Mason's Hall
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Why it's listed
Mason's Hall, at 1807 East Franklin Street in Richmond, is a Masonic meeting house begun in 1785 and finished as a frame structure in 1787. It rises two stories over a high brick basement covered in gray stucco, with a low hipped roof and an octagonal cupola topped by a weathervane bearing the Masonic insignia. A mid-nineteenth century remodelling added a pedimented portico with Tuscan piers and Doric columns, Greek Revival moldings and Gothic-style window trim. Inside, the second-floor chapter room features Palladian arches and painted Masonic ceiling motifs from an early twentieth century redecoration. The nomination calls it the oldest building in the United States erected for Masonic purposes and continuously used for them. Its history also includes use by the Hustings Court, where John Marshall gained early judicial experience, service as a hospital during the War of 1812, and a visit by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824. Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 has owned it since 1878.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest building in the United States erected for Masonic purposes and continuously used for that purpose, and one of Richmond's few surviving eighteenth century buildings. It also hosted civic events and figures such as John Marshall, Edmund Randolph and Lafayette. Despite later exterior and interior alterations, its simple white frame form retains elegance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73002220, listed July 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1807 E. Franklin St., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | July 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002220 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1785-86 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival remodelling (mid-nineteenth century) of an eighteenth century building |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, altered, and in use as a Masonic lodge. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.53328, -77.42637 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73002220.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6783506
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.