Tracing Board, 1818 Jonas Prentiss (1777-1832) West Cambridge, Massachusetts Gift of Hiram Lodge, A.F. & A.M., Arlington, Massachusetts, 91.048

In joining Freemasonry, men sought to learn moral and spiritual lessons in the lodge and then to apply these lessons in everyday life. Members taught new initiates about Masonry through lectures accompanied by teaching aids, such as tracing boards depicting Masonic symbols, like this one. Masonic aprons were decorated with some of the same symbols illustrated on tracing boards, certificates and other objects associated with Freemasonry.