The Ancient Craft
What is Freemasonry?
One of the world's oldest and most enduring fraternal traditions — a brotherhood built on moral virtue, mutual support, and the pursuit of truth.
A Fraternity of Good Men
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that traces its origins to the stonemason guilds of medieval Europe. Over centuries it evolved into a society of men bound not by trade, but by shared values: integrity, charity, and the improvement of oneself and one's community.
Today, Freemasonry is practiced in lodges across the world. Each lodge is a local chapter of brothers who meet regularly to conduct the ceremonies of the Craft, support one another, and serve their communities. Waltham Triad Lodge A.F. & A.M. is one such lodge, chartered under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.
A Brief History
From the Stonemasons to the Modern Lodge
Medieval Origins
The roots of Freemasonry lie in the operative stonemason guilds of the Middle Ages. These craftsmen built the great cathedrals of Europe and guarded their trade secrets through a system of signs, words, and degrees of initiation.
The Grand Lodge Era
In 1717, four London lodges united to form the first Grand Lodge, marking the birth of modern, speculative Freemasonry. The Craft spread rapidly through Europe and the American colonies, attracting men of learning, principle, and public life.
Freemasonry in America
Freemasonry took deep root in the American colonies. Many of the founders of the United States were Masons, and the fraternity played a significant role in the civic and intellectual life of the new republic. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, established in 1733, is among the oldest in the world.
The Craft Today
Freemasonry remains active across the globe, with millions of members in thousands of lodges. While the world has changed, the principles of the Craft — Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth — remain as relevant as ever.
What Masons Believe
Freemasonry does not prescribe a particular religion or political view. It asks only that its members believe in a Supreme Being and commit themselves to living by a moral code. The Craft teaches through allegory and symbol, using the tools of the stonemason as metaphors for building a virtuous life.
Brotherly Love
Masons regard one another as brothers, offering mutual respect, support, and fellowship across all walks of life.
Relief
Charitable giving and service to those in need — within the lodge, the family, and the wider community — are central obligations of every Mason.
Truth
The pursuit of moral and intellectual truth is the great work of the Craft. Masons are called to improve themselves so they may better serve others.
Seeking the Light
Could Freemasonry Be Right for You?
Freemasonry is open to men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being, are at least eighteen years of age, and come to the Craft of their own free will. No one is recruited — a man must ask. If you are curious about the lodge and what it means to be a Mason, we welcome your inquiry.