Aero Club Of New England History | New England Aviation History

Aerial Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. – 1909

February 10, 2017

Aerial Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. – 1909

On Tuesday, September 16, 1909, the balloon “Massachusetts” made an ascension from Pittsfield, Mass., and while more than 7,000 feet in the air became the first balloon in aviation history to have a Masonic meeting conducted in its basket. The Massachusetts was owned by the Aero Club of New England.

The following article appeared in the Essex County Herald, (of Guildhall, Vermont) on September 24, 1909.

“Aerial Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., was formed last Thursday afternoon in the balloon Massachusetts at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet, it being the first meeting of the kind ever held, and the lodge was conducted with all Masonic observances possible under the conditions. The balloon ascended from Pittsfield, and the Masonic ceremony was the chief feature of a short but most interesting aerial journey. This item has a peculiar interest to our readers in Essex County, inasmuch as Jay B. Benton, formerly of Guildhall, is senior warden of the new lodge.”

The following article appeared in the Evening Star, (Washington, D. C. ), on September 25, 1909, page 3.

“The latest in the way of novelty is the institution of a Masonic lodge in a balloon more than a mile in the air. This happened at or near Pittsfield, Mass., recently, when Aerial Lodge A. F. & A. M., was instituted in the balloon Massachusetts at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet, this being the first meeting of the kind ever held.

The lodge was conducted with all Masonic observances possible under the conditions. J. J. Van Valkenburg of South Framingham was worshipful master; Jay B. Benton of Winchester was senior warden, and Charles J. Glidden of Boston junior warden.

The Masonic ceremony was the chief feature of a short but most interesting aerial journey, the details of which were recounted when the party descended at Greenfield, Mass., after considerable difficulty in getting the huge gas bag and its numerous trappings out of the forest.

The start was made in the afternoon at 2:05 o’clock from the grounds of the Aero Club of New England, at Pittsfield. At the highest point recorded, 7, 200 feet, the Masonic ceremony took place.”

Mt. Greylock, MA – August 3, 1912

May 30, 2016

Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts – August 3, 1912

On August 3, 1912, the balloon Boston, piloted by J. J. Van Valkenburg, president of the Aero Club of New England, ascended from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Also aboard was William C. Hill, treasurer of the club. The balloon sailed northeastward towards Mt. Greylock, in the town of Adams. While over the mountain, it hit what was described in the press as an “air hole” and abruptly dropped 1,500 feet and smashed into the tops of some trees. It then inexplicably rose again, soaring to an altitude of 6,000 feet. It then continued on a northeasterly course until landing in Rowe, Massachusetts. Nether man was reported to be hurt.

Research has found another balloon flight over Mt. Greylock that almost ended in disaster. On September 19, 1884, Mr. J. A. Rogers of Boston ascended in a balloon from North Adams, Massachusetts, to an altitude of 10,000 feet where he began to suffer from hypothermia. As the balloon passed over Mt. Greylock it began to fall at a rapid rate, and it was with great effort that Rogers was able to throw out enough ballast to prevent the craft from crashing into the rocky summit. With disaster averted, the balloon sailed off to the southwest and landed in Williamstown, Mass.

Sources:

The Democratic Advocate, (Westminster, MD.), “Balloonist Drop 1500 Feet, Then Bounce Mile”, August 16, 1912

Daily Evening Bulletin, (Maysville, KY.) “Balloon Ascension”, September 22, 1884