Masons Laying the Cornerstone of the Pocahontas County Board of Education Building in Marlinton, WV

Masons Laying the Cornerstone of the Pocahontas County Board of Education Building in Marlinton, WV

1948-Oct 11

Marlinton Lodge No. 127 AF&AM laying the cornerstone at the Pocahontas County Board of Education Building in Marlinton, WV. The cornerstone held a small metal casket, approximately 7 x 4 x 4 inches, and contained two copies of The Pocahontas Times, two copies of The Marlinton Journal, a 1948 quarter and a 1948 nickel. At left in dark suit: Arnout Yeager, Principal of Marlinton High School. Center in light suit: Walter Jett, County Agricultural Agent. Right in dark suit: Paul Mason. The casket was opened in Marlinton on July 24, 2020 Because of their heritage as builders of cathedrals and other public structures, the Freemasons have historically performed a special ceremony at the laying of cornerstones for new buildings, upon request. In the Masonic cornerstone ceremony, the stone is checked, using ancient tools, to be certain it’s square, plumb (straight), and level because a building constructed on a poor foundation isn’t strong. Next, the cornerstone is consecrated with corn (or grain), wine, and oil — all of which are Masonic symbols of prosperity, health, and peace. Finally, the stone is symbolically tapped in place with a gavel. Inside each cornerstone, the Masons place a “casket” – a small, sealed box containing information and objects pertinent to the year in which the cornerstone was placed.

Marlinton, W.Va.

Ted McElwee, Photographer

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