Restoration of Astoria’s Historic Masonic Lodge

Did you have your high school prom in our beautiful ballroom? Maybe you held your wedding reception in our building? When the US Coast Guard lost funding from the government shutdown, maybe you recall the generosity of the local Masons who allowed those without a home to go to set up an emergency shelter in the lodge? Or are you a Mason from a lodge somewhere across the world who believes in keeping our important history within the fraternity? Maybe you just love history and want to see the heritage of the oldest settlement on the West Coast preserved.

Whatever your reason for donating, just know that you are helping to save this piece of US history, this resource to the community, this beautiful place of love and light from being lost forever.

Work is already underway to protect it from the elements by repairing some of the most damaged portions of the exterior. But this is only a first step. If we want to stop this important piece of history from being lost forever, we need your help.

A Little About Our History & Our Current Activities

Hello, my name is Quinn Allan Haase. I’m a member of Seaport Masonic Lodge #7 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon. We are the descendant of the 7th Masonic Lodge founded in Oregon, chartered back in 1854… before Oregon was even a state!

Our original lodge building burnt down in the tragic fire of 1922 which claimed much of downtown Astoria. By 1923, we had already completed work on the current building we occupy at 1572 Franklin Ave in Astoria Oregon.

A photo of the lodge from the 1930's

The various groups that once shared the building with us, from The Order of the Eastern Star (Fern Chapter), to the local Scottish Rite and York Rite chapters, and all the youth groups they sponsored, gathered their resources in 1979 and endeavored to repair the building. In 1980 it was renovated.

Now, 100 years after the building was completed, all of those groups except for Seaport Lodge #7 (originally called Temple Lodge #7) have disbanded and our beloved building has fallen into disrepair. Dwindling membership in these types of organizations, coupled with the harsh coastal weather the building endures, has resulted in what we see across much of our historic town… a beautiful piece of history that is only a shadow of its former self.

Repairs to the front of the building after the Winter storm of 2022.

But…the night is always darkest just before the dawn. And there is hope on the horizon! A new generation of men have been heeding the call and we’ve seen renewed interest in our Fraternity in recent years. As we rebuild our membership, guided by those who have tended the light for all these years, we are ready to lead the charge to save this important historic landmark.

In recent years, Seaport Lodge #7 has opened its doors to provide a meeting space, not just for Masons, but in support of our community and those who help to make it great. We've been a venue for a free philosophy lecture series hosted by a local philosophy teacher, a workspace for a group centered around fostering connections and community wellness, and an event space for everything from holiday parties to performances. We're continuing our partnerships with The Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, Clatsop Community College, The Charlene Larson Performing Art Center, and Grace Episcopal Church. Many times we are offering our space for little to no fee at all. Your support in this restoration will allow us to continue to work with organizations like these to help our community grow and thrive. We hope to also see the return of events such as the Astoria Comics, Toys, and Collectibles Swap Meet hosted by yours truly!

With the help of some grants, donations from members, and partnering with other Masonic Lodges in Oregon, we have already begun the important work of repairing and restoring our precious building!

As you can imagine, this is a big undertaking and every contribution counts. Thank you for your kind donation.

Quinn and his son at the first Astoria Comics, Toys, and Collectibles Swap Meet.

How Will The Money Be Spent?

The money raised from this campaign will go into our Building Restoration & Repair fund. As we work with contractors and artisans to build a master plan to restore our building to its original beauty, we will do so from the lens of historical preservation: to ensure that the rare architectural elements that give our Greek Revival building its characteristic look are maintained.

Our current phase of the restoration is centered around stopping the building from further damage from the elements by:

These are only the first steps in our plan which right now focuses on protecting the building from further deterioration while restoring much of the historical elements which make it so unique.

Funds will also be used to renovate portions of the inside of the building, especially those areas which were subject to water damage. These renovations will be coupled with efforts to provide modern accommodations while maintaining the historical look and help with other issues around accessibility and keeping with modern standards.

As we continue to raise funds to help meet our goal, it’s important to know that many grants are for matched amounts and require us to put in an equal amount of money. Your donations will allow us to apply for bigger grants so we can ensure that we have enough in matched funds to apply.

We are also very keen to continue to make our building more accessible to the public. With your help, we can create opportunities for social events, community engagement projects, and historical tours. We hope to be able to curate our impressive collection of over 100 years of Astoria history into a museum-like experience so the public can come learn of the important impact some of our most prominent members have made in Astoria, and Clatsop County.

This is all possible through your kindness.

It’s a big number, but every little bit truly counts. We believe that when people get together behind an idea, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable. You’ll be surprised how what you contribute creates the momentum for others to do the same. Before you know it, you and every other person who helps us make this a reality can say: I did it! I helped save a piece of history! With your help, we can.

Other Facts:

Thank you for considering making a donation today. For more information, to send a check instead, discuss Masonic membership, or consider estate-planning opportunities, reach out to me directly. My name is Quinn Allan Haase and I'm so glad you've chosen to come with us on this journey.

Check out our new website: www.seaportmasoniclodge.com

Our beautiful building.