Freemasonry took root in Delaware long before the state's Grand Lodge existed as an independent body. The earliest documented lodge activity in the colony goes back to the mid-1700s, when traveling brethren from Pennsylvania and Maryland worked degrees in Wilmington and New Castle under warrants from older jurisdictions. For decades, Delaware lodges operated under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which is why so many of the early minute books reference Philadelphia as the parent body. That changed on June 6, 1806, when delegates from the handful of working lodges in the state met in Wilmington and chartered the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware.

It was, and remains, one of the smallest Grand Lodges in the United States by geography. The first Grand Master was Gunning Bedford Jr., a signer of the U.S. Constitution and a federal judge, which set a tone for civic involvement that ran through the fraternity for the next two centuries. Through the early 1800s, lodges spread along the corridor from Wilmington down through Dover and into Sussex County.

The Anti-Masonic period of the late 1820s and 1830s hit Delaware harder than people remember; several lodges went dark and a few never came back, and the Grand Lodge had to rebuild rolls almost from scratch in the 1840s and 1850s. The Civil War years were complicated for a border state with divided loyalties, but Delaware Masonry held together and rebuilt steadily through Reconstruction. Lodge buildings often doubled as community meeting halls in the smaller towns of Kent and Sussex counties, where civic infrastructure was thin and Masonic charity stepped in to fill gaps. The late 19th century saw a wave of new charters as the railroad and the chemical industry around Wilmington brought population growth.

The 20th century brought the construction of the Masonic Temple in Wilmington, expansion into Sussex beach communities like Rehoboth and Bethany, and a long stretch of stable membership before the post-1960s decline that hit nearly every American jurisdiction. Through it all, the Grand Lodge of Delaware has retained a personal, small-state character; visiting Grand Masters from larger jurisdictions often comment on the fact that you can meet most Delaware Past Masters in a single weekend at one annual communication. Today the Grand Lodge still meets annually and oversees a small but active network of constituent lodges that punch well above their weight in scholarship and charitable activity.

Oldest and Most Historic Lodges in Delaware

Delaware's lodge roster is short compared to bigger jurisdictions, which actually makes the historic ones easier to track. Washington Lodge No. 1, located in Wilmington, holds the senior position on the Delaware register and traces its origins back to a Pennsylvania warrant issued in the late 1700s before being re-chartered by the new Grand Lodge in 1806. St.

John's Lodge No. 2, also in Wilmington, is another of the founding lodges and has held continuous meetings for more than two centuries. Hiram Lodge No. 25, chartered in the mid-1800s, became one of the workhorses of central Delaware Masonry and has produced multiple Grand Masters.

Union Lodge No. 7 in Dover sits in the state capital and has had its share of legislators and judges across the rolls. Down in Sussex County, Endeavor Lodge No. 17 in Lewes is one of the older coastal lodges, with members who served in maritime trades back when sailing was still the main industry along the Delaware Bay.

Granite Lodge No. 34 and Doric Lodge No. 30 round out the list of pre-1900 lodges that are still operating today. Each of these bodies has its own building, its own archive, and a distinct set of traditions that reflect the era it was founded in.

If you want a feel for how the fraternity actually evolved in this small state, walking through the lodge rooms in Wilmington and Dover is a better history lesson than most books.

Delaware Masonic Lodges by the Numbers

Delaware is one of the smallest Masonic jurisdictions in the country, which is fitting for the second-smallest state. The Grand Lodge currently oversees roughly 20 to 25 active constituent lodges spread across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Total membership has hovered in the 2,500 to 3,500 range in recent years, down from peaks of around 10,000 in the post-World War II era when nearly every Delaware town had its own lodge. The state is divided into a small number of districts, with most concentration in and around Wilmington, the Dover metro area, and the southern coastal communities of Lewes, Milford, and Georgetown.

The Grand Lodge office is located in Wilmington, and the official website at masonsindelaware.org maintains the current lodge directory and meeting schedules. Despite the small footprint, Delaware Masonry punches above its weight in charitable giving on a per-capita basis.

How to Become a Freemason in Delaware

Becoming a Mason in Delaware follows the same general framework used across U.S. mainstream jurisdictions, but with a few local quirks. The first step is finding a lodge near where you live or work and asking to meet some of the members. Most Delaware lodges are happy to host a casual dinner before a stated meeting so you can ask questions and get a feel for the brothers.

To formally apply, you'll need to submit a petition signed by two current Master Masons in good standing who can vouch for your character. The petition is read at a stated meeting, an investigation committee is appointed, and they'll typically come to your home for an informal interview. Then there's a ballot of the lodge, which must be unanimous under Delaware constitution. Fees vary by lodge but generally fall in the $200 to $400 range for the three degrees, plus modest annual dues that usually run between $75 and $150.

From petition to becoming a Master Mason typically takes six months to a year, depending on how often the lodge confers degrees and how much memorization you put in for the proficiency examinations. The Grand Lodge of Delaware F&AM is the sole authority for recognizing lodges and conferring the three Blue Lodge degrees in the state.

Notable Delaware Freemasons in History

Delaware has produced or hosted several notable Freemasons over the years. Gunning Bedford Jr., the first Grand Master, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and one of Delaware's signers of the U.S. Constitution; he later served as a federal district judge. Caesar Rodney, the patriot famous for his midnight ride to Philadelphia to cast Delaware's vote for independence in 1776, was associated with early Masonic activity in the state, though documentation from that period is incomplete.

Senator John M. Clayton, a 19th-century U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, was a Mason and a prominent figure in Kent County lodge life. Henry Du Pont of the famous Delaware industrial family appears in lodge records as an active member.

Thomas F. Bayard Sr., U.S. Senator and ambassador to Great Britain, was raised in a Wilmington lodge in the mid-19th century. More recently, several Delaware governors and members of Congress have been Master Masons, although the fraternity tends not to advertise current members.

The state's small size means that, historically, being active in business or politics in Delaware almost guaranteed running into Masons at every level.

Prince Hall Freemasonry in Delaware

Prince Hall Freemasonry has a long and important history in Delaware. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Delaware was chartered in 1849, making it one of the older Prince Hall Grand Lodges in the country and a key institution in the African American community of the mid-Atlantic. For most of its history it operated entirely separately from the mainstream Grand Lodge, since formal recognition between the two bodies didn't come until much later. Mainstream-Prince Hall recognition in Delaware was finally established in the 1990s, putting Delaware among the earlier states to formally acknowledge Prince Hall as a regular and legitimate Masonic body.

Today the two Grand Lodges maintain a cordial relationship, exchange visitations, and cooperate on civic and charitable projects. Prince Hall lodges in Delaware have historically been concentrated in Wilmington and Dover, where active African American communities supported lodge buildings and youth groups for generations. Many leaders of Delaware's civil rights era passed through Prince Hall Masonry, and the lodges served as meeting spaces for organizing efforts that don't always show up in mainstream history books. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Delaware also oversees Eastern Star, youth orders, and Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies parallel to the mainstream system.

Frequently Asked Questions about Masonic Lodges in Delaware

How many Masonic lodges are in Delaware?

The Grand Lodge of Delaware F&AM currently oversees roughly 20 to 25 active constituent lodges across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, plus a separate set of Prince Hall lodges under the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Delaware.

Where is the oldest Masonic lodge in Delaware?

Washington Lodge No. 1 in Wilmington holds the senior charter position on the Delaware register, with origins predating the 1806 founding of the Grand Lodge itself. Its early authority came through a Pennsylvania warrant before Delaware became its own jurisdiction.

How do I find a Masonic lodge in Delaware?

You can browse the LodgeFinder Delaware directory or visit the Grand Lodge website at masonsindelaware.org for the current list of constituent lodges, meeting times, and contact information. Most lodges welcome visitors and prospective members.

Does Delaware recognize Prince Hall Masons?

Yes. The mainstream Grand Lodge of Delaware and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Delaware established mutual recognition in the 1990s. The two bodies maintain inter-visitation rights and cooperate on charitable and civic activities.

What is the Grand Lodge of Delaware address?

The Grand Lodge of Delaware F&AM is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. For the current mailing address, phone number, and office hours, the official website at masonsindelaware.org is the most reliable source.