Prince Hall Masons Secure Historic D.C. U Street Landmark

In a significant win for cultural preservation, the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Eastern Stars of the District of Columbia have successfully retained the tax-exempt status for their historic temple on the U Street corridor. This landmark decision safeguards a vital piece of Black history and community in a neighborhood profoundly affected by gentrification.

A Victory for U Street’s Black Heritage

The D.C. Council recently approved the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF) to maintain its crucial tax exemption. This move ensures the continued presence of the iconic Prince Hall Masonic Temple, located at 10th and U Street, a site deeply embedded in Washington D.C.’s Black cultural fabric.

Why the Exemption Was at Risk

The temple’s tax-exempt status came under threat following a name change in 2022. Marquis McCants, president and CEO of Prince Hall, highlighted that the exemption was lost during the name change from the former Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation to the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF). Thanks to support from D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), the reapplication process, initiated in 2024, culminated in its successful reintroduction and approval this year.

U Street: A Legacy Under Pressure

The U Street corridor holds immense historical significance as a vibrant hub of Black business, arts, and culture. Decades ago, it boasted over 200 Black-owned businesses, serving as a self-sustaining community lifeline. However, recent years have seen extensive gentrification reshape the neighborhood, leading to the displacement of long-time Black residents and the erosion of its rich cultural identity. This ongoing challenge makes the preservation of sites like the Prince Hall Masonic Temple even more critical.

The Prince Hall Masonic Temple’s Deep Roots

Established in 1825 by enslaved and free Black people, the Prince Hall Masonic Temple quickly became the primary meeting place for the nation’s first and largest Black fraternity. The U Street lot was acquired, and the temple built in 1929, transforming into a bustling community center. Historically, it hosted a restaurant, a bowling alley, a ballroom, and rented office space to Black businesses, serving as a vital economic and social hub. As Glenn Ruffin, Most Worshipful Grand Master, states, “the U Street Building has a historic value to Black people,” representing a crucial link to a pivotal past beyond just its architectural presence.

FAQs About the Prince Hall Masonic Temple

• What is the Prince Hall Masonic Temple?
  It’s a historic building on D.C.’s U Street, serving as the meeting place for the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, the nation’s first and largest Black fraternity, founded in 1825.
• Why was its tax-exempt status at risk?
  The organization underwent a name change in 2022, requiring a reapplication for its charitable foundation’s tax-exempt status, which was then successfully approved by the D.C. Council.
• What is the significance of U Street to Black history?
  U Street was historically a flourishing hub for Black businesses, arts, and culture, once home to over 200 Black-owned establishments, making it a self-sustaining Black community.
• How does gentrification impact U Street?
  Significant gentrification over the past decade has led to the displacement of Black residents and the erasure of historical cultural elements, making the preservation of landmarks like the temple crucial.
• What was the temple used for historically?
  Beyond its fraternal functions, the building was a vibrant community hub, featuring a restaurant, a bowling alley, a ballroom, and offering office space to Black-owned businesses.

The successful retention of the Prince Hall Masonic Temple’s tax-exempt status offers a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that collective action and local advocacy can preserve invaluable cultural landmarks against the tide of gentrification in Washington D.C.’s historic neighborhoods.

Prince Hall Masons preserve historic DC U Street tax exemption