Welcome to The Harvard Lodge A.F. & A.M.

We have established this website to share our Lodge with fellow Freemasons, as well as those who are simply curious.


The Harvard Lodge A.F. & A.M. was instituted on May 18th 1922, as the first Academic Masonic Lodge in the world.The Lodge was founded primarily through the efforts of both Roscoe Pound, Dean of Harvard Law School; and Kirsopp Lake a Professor of the Divinity School. The formation of the Lodge was the result of several University based Masonic organizations coming together to form a distinct and unique Masonic Lodge. These include The Harvard Masonic Club, The Harvard Square and Compass Club, and the Harvard Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity.

What makes the Lodge distinct is the fact that it is an Academic Lodge, meaning that its membership is restricted to men who have a connection to Harvard University. That connection can include being a student, alumnus, faculty member or employee. One of the many unique characteristics of The Harvard Lodge is that its members don their academic robes and regalia at the Lodge's regular meetings.

The Harvard Lodge does not solicit new members. Any individual interested in membership must take the first step and express interest. Acceptance is not automatic. Although Freemasonry is multi-denominational, all candidates for membership must declare a belief in a Supreme Being. Secondly, all candidates must be of demonstrable "good character".

Applicants must have a sponsor and will be screened by a committee of three, following which a vote will be taken by members of the Lodge in closed session—with each member having the right to cast a veto (literally, a "black ball" procedure).

Successful applicants will be warmly welcomed and promptly initiated, following which they will immediately be entitled to participate in most Lodge activities. They will be assigned a mentor who will help guide them through the remaining steps—including literally being "given the third degree"—requisite for full Lodge membership.