​Tidal Wave 273

Date         Worshipful Master     (# Attendees)



4/7/1994     Wor. J.D. Poffenbarger Jr. (14)

7/19/1994   Wor. J.D. Poffenbarger Jr. (8)

2/4/1997     Wor. Daniel F. Hall (25)

12/2/1997   Wor. Daniel F. Hall (17)

​1/6/1998     RW. Philip K. Poffenbarger Jr. (18)

1/8/1998     RW. Philip K. Poffenbarger Jr. (12)

2/10/1998   RW. Philip K. Poffenbarger Jr. (13)

​12/14/2001 RW. Robert G. McBride (5)

12/2/2004   RW. Ray M. Soltis (15)

1/9/2007     Wor. P.J. Wylie (7)


Merged with Seaboard 56

Portsmouth Lodges


Portsmouth 100    Western Branch 189   Churchland 276


8/6/1996               1/31/2005                     3/4/1994

1/4/2005               2/12/2007                     8/2/1994

5/16/2005                                                  11/30/1994

2/19/2007                                                  3/13/1996

                                                                  12/4/2001

                                                                  1/8/2002

                                                                  3/19/2002

                                                                  8/17/2004

                                                                  10/4/2012

                                                                  1/15/2013

Records of Seaboard 56 & Related Lodges

Traveling Gavels

Suffolk Lodges


Suffolk 30     Nansemond 77     McAlister 185


12/6/1977       1/2/2002              1/8/1977

1/3/1978         3/5/2002              3/14/1978

                       4/1/2004              1/15/2002         

33rd District Traveling Gavel


In 2019, the 33rd and 34th Masonic Districts combined and became the 33rd Masonic District. At that time, the existing Traveling Gavels from those districts were retired and a "new" Traveling Gavel was created. It was created using the jewel from the District Deputy Grand Master for the 34th Masonic District. The last DDGM was RW Philip K Poffenbarger Jr. It traveled the newly combined district with RW David Lupton and came to rest with Portsmouth 100 where it remained until February 14, 2020 when Wor. Eric Fierst and 9 members of Seaboard 56 Took it home. 

Records of the now combined 33rd Masonic District

Most Visitors Present (Top 3)

Traveling Gavels were created to promote "traveling" and brotherhood among Masonic Lodges. Each has their own specific rules, but basically it requires a combination of the Worshipful Master, Line Officers, and Brethren of a visiting lodge to have the largest number of "visiting" Masons at the meeting. An Example is the a State Traveling Gavel created by Berkley Lodge No. 167. It requires a total of at least 5 visiting members of a lodge (Worshipful Master + 4) in order to obtain or qualify for it. If that lodge has at least the minimum and more than any other visiting lodge, they will leave with the Traveling Gavel, return it to their lodge and repeat the process. This page is dedicated to the highlight the records of a few of these Traveling Gavels. 

Date           Lodge                            # of Attendees


4/23/1974  Corrinthian 266               39

1/4/1996    Lake Drummand 178      38

4/4/1996    Lake Drummand 178      35

        

​Washington-Layfayette 176

Date         Worshipful Master     (# Attendees)


​6/7/1994     RW. Woodrow L. Brown (8)

1/5/1995     RW. Woodrow L. Brown (6)

8/9/2001     Wor. Edward L. Creecy (9)

3/4/2004     RW. Stormy Thorson (9)

2/6/2007     Wor. Phillip R. Hilton (8)


Merged with Seaboard 56

Berkley # 167 State Traveling Gavel


It first started or at least has a chronological record of lodges dating back to December 6, 1973. Click the "grey button" titled "Historical Record of Lodges" for a .pdf of those lodges between 12/6/1973 and 1/10/20.  Data below is best available information and through 1/10/2020.

Seaboard 56

Date         Worshipful Master   (# Attendees)


​7/11/1994 Wor. R.L. Lawrence (6)

6/4/1996   Wor. Thomas M. Huett III (7)

5/8/2007   Wor. J.D. Miller (9)

11/1/12     RW. Philip K. Poffenbarger Jr. (5) 

1/10/20     Wor. Eric J. Fierst (5)