The Story
The original Masonic Hall that stood in Wayne was part of a large industrial complex that spanned both sides of the stream below Mill Pond. On July 1, 1863, a fire destroyed the sawmill, grist mill, shovel handle factory, match factory, and the Johnson Woolen Mill. Having a building to house the fraternal order of the Masons was so important to the town that W.H. Burgess, Treasurer of the Asylum Lodge, commissioned a replacement in 1866, and construction was completed the following year.
The 1867 Masonic Hall is the final remnant of the once-thriving industrial complex of Wayne, and the last standing piece of Wayne’s industrial history. It was used by local Freemasons into the 1980s, after which time it sat mostly vacant, used only to house an annual flea market. In 2016, the building was purchased by Sustain Wayne, a local nonprofit group that wishes to see this building survive and thrive long into the future. The group plans to save the building for generations to come.
The Threat
The Hall needs immediate repairs before it faces the irreparable harm of more storms, floods, and winters. Sustain Wayne received a $50,000 grant for roof repairs from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, but to work on the roof, the foundation first needs to be repaired. Sustain Wayne has launched a capital campaign to raise $100,000 for the first phase of rehabilitation of the Hall. Phase 1 will address the most significant threats to the building: lifting the Hall out of the floodplain, setting it on a new foundation, and repairing the roof.
How to Get Involved
Consider making a donation to Sustain Wayne’s Phase 1 development program here, where you can also track the progress of the fundraising campaign.
More information can be found on Sustain Wayne’s website or by sending an email.
Follow along with Sustain Wayne as they work towards their fundraising goals to revitalize the Masonic Hall on Facebook and Instagram.
