A History of Pennsylvania Aprons

Men pour into the lodge chairs every year, following the custom of donning their apron and gloves to sit and conduct their Stated Meetings. Many are completely unaware of the history that went into their apron though, as I completely was. The following are several aprons discovered in our lodge, and after much research and reading my findings.

This Apron is likely the oldest, dating to approximately the late 19th century or early 20th century. It is in accordance with the original Ahiman Rezon adopted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

I'm unsure of why this apron only has the blue liner at the top. Possibly a transitioning period between the full white-apron and our modern apron. There is no evidence as of yet to support this claim, though there were many found just like this.

The following apron is our modern apron and can be derived from the 1928 edition of the Ahiman Rezon where ARTICLE XV states the following:

Section 1. Every Brother must wear a Masonic apron on entering a Lodge. To be properly clothed for admission to Communications of the Grand Lodge, every Master and Warden of a Lodge must wear his appropriate jewel and apron. Every Past Master must wear his jewel. Lodges may make such other rules for the government of their members as to dress at Lodge meetings only, as may be approved in their By-Laws.

Section 2. Masonic aprons are made of white lambskin, and are fifteen inches wide and thirteen inches deep, square at the bottom, with a one and one-half inch blue border, and a flap in triangular shape, with a one inch blue border. The name and number of the Lodge may be on them.