a French noble- man who came to the United States to support the cause of American independence. Lafayette later visited North Carolina during a much-cele- brated tour of the United States. Visitors can view artifacts concerning Lafayette in the American Revolution, as well as memorabilia related to his 1825 visits to Fayetteville and Raleigh. Admission is free for ages 18 and under. Te
fee is ten dollars for ages 19 and up; eight dol- lars for senior citizens, active military personnel, students with an ID, and adult groups of ten or more. More special rates and ticket information are available at ncmuseumofhistory.org or (919) 807-7900. Tickets will be sold in the Museum Shop. Te N.C. Museum of History’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. It is located at 5 E. Edenton Street in Raleigh. Reservations are required for groups of 10
or more. To schedule tours for groups of 10 or more, call the Capital Area Visitor Center at 919-807-7950 or toll-free at (866) 724-8687. Visitors will want to check out the Exhibition
Shoppe, featuring items related to Washington and the colonial period. Choose from a selection of books, gifts, jewelry and children’s toys. Discover the Real George Washington was
organized by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Asso- ciation and funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. Local sponsorship is provided by a number
of local businesses and supporters including the Grand Lodge.
The North Carolina Mason
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Clockwise from top: learning about Washington’s farm, the toasting equipment from his lodge, a quiz on Washington’s accomplishments.
Washington figures based on forensic research RALEIGH — Tree life-size figures of
Washington, developed through a cutting-edge forensic investigation, are among the highlights in Discover the Real George Washington: New Views From Mount Vernon. Te figures are based on a two-year forensic study in which computer scientists, art historians, 18th
century
garment experts, and a forensic scientist used technology and research from primary sources to measure and analyze portraits, sculpture, and Washington’s dentures and clothing. Te project employed proprietary age-pro- gression and age-regression techniques to create
A coin finds its way home GREENSBORO — Keith Eddins, of Hanks 128, was browsing
a flea market here back in 1998 when he stumbled across a Masonic coin. He bought it, and tossed it in a drawer when he got home. About a year ago, he picked it up again and started thinking more and more about it. It was clealry a Masonic token and carried the name of Mason
H. C. Colerider and the dates of his 1878 degrees and the name and number of his lodge. With some Internet research, Keith managed to find the original
lodge and finally track down Colerider’s great great granddaughter, Susan Leach Snyder thanks to her geneology page on the Internet. She now lives in Ohio. Snyder guesses at the coin’s path to Greensboro. Her great great
New costumes at Union
MIDLAND — A September 30 triple Master Mason Degree saw the debut of new degree costumes at Union 618. Union mem- ber Bobby Burgess designed and made the costumes for the lodge. The lodge congratulated the man of talent and generosity on a “great job.” — R. Darrell Long
and his wife worked the business from their garage — a part-time endeavor which slowly got bigger. “About three years ago, we got to the point we were teetering on
the fence of this being too big and thinking about going full time. Ten, about a year-and-a-half ago, my employer made that decision for me.” Kevin was laid off. “I’ve been busy as a lark since then.” Kubacki, who is just finishing his year as master of Albemarle
703, is learning more about Masonry than he ever expected. One trick is knowing all the variations from one jurisdiction to another Kevin says. For instance, standard apron size across the country is 13-by-15 inches, except Texas where (not surprisingly) they are 16-by-16 inches. In the York Rite, where aprons are different in each degree, it is possible to gain versatility and save money by making a reversible apron suitable for use on different occasions. Trim colors and decorations on aprons change from one jurisdic- tion to another. He currently supplies officer aprons in 26 states. Dean and Associates doesn’t keep a stock of all the different
aprons; there are simply too many to make that a viable operating plan. Kevin keeps stocks of all the different apron components in his garage. Tere is a range of primary materials from bleached white cowhide to vinyl to plain white cotton. Tere is trim of satin and other materials in many colors. Linings and straps are avail- able to suit the need of each instance. Kevin says, “I can do about anything anybody wants.” Kevin personally cuts and assembles each order, laying up the
components of each apron. He then drives a few miles out into the country to take them to Cathleen Vanhoy. At Vanhoy’s home, Kevin pets her young, grinning dog on
the breezeway as he enters the kitchen. Miss Cathleen is making pickles, and the smell of it permeates the house as she talks about her history with the company. Miss Cathleen was a supervisor at a local textile plant when
Nat Dean, shortly after founding the business, came in search of someone to sew aprons for them. One of the suggestions she made was herself. She became the company’s first seamstress and has been sewing aprons for Dean and Associates for the 36 years since. Leaving the bits of cloth and leather with her to become usable
aprons, Kevin heads to another corner of Stanly County. His next stop is to check on an embroidery job being done by a contractor. Design mapping and color choices must be checked for suitabil- ity. A case of baseball caps is approved for making into Masonic emblem carriers. On his way out the door, the UPS man calls Kevin by name —
that’s how many packages Kevin handles — and offers a delivery. On these lengthy drives, Kubacki talks about the history of the business. Te old company sold only aprons, collars, and candidate suits.
Kevin still uses the same patterns that Nat Dean had made. But, times and markets change. Over the nearly 40 years since the company launched, people
are bigger. Today’s Dean and Associates is making candidate suit patterns in previously only occasionally customized 2X and 3X sizes. Te company has also moved on to an expanded product
grandfather moved to Fayetteville, NC around the turn of the century and died in 1933. His youngest daughter, Gertrude, came to possess the coin. She and her husband lived in Greensboro, NC. She died in 1961. Te coin surfaced in the fleamarket there some 35-plus years later. Last May, Eddins met Snyder at a local restaurant and returned the coin to the protection of Henry Clay Colerider’s family. If you have a Masonic heirloom in your family and want to find it
a safe home, the Grand Lodge is glad to offer such protection and a home in the growing museum area of our office building.
APRONS, from page 8
the depictions of Washington at three stages of his life: at age 19 as a young surveyor, at age 45 as commander in chief, and at age 57 as the first president taking the oath of office. Tese life- like wax figures, with real human hair that was implanted one strand at a time, are embedded in realistic settings that re-create scenes in the woodsy Ohio Valley territory, in wintry Valley Forge, and on the balcony of Federal Hall. The fascinating process of creating the
figures is shown in a video by The History Channel, which also produced five other vid- eos in the exhibition.
The Colerider coin, above, was recently returned, left.
line as well as expanded products. Kubacki says, “I’ve left Dean & Associates as Dean & Associ- ates out of respect for Nat Dean. People know and respect the brand. Te web page is set up as BlueLodgeAprons.com.” Tat move onto the Internet has signalled reaching to new markets. Dean and Associates now sells lapel pins, officers jewels, and
fraternal paraphernalia. Tey’ve added custom embroidered ties. At Annual Communication this year, they even had a commem- orative coin for delegates to get to remember their attendance. Since officer aprons are costly and carry memories for lodges, the company now offers apron refurbishing. Kevin was not talking about expanding his facility, but the
growth is easy to see. After all, when he started, this was only a part time venture to fill a little time. If you need help finding something for your lodge, you can ask
Kevin directly by going to