Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Arts & Culture

Location

9706 US-20, Bridgewater, NY 13313, USA

Lat/Long

42.879, -75.2511

Grant Recipient

Route 20 Association of New York State

The Western Star Masonic Lodge was charted in 1797 in the rural hamlet of Bridgewater, NY. Among the signers of the original charter were two major political and historical figures: DeWitt Clinton, and Robert Livingston.  Beginning his political career as a New York State Assemblyman, DeWitt Clinton rapidly ascended the political ladder, serving as a United States Senator, Mayor of New York City and Sixth Governor of New York. In addition to his accomplishments as a politician he also oversaw the construction of the Erie Canal, which transformed the economy of the New York. Robert Livingston was a Founding Father and co-author of the Declaration of Independence. During the American Revolution, and in subsequent years, Livingston served as Chancellor of New York and additionally served as the first U.S. Secretary of State. Nearly twenty years after the original charter, the Western Star Masonic Lodge Building was constructed in 1816 and as of 2020, still stands today.