“The Lost Symbol,” author Dan Brown’s new, violent thriller, involves some strange findings at a Masonic temple near the White House. (Wine-filled skull and severed hand, anyone?) Brown capitalizes on ...

Chest Lid with Masonic Painting (1825–1845) (image courtesy American Folk Art Museum, gift of Kendra and Allan Daniel, all images courtesy the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the American Folk ...

Born out of the English and Scottish guild systems of the 13th century, the fraternal organization of Masons was designed to help stonemasons regulate the qualifications of guildsmen and find lodging ...

Until yesterday, we’d never noticed the small plaque on the corner of State and Nevins in Boerum Hill. Here’s what it says: On this block midway between Nevins and Bond Streets stood Fort Masonic.

The plot of Dan Brown's "Lost Symbol" was kept secret until its release. Sept. 15, 2009— -- This time, it's not a fanciful yarn about the holy father's deep dark secrets. Instead, the ...

TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. About the Archive This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online ...

They walk among us, even though we don’t see them. They are the protectors of the realm, the watchers on the wall, the swift hand of justice that reaches out when all hope is lost. They are the ...

The Masons have been the subject of world-takeover conspiracy theories, but for now they’ll only be taking over the former College of New Rochelle campus. The group, also called Freemasons, will buy ...