Laying the Groundwork for the University
Seattle celebrated Independence Day with the formal, ceremonial laying of the corner-stone for the new University of Washington.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The corner-stone of the new University of Washington was laid with the ancient and solemn ceremonies of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Grand Master Joseph Marion Taylor presided over the event, calling upon the Right Rev. Daniel Bagley to invoke blessings upon the site. The ceremony honored the growth of the state and the city, with special prayers offered for the workmen engaged in rearing the structure. Edmond S. Meany oversaw the arrangements. The event, which took place on the Fourth of July, served as both a patriotic celebration and a milestone for higher education in the region.
“The day of Independence was rightfully celebrated by the state taking another step in educational matters.”
The University of Washington’s move to its current location was a monumental effort by the city to secure its status as an educational hub. This ceremony highlights the era's reliance on fraternal orders like the Masons to sanctify and legitimize major public infrastructure projects.
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