Photo Taken by Mary E. Sherman about 1900
NOTES ON THE BUILDING OF THE RUFUS PUTNAM BUILDING
The building was constructed jointly by the Sutton Center School District and the Olive Branch Lodge to serve both as the Center School and, on the second floor, as a Masonic Lodge Hall.
At the April 14, AL 5823 (1823) meeting of the Lodge, it was “Voted to build a Hall with the Center School District in Sutton if we can build on equitable terms and choose a committee of five to consult with a committee from said district...”
At the subsequent meeting on April 22, AL 5823 (1823). It was “Voted to choose a committee of three to go forward and build a Hall in company with the Center School District and have power to expend the funds of the Lodge for the same (said building is not to be more than forty feet long and twenty six or seven feet wide) and made choice of Bros. Jonas L. Sibley, Dan’l Tenney and Simeon Woodbury for their committee.”
Further, at the meeting of September 29, AL 583 (1823) it was “Voted to add Bro. Nehemiah Chase to the committee which was chosen to build a Hall and directed the committee to go forward and finish the Hall with Blinds seats Stove and as they think most proper and the Lodge will hold themselves as a Lodge accountable for the expense.”
The first meeting of Live Branch Lodge in the building was held on Thursday, January 21, AL 5824 (1824). The minutes contain the following:
“Choose Bros. Roberts, Barton and Chase a Committee to invite Rev. E(dmund) Mills to come into the Hall and Make a prayer which he did in presents (sic) of the Fraternity and other Inhabitants of the neighborhood.”
A copy of a page in the Lodge records dated January 3, AL 5824 (1824) (and appended to the meeting minutes of January 1) itemizing the costs for construction. The total being $714.92
Olive Branch Lodge met continuously in the building until March 17, 1845, after which the Lodge relocated to larger quarters in Wilkinsonville and, subsequently, to Millbury. The Lodge sold its interests in the building to the Center School District in January 1851 for $176.62.
Presented to the Sutton Historical Society by the members of Olive Branch Lodge March 2006.
January 1, 1824