The United States Masons approved the first black member Mason Lodge in 1871, in New Jersey.
Just after the civil war, several now freed black men petitioned to obtain membership of a Mason Lodge in New Jersey. While the group allowed them membership, they still felt the racial tension. It seemed like the black members would not obtain higher positions due to their skin color.
A few years later, this group of black men and a few white supporters petitioned to create their own lodge. After some debate, the committee approved the petition and they created the new lodge. Unfortunately, prejudices made the running of this lodge difficult and after a few months, they had to close. Finally the next year in 1872, with the charter restored, they reopened the lodge.
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