For 80 plus years prior to 1990, the Grand Lodge of Virginia held an annual ritual school at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. This school concentrated primarily on ritual and floor work. Between 1990 and 1994, the school met several times at Ferrum College south of Roanoke but during these years the attendance was very low. In 1994, MW Thomas Frederick May, Grand Master in 1994-95, established the Reid J. Simmons Masonic Ritual School at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. Again the school was primarily a ritual school, but was also a school where Masons could promote fellowship, and enjoy time with their families.

In 1999, MW George Harry Chapin recognized the need to educate the members of the craft on Masonic subjects and increased emphasis in this area. MW Chapin changed the name of the school to the Reid J. Simmons Academy of Masonic Leadership to more closely reflect the real mission of the school that he had assigned to the Committee on Masonic Education and the Committee on Work. The school has been expanded to help prepare the Officers of our Lodges to be better leaders. All of the ritual that has been historically offered will continue to be stressed by the Grand Lodge Committee on Work. Additionally, an aggressive educational curriculum has been developed by the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education and courses are now offered which are designed to give those Masons who are or soon will be serving their Lodges in positions of leadership the knowledge and understanding for this responsibility. The subjects are directed toward those items that will help prepare the junior officer to develop a better insight into many of the things needed to be an effective Worshipful Master.

The academy will be held this year from August 3rd through 6th, 2003 at the Fork Union Military Academy campus and is open to all Virginia Masons. In addition to providing a great opportunity to obtain a Warden's Certificate, Silver or Gold Card, or learn a lecture, catechism or floor work, every member of the Lodge who is planning on becoming an officer of the Lodge or who just wants to learn more about Masonry to become a better Mason should plan to attend this academy. Additional information may also be obtained from the registration form listed below.

Synopsis of Class Presentations

Registration Form

E-mail your questions

If you plan to attend, please register in advance by filling out the registration form and mail or FAX it to:

RW Wayne Howard "Andy" Anderson
3 Harris Road
Portsmouth, Virginia 23702-2215

Home Phone: 757-646-1438
FAX: 757 393-6956

Personal E-mail: Pursuivant97@cox.net

Summary of 2003 Session

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