Over the past summer, I worked as a Student Nurse Tech in Washington, DC, a city of tremendous history and significance. One of my favorite parts of the city was Dupont Circle, a historic neighborhood and roundabout park in DC's Northwest District. Home to a weekly Farmer's Market, large metro station, and abundant shops, Dupont Circle is a bustling center of activity. As I explored the various businesses and restaurants scattered throughout the area, I noticed one particular building. The building was extravagant, with white pillars carved in intricate detailing, and large, taking up an entire block. DC is known for its plentitude of embassies, each representing the interests of their respective countries, so my first assumption was that this building was home to another embassy. However, upon researching the building, I found that it was known as the Perry Belmont House or the International Temple of the Order of the Eastern Star. It is one of the largest private residences in DC.
The exterior of the Perry Belmont House is easily one of the most extravagant, well-kept I've seen, even compared to the awe-inspiring magnitude of the DC embassies. My natural instinct after reading the words, "the International Temple of the Order of the Eastern Star," was to conduct a thorough Google deep-dive. I found that the Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic appendant body, established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, and adopted as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873. Part of the Order's mission is to provide for the welfare of the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, sisters, and other relatives of Master Masons. The Perry Belmont House itself houses the business offices of the Order of the Eastern Star and the residence of the Right Worthy Grand Secretary of Eastern Star. It is available for tours and special events, including weddings.
After reading of the multitude of secret societies/religions that have begun, prospered, and/or failed, I thought back to the Order of the Eastern Star. To me, it separates itself from other modern 'secret' societies through its ability to maintain ownership of such a substantial chunk of DC real estate for such a long duration. The Order clearly has the connections and/or members with the capacity, wealth, and standing to afford such a costly expense. Will it stand the test of time? Furthermore, does this tangible representation of Freemasonry demonstrate the organization's continued yet perhaps underground power and influence within society?
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| Does the Perry Belmont House pay for itself in hosting weddings/special events? |
Thanks for this blog post. I have been to Dupont Circle but never realized what I was seeing. I am glad to be enlightened. I have only vaguely heard about the Order of the Eastern Star and did not realize that it was a Masonic extension. I just googled "secret societies," and there are a ton. listed, and many associated with universities in addition to student Greek organizations.
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