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          CIS: 71202,22
          
          THE CASE OF THE REAPPEARING MEDALLIONS
          by
          George T. Halteman, MPS
          
          
          
          Recently I saw a small ad in the Knights Templar Magazine that
          read "Lapel Pins 200th Anniversary Grand Lodge of Vermont
          1794-1994." Naturally, being an avid collector, this is what I was
          looking for. I have some 400 pins that have been collected over
          the past 150 years. It always excites my curiosity when I find
          these ads.
          Just recently, I have started collecting Masonic coins or
          medallions and when I sent my order in for lapel pins I enquired
          if they had struck any coins or medallions. Their Grand
          Secretary advised me that I could Purchase a Centennial
          Medallion for the modest price of $10.00. Beyond those
          Centennial Medallions there had to be a story. I wrote to my
          literary hero, Allen Roberts, thinking he might look into this. He
          did. He told me to find the story, write it and send it in. On my
          fourth order for pins and medallions I asked M. W. Cedric L. 
          Smith P.G.M., Grand Secretary of Vermont, to send me
          anything he might have that I could use in writing this article.
          He Was very helpful and sent me copies of the Grand Lodge
          Proceedings. I then investigated and discovered the following: In
          1893, a motion was made by M. W. Alfred A. Hall P.G.M. that
          the first four officers of the Grand Lodge be appointed, with full
          power, in the matter of celebrating the Centennial of the
          Organization of the Grand Lodge. Any expenses incurred by
          said committee were to be paid by the Grand Treasurer upon
          approval by the Grand Master.
          M.W. Marsh O. Perkins P.G.M. introduced the following
          resolution and on motion the same was accepted and adopted.
          That the Grand Master be authorized to procure designs and
          prices of a medal of bronze or other materials to be struck in
          commemoration of the Centennial of the Organization of this
          Grand Lodge. They were to be sold under regulation and
          restrictions to be determined by him. Provided that no expense
          be entailed upon the Grand Lodge in procuring such medals
          beyond that of securing an acceptable design. As authorized by
          resolution of the Grand Lodge last year, to commemorate the
          centennial of the Organization of this Grand Body, be procured
          designs and secured a beautiful and appropriate medal  bronze
          containing, on the obverse, the seal of the Grand Lodge, and on
          the reverse, a suitable inscription. The demand  for the medal
          was not equal to the professed and anticipated interest of the
          Masons of Vermont.
          As he had reason to expect that large numbers would want to
          possess this valuable historic memento and Masonic souvenir,
          he felt justified in getting a supply commensurate with the
          prospective orders, at an expense of $365.70. But, the resolution
          limited him to an expenditure covering only the procuring of a
          design, about one-seventh of the total cost. He submitted the
          statement for Grand Lodge approval with the desire that they
          should formally adopt the disposition of the medals now on
          hand. For some unknown reason the medals were not turned
          over to the Grand Secretary until after the Centennial
          Celebration that was held in June 1894.
          The committee to  whom was referred that part of the Grand
          Masters address relating to the centennial medal, would
          recommend that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to pay the
          expenses incurred in obtaining the medals, amounting to
          $365.70, and that the medals be placed in the hands of the
          Grand Secretary for sale at $1.00 each. Due to the timing the
          medals were introduced, they did not find a market.
          
          Wor. Bro. C. A. Calderwood, from the Committee on Finance
          introduced tile following resolution, and the same was accepted
          and adopted. Resolved, that the Grand Secretary be instructed
          to dispose of them at 50 cents each. M.W. Levant M. Read
          P.G.M., Grand Secretary, placed them in the old Grand Lodge
          vault.
          In 1895 a plan that had long been cherished in the minds of
          Vermont Masons, namely to build and own a Masonic Temple,
          began to take shape. With the generous cooperation of the
          citizens and brethren of Burlington, a suitable site was located in
          that city. And on October 20, 1897 the cornerstone was laid.
          The building was completed and dedicated by the Grand Lodge
          at its One Hundred and Fifth Communication, June 15, 1898.
          The Grand Lodge occupied this building until 1983, when they
          moved into a new building. The old building was sold and the
          new owners thought it best to take the old building down. At the
          time this building was built there were no sidewalks. When the
          sidewalks were put in, they were directly over the old forgotten
          vault. The building was taken down and the excavating started.
          When they tore up the sidewalk they discovered the old vault,
          which they returned to the Grand Lodge, and their Centennial
          Medallions reappeared. There was never anything written in the
          minutes to indicate the disposition of these beautiful medallions.
          They are a collectors dream and are available from Grand Lodge
          of Vermont.