|
| 
The inscription reads, 'In Memoriam, Theodore Roosevelt
Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat', 1920. Cuban Masons'. It means "Let whoever
earns the palm bear it" and is known as "Nelsons Motto"
(The motto of Lord Nelson and the British Royal Naval School.)
This is a lousy close-up of TR's application to Matinecock
Lodge showing his signature. It was behind glass which caused
reflections. I plan to take a better photo. At the time he
completed his petition for membership, Roosevelt was Governor of
New York and Vice-President-elect, having won the election with
Brother William McKinley a few weeks earlier.He listed his age as
42, place of birth, New York City, place of business, Albany, and
his occupation, Governor.
At the cornerstone laying ceremonies for the Masonic Temple at
13th Street and New York Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C. on
June 18, 1907, Bro. Theodore Roosevelt delivered an address in
full masonic regalia. On January 2, 1924, at the request of Mrs.
Theodore Roosevelt, R:. W:. Brother Henry L. Carr presented the
trowel used at that ceremony to Matinecock Lodge. Brother Carr
was then appointed a 'committee of one' to have the trowel
properly engraved. The Roosevelt trowel was loaned to Bro. Rev.
George Talmage for use in the cornerstone ceremony for the
remodeled Christ Church in 1925.
The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Window
Soon after purchasing our present Lodge building in 1923,
major renovations were started. After the initial renovations,
the first significant project was the installation of the
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Window in 1926. Directly behind the
master's station in the east, it is a large stained-glass window
designed and crafted by local artisan Oliver Smith, who had
studied such windows in cathedrals in England and France. Several
years prior to this project he had designed new stained glass
windows for Christ Church in Oyster Bay.
The Roosevelt Memorial Window depicts a knight in full armor,
standing on the firm foundation of a high rock. His sword is
sheathed and his flag is furled, signifying his desire for peace
with honor, while he stands fully capable of giving battle to the
enemies of righteousness. The castle at his back represents the
principles for which he is ready to fight, and if necessary, die.
The entire scene is illuminated by the rays of a rising sun with
bordering panels of various masonic symbols. At the lower and
central panels, flanked by two presidential eagles is the simple
inscription: "In memory of Theodore Roosevelt, 1901 -
1919." The window commemorates the raising of Theodore
Roosevelt in 1901 and his death in 1919.
|