Upon a hill in Christiana Hundred, catching the first brilliant rays of the rising sun, reflecting the glorious shades of the setting sun and watching the stars in their course at night, stands that noble edifice, the pride of every Delaware Mason, our Masonic Home.

It is the cynosure of friendly eyes and the object of a thousand prayers. It is an enduring charity that deserves our sacred protection. Here is no pauper's refurge. Here is no almshouse for our beloved and unfortunate. No brethren, our Masonic Home represents the brightest page in the history of Masonry in Delaware. For here is a HOME, around which clusters all that makes that word one of the sweetest and dearest. If you could gather every lovely thought that the poet has sung of home -- add every charm that memory carries of the old home that sheltered your youth -- and then let that be increased with every comfort that kindness and love can suggest -- you have a picture of the Masonic Home of Delaware.

At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Delaware in October 1895, Grand Master Virginius V. Harrison reported:

                “During the year my attention has been called to the fact that there are in the Jurisdiction a number of our brethren well advanced in years, to whom fortune has not been kind, and who having passed the first two stages of human life, are now in that third or last stage, when they should, in the language of our beautiful ritual, be enjoying the ‘happy reflections consequent upon a well spent life,’ are instead, dependent upon the cold charity of the world, and the thought occurred to me: Cannot something be done by Grand and Subordinate Lodges combined, whereby these brethren might have a home in which to pass the few years that may be allotted to them in peace and comfort, happy in the reflection that they are not paupers, but members of a great Fraternity, to whom they can look with confidence.”

            The newly elected Grand Master, M:.W:.Joseph L. Cahall, appointed a Committee to consider the formation of a Masonic Home: R:.W:.Wilmer Palmer, Chairman, M:.W:.James S. Dobb, W:.J. Parke Postles, M:.W:.John B. Book, M:.W:.Joseph W. H. Watson, M:.W:.George W. Marshall, M:.W:.Nathanial F. Wilds, M:.W:.Eldad L. Clarke and M:.W:.Virginius V. Harrison.

                 In October 1896, the Committee reported that after considering the subject thoroughly they deemed it inadvisable to establish a home as the expense, owing to our limited numbers and resources, would be greater than our ability to bear.

                The idea remained more or less dormant until 1910. On February 2nd, the officers and Past Masters of Lafayette Lodge No. 14 met to discuss the advisability of making a donation to Hope Farm for anti-tuberculosis work. After considerable discussion, it was the opinion of those present that if any money could be raised, it would be better to use it for establishing a Masonic Home to care for the Masons in this Jurisdiction. A collection was taken up which amounted to $3.60. The three dollars was deposited in a special account for a Masonic Home. The balance consisting of seven nickels and twenty-five pennies was put in a frame in the form of a triangle as a memento of this auspicious occasion. This memento is today on display at the Home.

               On March 9, 1910, Past Master William W. Know of Temple Lodge No. 11 made a motion in his lodge that an account of $100.00 be opened in the Wilmington Savings Fund, to be held as a contribution for the purchase and maintenance of a Masonic Home.

                Past Grand Master Virginius V. Harrison, who was now Grand Secretary and who had initiated the idea back in 1895 when he was Grand Master, added fuel to the fire. The fire began to spread and other lodges started to give serious consideration to the project.

               Grand Master Edward B. Mode in his report to Grand Lodge in October 1910 said, “The establishing of a Masonic Home was so forcibly brought to my attention by the action of several of our Lodges that I took the subject in hand with the idea of seeing if such a object could be accomplished.

                "After writing Brother Smith, manager of the New Jersey Masonic Home, at Burlington, N.J. when their Home Committee met, the invitation being extended to others who might be interested.

                “Along with Past Grand Masters J. Paul Lukens, Harry J. Guthrie and Thomas J. Day, Grand Secretary V. V. Harrison, Grand Treasurer Enoch Moore and Past Master Samuel G. Cleaver, the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, near the Grand Lodge of Delaware, I made the visit.

               “We were met at Burlington station by Brother Richard C. Woodward, Senior Grand Warden of New Jersey and Brother Smith, manager of the Home, who escorted us to the Home where we were most cordially received by Grand Master Sherman and the Committee and hospitably entertained. We were taken through the buildings and over the grounds, and all the workings of the institution explained to us as well as being permitted to attend the meeting of the committee, to see how they transacted the business; we could ask any questions we wished so as to give us all the light possible to help us in our noble cause.

                “We found the New Jersey Masonic Home far beyond our most sanguine expectations and conducted on such a high level that we can never expect to see a similar institution, in our small jurisdiction established in such a grand way nor maintained in such an elegant manner. However, I fully believe that we can have a Home well suited to our needs both now and for years to come and still not find it a burden upon any of our members.

                “Some days after this visit, I called a meeting of the Past Grand Masters and a few others, who, I knew, were deeply interested. After an informal talk the unanimous sentiment seemed to be that we should have a Home. Past Master Samuel G. Cleaver very kindly consented to call on some of our prominent members and see what pledges he could get towards the starting of a Home, if this Grand Lodge authorized it, but all pledges were asked with the understanding that they were contingent on the Home being built and not for money to go to a fund to be accumulated for a Home years hence. Brother Cleaver found the sentiment decidedly in favor of a Home and he met with encouragement on all sides.

                “The sentiment all along the line seems so encouraging that I feel we can readily build a Home and that all that is needed is just a little energy properly extended and the Home will be ours before we fully realize it. To do this, we must not defer action from year to year, but take action and go ahead with the work.”

 On motion of Past Grand Master Thomas J. Day, a committee was appointed to procure a Masonic Home and to have authority to levy a tax on each Lodge of $1.00 per capita for maintenance. The following Committee was appointed: R:.W:.G.Layton Grier, M:.W:.Edward B. Mode, R:.W:.Enoch Moore, M:.W:.Henry I. Beers, W:.William E. Valliant, M:.W:.Harry J. Guthrie, R:.W:.David C. Rose, M:.W:.J. Paul Lukens and W:.Samuel Cleaver.

                By the Annual Communication in October 1911 the various Lodges in the Jurisdiction had been informed of the project and their representatives were a position to act. The Committee submitted the following recommendations which, upon motion, were adopted:               

                “First, We recommend, that the ‘Masonic Home Committee be incorporated under the name of the ‘Masonic Home Corporation of Delaware,’ and that the members of said Committee be the incorporators, and have the power to elect their own officers.

                “Second, That said Corporation be and is hereby empowered to purchase a Masonic Home at any time when in their judgment, it is considered advisable.

                “Third, That fifteen hundred dollars of the Grand Charity Fund and all the money in the Grand Reserve Fund, be and are hereby appropriated to the proposed Masonic Home Corporation, to become payable immediately upon its incorporation. The presentation of a copy of the certificate of incorporation to the committees of the above mentioned funds shall be a sufficient warrant for the payment of said moneys.

                “Fourth, That a per-capita tax of one dollar be and is hereby levied to be payable on the first day of July, 1913.”

                Immediately after the adjournment of Grand Lodge, the Committee met and organized in order to incorporate under the laws of the State of Delaware. They received their charter November 1, 1911, and reorganized with the following officers and members:

                              PGM J. Paul Lukens, Chairman

                        PM David C. Rose, Vice-Chairman

                        PGM Harry J. Guthrie, Secretary

                        PM William E. Valliant, Treasurer

                        PGM G. Layton Grier

                        PGM Edward G. Walls

                        PM George B. Hynson

                        Samuel G. Cleaver, Grand Treasurer

                  Brother Cleaver resigned after the first meeting and Brother Edward B. Mode, Past Grand Master was appointed in his place.

              On November 29, 1911, the beautiful property known as Highfield, consisting of an old mansion and about 12 acres of ground on Lancaster Pike, was purchased for $10,500. After alterations and repairs, the Home was furnished by the several Masonic Bodies: the hall by Eureka Lodge No. 23, the library by the Scottish Rite Bodies, the living room by St. John's Commandery No. 1, the dining room by Delta Chapter No. 6, the kitchen by Temple Lodge No. 11, the second and third floor halls by LuLu Temple, the first tower room in memory of Past Grand Master, John P. Allmond, one bedroom in memory of Brother George Henry Raymond of Harmony Lodge No. 13. The rest of the bedrooms were furnished by Lafayette Lodge No. 14, St. John's Chapter No. 4, Washington and Lafayette Chapter No. 1, Washington Lodge No. 1, Oriental Lodge No. 27, Corinthian Lodge No. 20, DuPont Lodge No. 29, and Brandywine Forrest No. 20, Tall Cedars of Lebonan.

            The afternoon of the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on October 2, 1912 was devoted to the ceremonies of dedicating the Masonic Home. The address of welcome was given by Grand Master Enoch and the formal presentation of the Home for dedication was made by Past Grand Master J. Paul Lukens, Chairman of the Board of Managers. After the acceptance by the Grand Master, the officers of the Grand Lodge of Delaware proceeded to dedicate it to benevolent and Masonic purposes, according to ancient forms and usages. M:.R:.William J. Rowan, Grand Chaplain, in his Prayer of Consecration said, "The great aim we have in mind, as we dedicate this Masonic Home is to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds. Bless this work and labor of love!"

               After a scholarly oration on Masonry by Rev. Brother Charles A. Hill, D.D., and address by Past Grand Master Josiah W. Ewan of New Jersey, the exercises were concluded.               

                    Delaware now had a Masonic Home—a Home where our unfortunate aged Brethren and their wives or widows may have their declining years made comfortable and peaceful. In November, regulations for admission were adopted. Brother and Mrs. Thomas McKinney, Sr. were selected as Superintendent and Matron, respectively, and the Home was ready for service.

                During the first year there were eight guests—four men and four women. The Board appointed a Ladies Visiting Committee composed of Mrs. Thomas J. Day, Mrs. J. F. Robinson, Mrs. V. V. Harrison, Mrs. J. B. Martin and Mrs. J. S. Grohe, who were to visit the Home from time to time and report their findings and recommendations.

                To recount all that has transpired at the Masonic Home of Delaware from 1912 to date would fill a good size book. The many hours of love and devotion by individuals, the acts of various Lodges and Masonic groups, the bequests, construction problems, landscaping, improvements, the donations of those things that make a house a home, the religious services, the entertainment and a thousand other acts of love and thoughtfulness, some known, some unknown – all cannot be covered in this brief chapter. The glorious privilege of doing for others is the sweet aroma of a beautiful life. Our Masonic Home is certainly the cream of unselfish devotion. Our ritual reminds us that the joy of life is not in getting, but in serving. This being true, then the oil of joy is manifested in the growth of character. Our Masonic Home has developed character.