2020 Annual Report of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This has been a year of many challenges and a few accomplishments. We are saddened to
report the loss of two of our Board Members. Brother Stephen Ponzillo and Brother Bo
Cline passed to the Celestial Lodge. These were honest, intelligent, upright, honorable men who
both held the Memorial close to their hearts. Their presence and participation is greatly missed.
The closing of the Memorial for the entire tourist season resulted in a loss of $447,143
in revenue. Our greatest challenge is funding the continued operation, restoration, and
conservation of the Memorial. Much has been accomplished to restore and conserve the
Memorial—however, there is still much to be done.
Restoration of the Memorial
An extensive study and inspection of the condition of the Memorial was completed in 2009.
The resulting Conditions Report, along with the original blueprints, became the basis and
the reference for the restoration and conservation of the Memorial. One of the largest
and most expensive projects was the complete restoration and conservation of the United
States Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony mural in Memorial Hall. The painting was damaged
from two sources: the penetration of water from the windows located above the mural and
the 2011 earthquake. The mural was removed, the interior wall behind it demolished and
completely rebuilt, and the mural reinstalled in 2018. This year we completed the installation
of new bronze-framed, amber glass windows in Memorial Hall. We referred to and used the
original blueprints as the basis for the design, manufacture, and installation of the windows.
Memorial Hall now glows with a golden light, just as the original design called for. Due to
the lack of funding this year, we did not do restoration work on the exterior stone work of
the Memorial. However, the Memorial tower, from the third level to the top of the pyramid,
has been totally restored and conserved. The clean, gleaming granite reflects and radiates
light as it was meant to do, to spread the Light of Freemasonry to the world. We must,
as individuals and as an organization, do our best to support, sustain, and perpetuate the
Memorial and its mission.
George D. Seghers
Opposite: The String
Quartet of Northern
Virginia performs at the 2020
Washington’s Birthday Gala.
Annual George Washington Birthday Celebration
The Annual George Washington Birthday Celebration was an outstanding success. Once
again the event was sold out and a good time was had by all attendees. The event began with
The George Washington Symposium in the Theater. The theme was George Washington’s
Construction of the United States Capitol. Presenters were: Samuel Holliday who spoke on
“George Washington and the City that Bears His Name,” and Michele Cohen who presented
“George Washington’s Capitol.” S. Brent Morris, recipient of the 2020 George Washington
Memorial Award, gave the final presentation, “Precursors of and Influences on the 1793 U.S.
Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony.” The evening festivities began with receptions for Members
of the George Washington Memorial Society and the Birthday Celebration attendees. The
attendees then enjoyed a performance by The String Quartet of Northern Virginia with
quest soloist Aurelio Domínguez. The Gala Banquet followed in Grand Masonic Hall with
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