Louis J. Viehmann: Island City Lodge Brother and the Furniture Factory That Became a Talking Heads Loft
Louis J. Viehmann, a furniture manufacturer and brother of Island City Lodge No. 586, helped build the industrial life of Hunters Point. Decades after his death, the Teepe-Whitney factory became a loft for Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth—and a recording space for Fear of Music.
Frank E. Haff of Island City Lodge No. 586: The Railroad Man Who Connected Long Island’s Masons
From a Babylon telegraph key to the leadership of the Long Island Rail Road, Frank E. Haff connected communities—and Masons—across Long Island. As Master of Island City Lodge No. 586 and District Deputy Grand Master, he revitalized his lodge, presided at Theodore Roosevelt’s initiation, and took a principled stand over Masonic debt.
Garret J. Garretson: First Master of Mizpah Lodge No. 738 and the Judge Queens Would Not Let Go
In 1873, Garret J. Garretson opened his Newtown law office to eight fellow Masons and became Mizpah Lodge No. 738’s first Master. His story follows a village lawyer into education, the Greater New York Charter Commission and a judicial career that earned the lasting confidence of Queens voters.
Timeline of the Lodges That Formed Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586
Follow the six lodges that formed Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586, from City Lodge’s 1856 charter in Manhattan to the final consolidation in Astoria in 2018. This timeline traces their charters, temples, moves, and five consolidations.
Townsend Scudder of Glen Cove Lodge No. 580: Congressman, Judge, and Grand Master of New York
Townsend Scudder joined Glen Cove Lodge No. 580 in 1889 and rose to become a congressman, judge, and Grand Master of New York. Follow his recurring role in Queens Masonic history, from installing Advance Lodge’s officers to dedicating Island City’s temple, without belonging to any of the six lodges in the lineage.
A Map of the Lodges, Temples, and Meeting Places in the Advance Service Mizpah Lineage
Explore five selected meeting places in the lineage of Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586, from Grand Street in Manhattan to the Advance temple in Astoria. This map guide follows the lodges through Long Island City, Elmhurst, and Flushing, showing how shared buildings brought separate branches together.
Island City Lodge No. 586 Members Directory: Charter Members and Past Members
Browse past members of Island City Lodge No. 586, chartered in Long Island City in 1866. This growing directory will include charter members and historical member profiles, tracing connections to the Astoria lodge that still carries Island City’s number.
Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 Members Directory: Past Members of Six Lodges
Browse past members of Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 and the six lodges in its lineage. Organized by lodge, this growing directory connects names, offices, and membership dates with individual lodge directories and historical profiles as they are published.
Island City Lodge No. 586 and the Laying of Its Cornerstone
On September 8, 1906, Island City Lodge No. 586 laid the cornerstone of its Jackson Avenue temple in Long Island City. Follow the procession from Smithsonian Hall, the plans for a building with stores beneath its lodge room, and the connection to Advance Lodge of Astoria.
The Island City Masonic Temple: A Building That Served a Growing Borough
Built on Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, the Island City Masonic Temple combined lodge rooms with rental space and a basement bowling alley. Explore its 1906 plans, musical and social life, and the federal court tenancy that eventually sent the lodge to Elmhurst.
One Lodge, Six Charters: Start Here with Advance Service Mizpah No. 586
Start exploring One Lodge, Six Charters, a series tracing Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 through its six predecessor lodges. Find your way into the lodge histories, temples, member profiles, and five consolidations that connect Manhattan, Astoria, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Flushing.
From Forge to Council Table: John L. Morris, Charter Member of Advance Lodge No. 635
An Astoria blacksmith raised in Island City Lodge in 1866, John L. Morris helped found Advance Lodge No. 635. His story connects the lodge’s beginnings with the Odd Fellows’ hall and the Long Island City Board of Aldermen.
A Founder Who Became Master: William M. Berger of Advance Lodge No. 635
William M. Berger was a young New York merchant when he was raised a Mason in 1866 and became a charter member of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. By 1878, he was its Master—one of seven charter members who went on to lead the lodge.
Fifty Years an Odd Fellow: James M. Whitcomb and the Founding of Advance Lodge No. 635
James M. Whitcomb helped found Advance Lodge No. 635 and served as its Treasurer, but his fraternal life began with the Odd Fellows in 1846. His story connects fifty years in that order with Astoria’s waterfront, volunteer fire service, and civic life.
From Hunters Point to Astoria: Charles Risdale and the Founding of Advance Lodge No. 635
English-born blacksmith Charles Risdale became a Mason at Hunters Point in 1866 and helped found Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects Queens’ early lodges, Odd Fellows, and volunteer firemen—and traces a lodge lineage that survives today.
Mizpah’s Watchtower in Old Newtown: The Story of Mizpah Lodge No. 738
Mizpah Lodge No. 738 began in a Newtown lawyer’s office in 1873 and grew into a gathering place for Masons across Queens. Explore its founding, its Elmhurst temple, its ties to Island City and Geba, and the consolidations that carried its name into Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586.
Island City Lodge No. 586 and the Temple That Served the City
Chartered in 1866, Island City Lodge No. 586 built a Jackson Avenue temple that the federal court eventually took over. Follow the lodge from Long Island City to Elmhurst and Astoria, where its number survives in Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586.
Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586: A Living Inheritance of Six New York Lodges
Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 carries the history of six New York lodges chartered between 1856 and 1923. Explore the One Lodge, Six Charters series through five consolidations, meeting places from Manhattan to Queens, and the people behind the lodge that meets in Astoria today.