Welcome to Mountain Lodge

Chartered in 1806, Mountain Lodge has been a gathering place for generations of Pioneer Valley residents. As a multigenerational society of men in the Shelburne Falls area, we serve as the local branch of Freemasonry—the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization. While our traditional roots run deep, our focus is entirely on helping our modern community, developing real connections, and striving to live up to our full potential.

We are united in a shared pursuit of improving ourselves and, by extension, the world around us. To achieve this, we are building a deliberate container in which a man of strong character may improve his moral and spiritual outlook, broaden his mental horizons, and cultivate deep, lasting relationships with men of diverse backgrounds.

We pursue this work by providing:

  • A foundation of mutual trust, brotherly love and respect

  • A warm, welcoming and positive lodge culture

  • Gatherings free of partisan political discussions

  • An ancient initiatory path which employs impressive ritualistic work and contemplative practice

  • A mentorship program for our new brothers

  • Philosophical discussions and educational programming

  • An aesthetically pleasing temple building in the heart of Shelburne Falls

  • A vetting process which admits only men of high moral standards

  • A spirit of good will toward all mankind, which inspires our members to be of service to their community

  • Leadership opportunities and training

  • Efficient lodge administration

What is Freemasonry, Really?

  • Nope! That’s one of the biggest myths out there. Traditional rules actually say we aren't allowed to aggressively recruit you—you have to raise your hand first. If you're a good person looking for community and personal growth, you just have to ask.

  • We run local civic programs, manage our historic building hall as an accessible neighborhood space, support local food and senior initiatives, and host open discussions. Think of it as a gym membership for your character, mind, and civic duty.

  • Not at all. Our building has a clear sign right on Main Street, our members are proud of their affiliation, and our community works are completely public. We have a few traditional ceremonies and symbols that date back centuries, which we keep private simply as a nod to our historic roots—but there are no global conspiracies here.

The Meaning Behind the Icons

You’ve likely seen these symbols around town or carved into historic brickwork. To ancient stone masons, the square and the compass were essential everyday tools used to build straight lines and sound structures. Today, we use them purely as symbols for self-improvement: a reminder to act with absolute integrity, square our actions with our values, and keep our focus centered on helping others.

Where to Find Us

Mountain Lodge is located right in the heart of town at 7 Main Street, Shelburne Falls, MA. While our monthly meetings and internal gatherings are kept private to honor our traditional roots, our public community discussions and events are entirely open to the neighborhood.