I received this inquiry via the New York History Net and was hoping someone might be able to help this fellow.

My name is Alan Schneider. I am the current Master (elected head official) of
Harmony Masonic Lodge #241 located in Whitestone, Queens. Harmony Lodge is a
consolidated group of Masonic Lodges that trace it's roots back to Oscar Coles
Lodge #241, that originally met o Dec. 24th , 1851, in Manhattan, at the
intersections of Broome and Crosby Streets. 3 years from now we will be
celebrating our 150th anniversary, and I am interesting in finding the exact
address but have had no luck from our own Grand Lodge. I have been searching
historical groups and individuals in the hopes that someone might have
specific information on the SOHO area of NYC in 1851, or be able to give me
some helpful hints as to what direction to take to achieve this seemingly
endless task


I replied:
I would approach this question by looking at a Manhattan city directory from
1851 to see what businesses were at the corner of Broome and Crosby in that
year and also look to see what detailed maps (perhaps fire insurance maps)
on or about 1851 are available. Often commercial buildings in the 19th
Century had a meeting hall on the top-most floor which could be used by a
variety of purposes. When the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, which was
created in 1973, there must have been an historical survey of the buildings
extent at that time. These architectural surveys often have extensive
bibliographies which might point you in the right direction. The SoHo
Historic District Roughly bounded by W. Broadway, Houston, Crosby, and Canal
Sts. The NY Public Library ought to be able to help you with finding these.
I might also look to newspapers of the time to see if there was any notice
of the new Lodge.

 Can anyone else help this fellow?

You may reply to me at [log in to unmask]

Edward Knoblauch