Additional Details

• Event Type: Virtual Meeting
• Hosted By: Masonic Education Committee
• Invited: Grand Lodge Officers, Masons, Public, Spouses and Partners, By Invitation or Registration
• Dress: Casual
• Meal Cost: $No Charge
• Itinerary Details:
  George Washington may be the most recognizable Freemason in history. His image appears in lodge rooms around the world, his participation in cornerstone ceremonies is well documented, and his Masonic membership remains a defining part of his legacy.
  
  Yet during his lifetime, Washington rarely spoke publicly about being a Mason. Why?
  
  Join the Grand Lodge of California for the 2026 Annual Masonic Symposium as we examine the fascinating relationship between America’s first president, Freemasonry, and the role of public leadership. Drawing from decades of historical scholarship, prominent historian Steven C. Bullock, author of Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730–1840, explores why Washington chose to exercise remarkable restraint when it came to his Masonic identity—and what that decision reveals about both the man and the fraternity.
  
  Rather than seeking political advantage through his Masonic membership, Washington carefully maintained a distinction between his public office and his fraternal life. His example offers timely lessons about leadership, integrity, and the appropriate role of Freemasonry in public society.
  
  Following Bullock’s presentation, attendees will enjoy a live panel discussion featuring distinguished California Masonic leaders John Cooper III, Past Grand Master of California; Scott Morrison, Jr., Inspector of the 404th Masonic District and Masonic educator; and moderator Jhairo Echevarria, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education. Together, they examine Washington’s example in light of later notables such as DeWitt Clinton, the Morgan Affair, the rise of the anti-Masonic movement, and the enduring lessons these events hold for Freemasonry today. Audience members will also have the opportunity to participate through a live question-and-answer session.
  
  Whether you are a student of American history, a lover of Masonic scholarship, or simply curious about the life of our fraternity’s most famous member, this year’s symposium offers an engaging exploration of leadership, history, and the values that continue to shape Freemasonry in California and beyond.
  
  Use link at top of page to RSVP
  
  Organizer Contact Info
  Jhairo Echevarria
  jhairo@fivpoints.com
  (818) 731-1136