For our September 2025 regular meeting we received a guest from Kentucky USA carrying a very special treasure.

On the 4th September Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge met at Mark Masons Hall whilst the meeting was not unfamiliar to any English Masons, towards the end of the meeting W.Bro Adrian Hodgson rose and recounted the following historic story of the connection between The Statue of Liberty, Freemasons and this Lodge.

During an official visit to London in 1890, Most Worshipful Bro. John W Vrooman, now Grand Master of New York, accompanied by Chairman of the Trustees and Chief Commissioner of Appeals, was invited to our lodge consecration.
Unfortunately, it appears that in October 1894 the Founders Jewel presented to MW Bro. Vrooman was destroyed in a fire, in writing to the Lodge he requested to obtain a replacement at his own costs, the Lodge arranged for a replacement to be sent out

Bro. Jason Rudder hailing from McKee Lodge No.144 & Lexington Lodge No.1 under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky recounted his journey: "On a balmy May afternoon in 2025 is wandering the shops and stores in Columbus, Ohio, I happened to browse the display case in the Heritage Square Antique Mall. There, amongst forgotten treasures and relics of a bygone era, something caught my eye. It was a tarnished silver Masonic breast jewel with a tattered ribbon, beautifully crafted and radiating a sense of history that spoke to him from across the display case."
In open Lodge Bro. Rudder returned the Jewel once lost, back home and concludes “on behalf of all those who have safeguarded this treasure, knowingly or not, over 135 years, I had the distinct honor and privilege of completing its journey from East to West, and back again. I was not giving you a gift, but rather, restoring a piece of your heritage. I felt it was my obligation to return it home.”