“found square, level and plumb, true and trusty” – Albany NY Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin

Today, the Albany NY Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers when Masons laid the cornerstone of the city’s new capitol building in a ceremony amid the rain 145 years ago.

From the Tourist’s Guide Through the Empire State by S. S. Colt, published in 1871:

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The Corner Stone of the new Capitol was laid on Saturday, June 24, 1871 — a day long to be remembered for its imposing ceremonies and its pitiless rain.

Arrangements had been made to present an unequaled and brilliant display on this occasion.

Late on the preceding Friday evening, the spirits of those having charge of the ceremonies were depressed by a bulletin from Professor Hough, of Dudley Observatory, predicting a severe storm on Saturday. But the stars were shining brightly — not a cloud could be seen.

The Professor’s opinions had always been considered reliable and correct; but, for this once, the anxious managers of the grand entertainment doubted the Professor’s judgment. How could it possibly rain Saturday, when at midnight Friday it was as clear and pleasant as could be desired?

It was, therefore, decided that the Professor was wrong. That he was not in error, can be attested now by thousands who were drenched upon the grand occasion.

During Friday night, and the early hours Saturday morning, thousands of strangers arrived in Albany from every section, and there were more Masons in the city than had ever been congregated together in this State.

Had the weather been pleasant, there would have been not less than six thousand members of the ancient fraternity in line, and the procession would have been at least five miles long.

As it was, in the drenching, soaking storm, the procession was certainly extraordinary. The military escort was in the highest degree creditable to officers and men, who, at the close of the march, were as thoroughly wet as if they had been in the river.

General Woodhall and his guests, Major-General Carr and staff, rode at the head of the column, with an appearance of entire unconcern as to the weather.

In fact, the General commanding marched the column over the entire route laid out by him, and added a little to it, to satisfy the people that he and his guests and his men didn’t care for the rain.

As they were soaked before they had been in the line ten minutes, this did not matter much.

The Burgesses and Jackson Corps were out in full strength.

The Knights Templar were excused from parade, and thus the procession was deprived of what would have been, under the circumstances, its most attractive feature.

Probably not one-tenth of the Masons in the city appeared in line, and yet their numbers astonished our citizens and the many strangers who thronged the principal streets.

When the procession passed up State street, the scene presented was exceedingly novel.

The entire street seemed to be covered with umbrellas, and as those carrying them were pretty well covered up, scarcely a head could be seen.

At the Capitol, the ceremony of formally laying the Corner Stone was conducted according to the following Order of Proceedings:

I. Music by Sullivan’s Band.

II. Introductory Address by Hamilton Harris, Chairman of the Board of New Capitol Commissioners.

III. Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Halley.

IV. Reading by William A. Rice, Secretary of the Board, a list of historical documents and memorials to be placed in the Corner Stone

V. Address by His Excellency John T. Hoffman, Governor of the State.

VI. Depositing of the Box containing the articles for preservation in the Corner Stone, by the Governor.

VII. Music by the Band.

VIII. The Ceremonies of laying the Corner Stone by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of New York, M. W. John H. Anthon, Grand Master.

IX. Benediction.

The historical documents, newspapers, coins and et cetera, usually deposited upon similar occasions, were enclosed in a metallic Box, and deposited in the Corner Stone.

Governor Hoffman’s speech, which followed this ceremony, was brilliant and interesting. It was a speech worthy of the occasion and the Governor of the Empire State.

At the close of the Governor’s address, the Corner Stone of the new Capital was “found square, level and plumb, true and trusty, and was laid according to the old customs by the Grand Master of Masons.”

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The Albany NY Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an image of the model of the new capitol, circa 1870s.

Albany NY Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin