Clover Masons put first president’s portrait back in schools

The Masons of Clover completed a mission Sept. 22 to make sure schools comply with an 83-year-old Congressional mandate.

The Alpine Masonic Lodge No. 208 presented 12 framed Lansdowne portraits of George Washington during the regular meeting of the Clover School District Board of Trustees.

“It's something South Carolina Grand Lodge has taken on themselves to do to put a portrait of George Washington in each of our schools,” said Perry Johnston, currently chaplain and past master. “It’s one of those things enacted, and no one followed through with it.”

There are 1,253 public schools in the state, according to South Carolina State Department of Education. Since the campaign launched in April, about 120 portraits have been purchased, said Barry Rickman, past grand master in S.C.

“It’s just catching on,” said Rickman, who is an educator for the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Va. “I remember growing up and no matter what school or class, George Washington was always there above the teacher’s desk.”

Washington also was a Mason, said Rickman, who has been a Mason for 39 years having joined at age 24.

Sam Turner III of Spartanburg, chairman of the project committee, said through the years, those portraits aged or were dropped and broke.

“We saw a need to put him back where he belongs and it teaches kids about George Washington,” Turner said, “and it gets Masons out in the schools.”

The Clover donation includes one for every school in the district, including the two under construction.

“We just ask they be hung in prominent position such as an entryway so everyone coming in can see it,” Johnston said of the pictures that are about 2-by-3 feet.

The mission to fulfill the 1932 directive, made on the 200th birthday of the first U.S. president, also is a fundraiser.

“We’re taking funds from it and donating to juvenile diabetes,” Johnston said.

Each portrait costs $150 with $50 going to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Masons said, which focuses on curing Type 1 diabetes that affects 1.25 million Americans.

“And one is my son,” said Pressley Robinson, worshipful master.

Robinson said the lodge purchased two, with the other 10 purchased by individuals, some in honor or memory of Alpine Lodge members.

The project has extended into the community, too, Robinson said, with one hanging in the York County Sheriff’s Office and another at the Clover Police Department.

“It’s designed for schools but has grown beyond that,” Turner said.

Johnston said the first president stood for the same principles as the oldest fraternal organization in the world, valuing serving brother, community and country.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could get back to those principles today,” Johnston said.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 2:04 PM with the headline "Clover Masons put first president’s portrait back in schools."