Today, August 15th, 1966, we meet on a very special occasion.
It is the One Hundredth (100) Anniversary of Acacia Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No . 39, on the Registry of The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.
To prove the date of our birth, we find on the first page of the first Minute Book of the Lodge, the following inscription:
“Acacia Lodge”
Organized and Dispensation granted
August 15th, 1866
In addition, we have a copy of
the By-Laws which states:
“Under English Dispensation”
by Warrant of Dispensation
Granted the 15th day of August, A.D., 1866 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
by
Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia
The Dispensation was granted to Andrew Gow to assemble a sufficient number of Freemasons at Bridgewater
and open a Lodge to be named “Acacia Lodge”; wherein the said Wor. Bro. Andrew Gow presided
as the first Master, with Bro. William Owen, as first Senior Warden and Bro. John W. Andrews as first Junior Warden.
The Lodge was opened with Thirteen Charter Members as follows:
| Andrew Gow | George A. Gates |
| William H. Owen | John Batley |
| John W. Andrews | John McMillian |
| J. K. Knight | Abram Rhodenizer |
| James F. Fraser | James A. McKean |
| Charles H. Chase | James Batley |
| James Starratt |
August 15th, 1866
The first Officers of the lodge
| Name | Age | Office | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Gow | 29 | Master | Merchant |
| J. W. Andrews | 24 | Jr. Warden | Merchant |
| C. H. Chase | 27 | Sr. Deacon | Merchant |
| James Starratt | 33 | Jr. Deacon | Retired Gentleman |
| James Fraser | 42 | Treasurer | Merchant |
| J. W. Knight | 27 | Secretary | Teacher |
| John Batley | Chaplain | Architect | |
| G. W. O. Gates | Inner Guard | Carpenter | |
| John McMillian | 36 | Tyler | Moulder |
| William H. Owen | 24 | Sr. Warden | Lawyer |
Having proved to our satisfaction, the date of our birth and given the names of
the Family who faithfully declared their willingness to protect us
in our infancy, let us take a look and view our growth to maturity.