|
|
|
The Town of Hay Market was chartered in 1799 at a place formerly known as Red House, and in 1802, became the home of the District Court (of all surrounding counties,) after the relocation from Dumfries. As many of the court’s officers were Masons, a decision was made to petition the Grand Lodge of Virginia to establish a Lodge in the town rather than necessitate a trip to Dumfries Lodge. The Grand Lodge issued a charter that year and Hay Market Lodge #67 began meeting in the court house, it being the most convenient location. The Virginia Legislature relocated all District Courts to their respective counties in 1808, causing the Prince William Court to return to Dumfries in 1809. Until 1820, Hay Market Lodge #67 met in various buildings in the town and eventually was moved in total to Centreville and renamed Centreville Lodge. A new charter for a Lodge in Haymarket was issued by the Grand Lodge in 1911 and named the Drinkard Lodge #313, in memory of Past Grand Master William F. Drinkard, and subsequently met over Butler and Rector Wheelwright shop for five years. On January 25, 1915, the Lodge met in this building for the first time and in 1961, after suffering some embarrassment for the name “Drinkard”, the Lodge passed a resolution to change the name to Hay Market, so given under the original spelling. |
|
|