Preserving a Living Institution
Active Preservation Projects
Cornelia Grinnan Grave Marker Restoration
This preservation project supports stabilization and repair of the historic grave marker of Cornelia Grinnan (1821–1864), located within the Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 Masonic Cemetery established in 1784.
Cornelia Grinnan was the daughter of Daniel and Helen Buchan Grinnan, a prominent Fredericksburg family connected to early Virginia commerce and civic life. Historical accounts describe her as a relation of the Duke of Argyle, a visitor to Adencaple Castle in Scotland, and a guest received by Queen Victoria.
The marker’s lower base has developed structural cracking and separation requiring conservation work to prevent additional deterioration and preserve the monument for future generations.
PROJECT STATUS
Preservation Goal: $500
Current Funding: $0
Status: Active Fundraising
Scottish Charter Conservation Project
This preservation project supports the professional conservation and stabilization of the 1758 Charter issued to Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Issued during the colonial period, the Scottish Charter formally established Fredericksburg Lodge under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and remains one of the foundational historical documents of American Freemasonry. The charter represents the institutional beginnings of what would become one of the oldest documented Masonic lodges in continuous operation in America.
For more than two centuries, the charter has survived war, political change, environmental exposure, and the natural aging of historic paper materials. Visible fading, staining, and structural fragility now require professional archival conservation to ensure its continued preservation for future generations.
The proposed conservation work includes:
- Stabilization of the original paper material
- Surface cleaning and conservation treatment
- Assessment of current framing and mounting methods
- Environmental preservation recommendations
- Long-term archival protection measures
This effort helps preserve not only an important document of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, but also a surviving piece of early American and Masonic history connected to the colonial era and the development of Freemasonry in Virginia.
PROJECT STATUS
Preservation Goal: $4,000
Current Funding: $0
Status: Active Fundraising