How old is Masonry?
The question is not answerable unless Masonry be defined. Some form of organization of builders, according to the oldest Masonic document, the Regius poem, existed as early as A.D. 926. Freemasonry, as distinguished from any other organization of practical builders, probably began among the Cathedral builders of the middle agestenth or eleventh century. The first Grand Lodge came into existence in 1717. Freemasonry in the United States dates definitely from 1730 and probably earlier.
