(File Photo) Marietta Masonic Temple Board President John Goins showcases the history within the Masonic Temple Monday, pointing to a sword that belonged to C.R. Stevens, the first Masonic commander of Marietta, on June 3, 2025.

The American Union Masonic Lodge celebrated its 250th anniversary on Feb. 15. The weekend celebration included an open house at the Marietta Masonic Temple, which has been at 308 Front St. since 1789, guided visits through the Campus Martius Museum focusing on the Masonic history in the area, and a board dinner with discussions from Masons around the region.

During the open house at the Marietta Masonic Temple, attendees could view the Lodge’s decades of historic documents and memorabilia.

Displayed items and documents included original American Union Lodge records from 1776 and the Lodge Seal from 1790.

Worshipful Master David Goldberg has been a member for eight years and said some of his duties include overseeing the meetings of the Lodge, ensuring members are receiving quality Masonic work and new members are receiving the best experience they can.

“I have no power beyond what the members grant me, it’s a position of leadership and honor, not really of power,” said Goldberg. “I joined Freemasonry because I had met many men in my life who had positive influences on me that I would also learn to be Freemason.”

Goldberg said the goal of Freemasonry is to bring together men with various backgrounds in politics and religions to attempt to improve the community as well as themselves and each other.

He said Masonic Lodges often participate in charities and take action in the community by offering help and providing funds.

“During my time as a Mason, I have met and become friends with men I wouldn’t have ever encountered previously and all these men have the same goal; to make themselves a better version of themselves,” said Goldberg. “Freemasonry doesn’t try to make bad men good, but good men better.”

Goldberg said the 250th anniversary is important to him because he said he is a veteran and many of the military lodges didn’t survive conflicts and time.

“I did not know the historic significance of American Union Lodge when I petitioned to join it, but now I truly feel honored to be part of its history,” he said.

He said the American Union Lodge was a “traveling military lodge” and traveled during the Revolutionary War. He said it provided Masons with the ability “to hold Lodge” throughout the entirety of the war.

Lodge Education Officer Dan Hrinko, a resident of Noble County, said the American Union Masonic Lodge was active throughout the war from 1776-1783. Hrinko has authored Masonic books and was the primary planner for the celebrations.

He said Gen. George Washington was a well-known Freemason and attended meetings at this Lodge at least twice.

“It’s a really big deal to have something 250 years old,” said Hrinko. “It was a full weekend of events people could attend à la carte-style.”

He said after the District Deputy Grand Master conducted and approved the Lodge’s yearly inspection Friday to ensure they are doing diligent work, the weekend was full of social events.

Hrinko said he’s been the Lodge Education Officer at the Marietta Masonic Lodge for two years and a member for five. He said he’s been a member at various Lodges in Ohio for 49 years.

“My father was a Mason and businessman in Springfield and I noticed the way he conducted business was always fair and honest,” he said. “All of his friends were Freemasons and they had a special bond that connected them.”

Hrinko said he learned early on that being a Freemason meant being in a brotherhood with others who shared like-minded values. He recalled a time when his father remained fair and honest in a financial situation with his business.

“I’m proud of the fact that the philosophy I study is an ancient philosophy studied well over 500 years ago by Freemasons,” said Hrinko. “I’m connected to that history.”

He said the American Union Masonic Lodge was formed for the military to bring the Freemason practices and values back to their hometowns during the height of the Revolutionary War.

“I’m a continuation of that history,” he said.

The American Union Lodge meets the third Monday of every month with a dinner and social hour from 6-7 p.m. at the Marietta Masonic Lodge.