John F. Hartranft and the Influence of Faith and Freemasonry

Few historical biographies even mention Governor J. F. Hartranft’s faith or the fact that he was a Freemason. Now, through the discovery of old documents in a local masonic lodge, we know that he was not only a Master Mason but a “Most Excellent High Priest” and a Knights Templar. Speaker, Craig Bird explores Hartranft’s views of religious freedom and tolerance, charity, and education, which he found consistent with Freemasonry, and introduces the concepts of symbolism in both.