New Historical Marker for the
First Masonic Hall
Marker Text
FIRST MASONIC HALL
Wilkins Tannehill, who greeted the Marquis de Lafayette here in 1825, laid the cornerstone of this Classical Revival building. It served as the Tennessee State Capitol from 1827-29 during the administration of Gov. Sam Houston and as the meeting place of Christ Church Episcopal until the completion of its building. In 1856 the building burned and was replaced by a second Masonic Hall on the same site, which was used as a hospital for U.S. troops during the Civil War.
SPONSORED BY CORINTHIAN LODGE NO. 8, F.&A.M
THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY
No. 286 ERECTED 2024
Note: The text “ERECTED 2024” is an indication of how long the marker’s production and approval process ran.
Location
The marker can be found on Church Street between 5th and 4th Avenues, as shown on the map below:
This is the 286th historical site marker place by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.
A full list of marker locations and text is available at: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/historic-preservation/programs/historical-markers/historic-sites
Unveiling Ceremony
March 14, 2026
Remarks from the Worshipful Master of Corinthian Lodge No. 8 F&AM
On June 24 of this year, two hundred and eight years will have passed since my predecessor, Wilkins Tannehill, Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 8 stood at this site and laid the corner stone of a building that would be the first Masonic Hall in the State of Tennessee. As you can tell…it ain’t here no more. But it was, and that’s important.
As early as 1814, the members of Cumberland Lodge were trying to construct their own building. Prior to this building, they rented an upstairs room “on Market Street near the Public Square”. Market Street was what today is known as 2nd Avenue. The Brethren of the Lodge raised $1,625 through subscriptions to purchase this very lot. While we don’t know the final cost of the building, we know that like Solomon’s Temple it was about seven years until it was finally completed—in time for the visit of General Lafayette in 1825. That was only one event in this building’s history, and we couldn’t fit but a few on the marker—so we hope this will be a breadcrumb that will inspire the curious lover of history to learn more about what happened right here.
Now you all have places you need to be and I’m no different, but before we depart, I want to draw special attention to the first man mentioned on this marker: Wilkins Tannehill. He was Mayor of this City, he was a seven-time Grand Master of Masons, he was a major proponent of public education and an outspoken critic of slavery, yet there isn’t a school, a street, or even a scholarship that bears his name. But now a historical marker does—and that’s a start.
I want to thank Bryan Gilley and the Historical Commission for their partnership in erecting this marker, I also want to thank the Brethren of Corinthian Lodge No. 8 for supporting its cost. Our history is Nashville’s history.
Remarks from Bryan Gilley,
Past Master of Beech Lodge No. 240
The Tennessee State historical marker for the First Masonic Hall had been listed as missing for several years. It was attached to the wall of the building at Arcade Alley and Church Street.
A member of Beech Lodge found the marker and brought it in to his lodge where Bryan Gilley with the Metro Historical Commission and a Past Master of Beech Lodge decided to try to get it placed back on the wall. Due to policy changes the marker was unable to be reattached to the building and that led to the pursuit of a new historical marker that could be placed on a post on Church Street in front of the building’s location on the other side of Arcade Alley.
The Tennessee Historical Commission does not include pictures or drawings on their historical markers so it was decided a Metro Historical marker would be best so that a drawing of the building could be included on the sign.
When the new marker arrived the drawing of the building was incorrect, and had to be remade, extending the long process several more months. The old marker was discovered in February 2024, and the new marker sponsored by Corinthian Lodge was dedicated on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Old Marker
A Tennessee Historical Commission marker was previously installed, steps away from the new Metro Historical Commission marker. It is no longer on display.
Marker Text
3A 186
FIRST MASONIC HALL
Across the alley stood the first Masonic Hall in the state, designed by architect Hugh Roland in 1818. Marquis de la Fayette was entertained there in 1825 by Past Grand Master Andrew Jackson. The 17th General Assembly of Tennessee met there in 1827. The structure ,much used as a civic center, burned in 1856. The rebuilt hall was used as a hospital supply store by Federal troops during the Civil War.
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION