THOUSANDS OF 'VISITING HOSTS' WILL BE IN TOWN FOR SHRINE WEEK
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 27, 1923, The Evening Star reports "one week from today the churches of Washington will inaugurate Shrine Week by throwing open their doors to the visiting hosts."
As many as 30,000 visitors are in the National Capital with 300,000 expected before the week's end. The festivities will end with a mile-long choir singing 'America' on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Star says by that time "the Nation's Capital will virtually be owned by the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine*."
The city is decorated with the Shrine's colors, yellow-green-red and "the shrine hosts will pass in review by the President of the United States--a noble himself.**"
*Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a.k.a. Shriners International, an American Masonic society established in 1870. Headquarters are in Tampa, FL. By 1900, there were 55,000 members & 82 Temples.
**Warren G. Harding received his Entered Apprentice Degree at Lodge #70 in Marion, Ohio on June 28, 1901. He was blackballed on 1st petition because of a question about his heritage. WGH became a Master Mason in 1920.
SOURCES
"Shrine Thousands Begin To Assume Control Of City," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 27, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Warren G. Harding," www.fairfaxmasoniclodge556.com/
