On September 18 1793 a momentous occasion unfolded here at the Capitol Stones. President George Washington himself laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol. This wasn’t just any ceremony. It was a grand Masonic ritual. A procession of Masons from Maryland and Virginia marched to the site. Music played drums beat and spectators rejoiced.
The Capitol Stones mark the beginning of a magnificent structure. Its construction a testament to American ambition and ingenuity. The cornerstone itself a symbol of the nation’s foundation. A silver plate was placed beneath it. The inscription detailed the date the year of American Independence and Washington’s presidency. It also noted the year of Masonry.
Interestingly a Quaker clockmaker and silversmith Caleb Bentley crafted the silver plate. He lived in Georgetown not far from where the commissioners met. The invitation to the cornerstone ceremony was specifically addressed to the Masonic fraternity. The ceremony itself was meticulously documented in The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette. This newspaper account remains the only known eyewitness record.
After the cornerstone was laid a massive 500-pound ox was barbecued. Attendees enjoyed a feast and festivities lasting into the night. This celebration mirrored the grand scale of the event itself. A painting of this ceremony even graces the Capitol’s House Wing. A panel on the Senate Bronze Doors also depicts the scene. Despite a 1991 search using a metal detector the engraved plate has never been found. Its location may lie beneath National Statuary Hall.
The Capitol Stones represent more than just a foundation stone. They symbolize the hopes dreams and aspirations of a new nation. A nation forged in revolution seeking to build a lasting legacy. The ceremony’s details offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. It showcases the blend of political and Masonic traditions that shaped early America. Standing here today you feel the weight of history. You sense the ambition and the spirit of those who laid the cornerstone. The Capitol Stones are a powerful reminder of the enduring foundations of American democracy.