Franklin Lodge Charter Master: MAJ Joseph Gillette, CSA (photo circa 1856)

The Community Builder Award is a prestigious honor bestowed by Virginia Masonic Lodges upon non-Masons who demonstrate exceptional service to their communities, churches, or government, embodying Masonic principles of service without expecting recognition

Franklin Lodge No. 151

History of Franklin Lodge No. 151 A.F.& A.M.

The History of Franklin Lodge

Franklin Lodge No 151 is a product of four different Lodges. Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 25 (), Berlin Lodge No. 42 (), Somerton Lodge No. 99 (), and Acacia Lodge No. 84 () can each give to the history of Franklin Lodge. The distance of each of these Lodges from the Franklin area and the mode of transportation in the year 1855 gave rise to the need of a Lodge in Franklin. On February 13, 1856 Brother Stephen G. Darden, Secretary of Mt. Olive Lodge No. 25 submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a Lodge in Franklin. There were eleven other signatures on the petition. All but one of these eventually joined Franklin Lodge. The name of the Lodge was left blank on the petition with the choices being Franklin or Seaboard. The charter was granted on December 10, 1856, with twenty-eight charter members.

The following is a list of the District Deputy Grand Masters governing Courtland Lodge No. 85: