Cover from the Jan 2009 issue of the Connecticut Freemasons publication celebrating the 20th anniversary of mutual recognition between the AF&AM and MWPH Grand Lodges.
From left are Past Grand Masters Kenneth B. Hawkins, Sr., Lewis P. Myrick, Sr., Gail Nelson Smith, and Preston L. Pope (1990)
Four of the principal protagonists in the 1989 mutual recognition of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Connecticut and the Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., Prince Hall Affiliates, of Connecticut, Inc. gather to reflect on the events leading up to that historic change made 20 years ago. From left are Past Grand Masters Kenneth B. Hawkins, Sr., Lewis P. Myrick, Sr., Gail Nelson Smith, and Gail Linnell Smith. Bro. Smith holds a photo from 1990 showing the first three with MW Preston L. Pope, a Prince Hall Past Grand Master who was also an integral part of the passage of recognition.
At MW Gail N. Smith’s April 4, 1990 annual communication, he greeted Connecticut Rainbow Grand Worthy Advisor Jean Anna Pudlo (right) and Supreme Deputy Delores M. Burr. Seated to the right of the podium, for the first time at a Grand Lodge communication are Prince Hall Past Grand Master Preston L. Pope and Prince Hall Grand Master Lewis Myrick, Sr. The photo also shows, from left, l to r. Sheldon K. Blank, RW SGW, New York; Thomas W. Jackson, RW Grand Secretary, Pennsylvania; Richard C. Curtiss, MW Grand Master, Vermont; and Christopher T. Wyld, MW PGM.
In 1989, the respective committees on recognition included, from left: Madison Bolden, John Suomala, Ralph Watts, Robert L. Hodgson, Kenneth B. Hawkins, Sr., Preston L. Pope, Lewis Myrick, Sr., William L. Greene, Vernal Davis, R. Stanley Harrison, and Edward N. Jones.
From left: Preston L. Pope, Vernal Davis, William L. Greene, Kenneth B. Hawkins, Lewis Myrick, Sr., Edward N. Jones, and R. Stanley Harrison watch Bro. Ken sign the agreement in principle for recognition between the Grand Lodge of Connecticut AF & AM and the Grand Lodge F&AM, Prince Hall Affiliates.
At MW Gail Smith’s testimonial in Norwich, attendees included (from left) Bill Greene; John Bedel of the Knights of Columbus, serving as State Deputy; Lew Myrick, Sr.; Tom Dougherty, New Jersey; MW Gail Smith; and Merle Tapley, Past Grand Master.
Pictured are the son/father Grand Masters: Gail N., left, and Gail L, at a recent discussion of Prince Hall recognition.
At the January 9 installation of Wolcott Lodge No. 146, Wolcott, a Prince Hall Mason was installed as Senior Warden of an AF & AM lodge among a group of friends and dignitaries. From left, Prince Hall Grand Master Michael L. Ferguson; Kellogg Lodge No. 5, Waterbury, PHA Worshipful Master Willie Elliott; PHPGM Lewis P. Myrick, Jr.; Wolcott Senior Warden Thomas Mallory; PHPGM Floyd E. Bagwell, Jr., Wolcott Worshipful Master Walter Atwood; and PGM George S. Greytak.
The principals of the recognition process, MW Lewis Myrick, Sr. and MW Kenneth B. Hawkins, Sr. cut a 20 year anniversary cake.
MW Lew Myrick and RW Carl G. Ek, Worshipful Master. Unity Lodge No. 148, New Britain, at the Recognition Table Lodge. MW Myrick was protagonist for recognition twenty year ago, and RW Ek is the author of this series.
Connecticut's recognition of Prince Hall Masons eventually resulted in the National Sojourners accepting Prince Hall Masons as members. Here, from left, fellow Sojourners Lou Vander Eyk, Bill Greene, Lew Myrick and Stan Sheldon share a moment at a Sojourners get-together.
