The Architects of America

Sound Bite

Did the Freemasons consciously affect the geographical growth of the United States in order to invest the layout of the states with a deeper, symbolic meaning? The narrative concentrates on the development of Masonic ritual during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, especially their description of the 'ideal building' or Temple, the concurrent construction of America and the role Freemasons played in it, and the emergence of a simple but highly symbolic mathematical formula that recurs regularly throughout the history of the Republic. Maps and diagrams illustrate the surprising coherence of the theory.

About the Book

The Freemasons were in on the ground floor during the construction of the American Republic.This book is a study of the role played by Freemasons in designing the United States, and an analysis of possible symbolic meanings they may have built into the very shape of the nation. It is certainly well known that a theoretical basis for what was to become America existed from the time of Richard Hakluyt and Sir Francis Bacon; whilst the (potential) symbolism of Washington DC's street plan has become the stuff of popular legend. The author's thesis falls somewhere in between: that from 1733 onwards, right up to the statehood of Hawaii in 1959, the alignment, size, shape, and even elevation of the 50 states has been carefully constructed to a plan, a design that identifies America as an architectural phenomenon as well as a political and social unit.The narrative concentrates on the development of Masonic ritual during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries'especially their description of the 'ideal building' or Temple'and the emergence of a simple but highly symbolic mathematical formula that recurs regularly throughout the history of the Republic.

Introduction

"I was made a Freemason at the Salutation Tavern, Tavistock Street," scribbled Doctor William Stukeley, "with Mr. Collins and Capt. Rowe, who made the famous Diving Engine." In this rather terse and uncharacteristically bald sentence, William Stukeley committed his personal experiences of the evening of 6th January, 1721 to his diary.

As someone well known across England for floridly chronicling anything that caught his eye, it might be expected that this particular physician, well versed in the importance of good observation and reporting, could have drawn back the curtain on the ceremony that actually took place within the walls of the Salutation for the benefit of the future. This necessarily didn't mean the full works, just a whiff of detail, or a touch of drama perhaps; but this he failed to do, save for some supplementary commentary about the poor turnout at this particular Masonic assembly, for barely enough Masons had even bothered to turn out to induct the three newcomers, leading Stukeley to believe, quite wrongly, that he, Collins and Rowe were the first men in years to be 'made a mason.'

Regardless of the shortcomings of the Doctor's report, the above mixture of straightforward record and absurd conclusion does illustrate something not only of the character of William Stukeley Esquire but also the life and times he lived in. Born on November 7th, 1687, in the town of Holbeach, close to England's east coast, Stukeley came to consciousness in an era when the power of subjectivity and superstition still hadn't buckled in the face of objectivity and science. Britain might be leading the World in terms of intellectual endeavor, but it was still a land of witch trials and religious persecution, a country of self proclaimed 'freemen' toiling under an aristocratic and self-regarding polity.

This particular mindset could affect anybody, even the Doctor's fellow Lincolnshire man, the great Isaac Newton, who, whilst publishing his seminal work on mechanics, Principia, during the year of Stukeley's birth, still found time to dabble in the occult, believing he, along with a few others, had been charged by God to decipher the Bible. Little wonder then that the intellectual chaos of the age was in turn to leave its mark on Stukeley himself, especially when the theories he expounded in his 1730s works Stonehenge, a Temple Restored to the British Druids and Abury, a Temple of the British Druids would eventually be viewed as ridiculous.

Battered as Stukeley was by competing belief systems, his eye for detail on the road to Stonehenge was at least sharpened by academic training considered conventional for the time. Whilst at grammar school, he started making topographical and architectural drawings, augmented with descriptions of historical artifacts and latterly plans of towns and buildings from across Britain, a collection that eventually saw the light of day as his 1724 book Itinerarium Curiosum. Going up to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Stukeley initially studied medicine, and after graduation, he fine tuned his knowledge at Saint Thomas's Hospital, London, experience he used to good effect when he returned to Lincolnshire to practice in 1710.

Possibly finding country life a little dull after the excitements of Oxford and the Capital, he was back in London by 1717, the year he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1719 he took his MD, and became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians twelve months later.Tending to the physical needs of humanity wasn't the end of Stukeley's intellectual odyssey, for the Lincolnshire man now turned his attention to the spiritual, earning, within a decade of his Medical Degree, a doctorate in Theology, which in turn led to his ordination into the Anglican Church.

This was clearly a mind hell-bent on engorging information, so why was it that this particular theologian, archaeologist, but pre-eminently scientist, heading off to the Salutation one freezing January night looking to be initiated into something expressing itself through the symbolism of physical labor? Whatever he may have thought lay ahead, it was unlikely the Freemasons were ever going to be of much use in his attempts to decipher Stonehenge, mapping the townscapes of England or analyzing some poor soul's cadaver; though conversely, it must have also crossed his mind, as he strode through chilly London, and eventually turned into Tavistock street, what on earth he, with his already great knowledge of science and scripture, could ever hope to offer them.

Naturally, an alternative method of shedding light onto why someone like William Stukeley desired to be 'made a Freemason' is, of course, by looking at the other two men initiated that night. Regarding Collins, any attempt at understanding his motivation is, however, well near impossible. Stukeley never committed any helpful references to Collins's identity to his diary, and neither is the man's background or achievements recognizable from existing records. This leaves the third man sitting outside the meeting at the Salutation to make up the shortfall, and this is Rowe, who thanks to his 'Famous Diving Engine' has left behind an imprint on history, and like Stukeley, a scientific imprint to boot.

Rowe's Engine was basically a watertight iron barrel, with holes cut for arms and legs and a small window in front of the face. The idea was the 'Engine' enabled the wearer, up to a certain depth, to perform salvage and, in the Captain's own words, 'searching a ships bottom and stopping any leake at sea'. Apart from epitomizing the go-ahead ethos prevalent in the early eighteenth century, the Diving Engine, if it worked, was of course invaluable to an ocean going nation like Great Britain. Keen to impress everyone, especially the Admiralty, Rowe naturally seized the opportunity, organizing trials during 1720 to show his invention off in the best possible light.

At first, the omens looked good, for the inventor's efforts resulted in a spectacular haul of thirty-three tons of silver being clawed from the hold of the East India Company wreck Vansittart. Such stunning success was, however, a false dawn. ....

Information

In The Architects of America, Russell C. Blackwell invites readers on a captivating journey through the intricate tapestry of American history, focusing on the pivotal role of Freemasonry in shaping the nation. This enlightening exploration reveals how Masons were not merely bystanders but active architects in the formation of the United States, intricately designing its political and cultural landscape.

Freemasonry and the Founding of America: Beginning with the historical roots of Freemasonry in the early 18th century, Blackwell meticulously outlines how these secretive yet influential societies contributed to the revolutionary spirit that characterized the birth of America. With notable figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as prominent Masonic members, the author delves into the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that underpinned the Republic’s foundation.

The Symbolic Design of the Nation: One of the most intriguing aspects of Blackwell’s narrative is the analysis of the symbolic meanings embedded in the architecture and layout of Washington D.C. The author reveals how the city’s design reflects Masonic ideals, with streets and monuments that serve as powerful symbols of democracy and freedom. Readers will discover how the layout of the nation’s capital embodies the principles of enlightenment and the quest for knowledge, thereby serving as a testament to the Masonic influence on America’s ideological framework.

Architectural Phenomenon—States and Their Significance: Blackwell’s thesis takes a compelling turn as he explores the alignment, size, shape, and elevation of the 50 states. He argues that these geographic elements are not random but rather the result of a deliberate architectural plan crafted by the Freemasons. Through meticulous research and analysis, the author reveals how these elements symbolize America as an architectural phenomenon, bridging the realms of political, social, and spiritual significance.

The Mathematics of Masonic Design: As the narrative unfolds, Blackwell introduces readers to the mathematical formulas that recur throughout America’s history, emphasizing their symbolic importance in Masonic rituals. This intriguing perspective provides a fresh lens through which to view the Republic’s evolution, suggesting that the Masonic influence extends far beyond mere architecture into the very fabric of American identity.

Reflections on American Ideals: This work blends historical insights with an assessment of cultural significance, and Masonic philosophy, guiding readers in reflecting on the deeper meanings behind the nation’s design. Blackwell’s work emphasizes the importance of understanding how these foundational elements influence contemporary society and governance. By examining the interplay between Freemasonry and American ideals, the author encourages a renewed appreciation for the values that continue to shape the Republic today.