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Brete Murphy
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Brete Murphy
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Elmhurst History, Notable Members Brete Murphy 8/20/26 Elmhurst History, Notable Members Brete Murphy 8/20/26

Geba Lodge and the Making of Modern Queens  

Founded in Elmhurst in 1919, Geba Lodge No. 954 reflected the changing face of modern Queens. Its members included psychologists, psychiatrists, merchants, amusement-park operators, entertainers, tradesmen, and neighborhood leaders.


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Freemasonry in Queens, Elmhurst History Brete Murphy 8/20/26 Freemasonry in Queens, Elmhurst History Brete Murphy 8/20/26

Mizpah’s Watchtower in Old Newtown

Mizpah Lodge No. 738 began when Newtown was still a small Queens village. From a law office and rooms above Broadway to a permanent temple in Elmhurst, its history shows how one lodge preserved fellowship and continuity through a century of urban change.


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Queens and New York City History

Articles on neighborhoods, landmarks, institutions, local figures, and overlooked stories from Queens and the wider city.

Freemasonry in Queens

Research and writing on lodges, notable members, Masonic buildings, and the role of Freemasonry in local civic life.

Masonic Symbols and Education

Essays on symbolism, ritual meaning, historical context, and educational subjects within Freemasonry.

Fraternal Traditions

Separate writing on related orders, traditions, and practices approached through historical and educational interpretation.

Future Projects

Books, booklets, historical tour guides, image collections, and an interactive map of Queens are planned as this site continues to grow.

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  • Queens History
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Recent Writing

The blog is the center of this site — an ongoing space for original articles, research notes, historical essays, and commentary.

Topics include Queens history, New York City history, Masonic lodge history, symbolism, notable members, architecture, and fraternal traditions.

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About Brete Murphy

I am a writer and researcher focused on Queens history, New York City history, Freemasonry, symbolism, architecture, and fraternal traditions. This site brings together my writing, research, and long-term publishing projects in one place.

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A Growing Historical Resource

BretMurphy.com is intended to grow into more than a blog. Over time, the site will include books, short publications, historical tour guides, curated image collections, and interactive tools that make history more accessible and engaging.

This is a long-term project, built one article, one place, and one story at a time.

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Brete Murphy

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