As part of my ongoing research project—Under the Light of the Moon: The History and Legacy of Lunar Masonic Lodges in America—I’ve had the privilege of connecting with Brethren across the country whose lodges maintain unique and often symbolic traditions rooted in Masonic heritage.
The project began as a personal exploration, inspired by my membership in Mariposa Lodge No. 24, a Lunar Lodge in California that has met on or before the full moon since its chartering in 1853. What started as curiosity has now grown into a nationwide study, with 59 Lunar Lodges identified across 18 states and the District of Columbia. The project has entered an ethnographic phase, focusing not only on data collection but on capturing the living voices and experiences of Masons who preserve these traditions.
I recently shared the story of Chalk Mountain Lodge in Texas during Masonic Education at San Dimas Masonic Lodge. That lodge, chartered in 1904, has passed the lunar tradition through generations of the same family. It is one example of how symbolism, history, and family intersect in our Craft.
But today’s spotlight shines on Putnam Lodge No. 46 in Connecticut—one of the most historically vibrant and ritual-rich lodges I’ve encountered in this research. Putnam has met continuously since 1801, never missing a Stated Communication, and still meets according to the lunar cycle.
One of the most memorable customs preserved at Putnam is its annual fumigation.
Each December, the lodge hosts its Annual Communication, which draws Masons from across New England, New York, and sometimes even further. The day begins at 10 a.m., and at noon, the Brethren adjourn for a traditional meal of homemade oyster stew and apple pie. It’s more than a meal—it’s a ritual of its own.
Following lunch, the lodge reconvenes to conduct the annual election of officers. But once the election is complete, the Worshipful Master calls the lodge to refreshment, and the room prepares for what comes next: the fumigation.
Stewards distribute cigars—referred to affectionately as “ammunition.” At the Master's signal, all cigars are lit at once. The room quickly fills with smoke. Laughter, jokes, and storytelling fill the lodge room as the Brothers enjoy a tradition that dates back over two centuries. According to lodge lore, the Worshipful Master cannot close the meeting until he can no longer see the Senior Warden through the haze.
While good-humored in tone, the fumigation is also steeped in symbolic meaning. It’s said to drive out “insects, varmints, and critters,” but also serves as a nod to General Israel Putnam, for whom the lodge is named. General Putnam received cigars and sugar cane from the British Crown for his service in Cuba, and the lodge has honored him in this smoky, spirited way ever since.
These stories are exactly why I launched the Lunar Lodge Project—to document not just when or where Masons meet by the moon, but how they meet: the customs they uphold, the symbols they protect, and the spirit they keep alive.
Putnam’s fumigation is just one of many stories being uncovered. As the project continues, I’ll be sharing more traditions like these—ones that remind us that Freemasonry isn’t fading; it’s evolving, preserving, and sometimes laughing through the smoke.
I invite you to follow this journey, whether through future blog posts, public presentations, or conversations at lodge. These stories are more than historical footnotes—they're beacons that just might help us rediscover our Craft under the light of the moon.
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