Courtesy photo Michigan Freemasons gather on the steps of the capitol in Lansing on June 24, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Masons from across the state, including northern Michigan lodges, received a formal legislative tribute during the bicentennial events.

LANSING – Michigan Freemasons marked the 200th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Michigan with ceremonies at the Capitol in Lansing and a bicentennial gala on June 24, drawing brothers from across the state — including from Northeast Michigan lodges.

Brian Heldt of Atlanta Lodge 516 traveled to Lansing with fellow Masons from area lodges for the occasion and witnessed the formal recognition firsthand.

“We went down to Lansing, and we met Cam Cavitt, and he allowed us to sit in the house for the presentation of the plaque recognizing the 200th anniversary from the State of Michigan,” Heldt said.

Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, represents Northeast Michigan’s 106th District in Lansing.

The event celebrated the founding of the Grand Lodge on June 24, 1826, in Detroit. With more than 250 lodges statewide, the bicentennial highlighted two centuries of history, evolution and community impact.

Heldt, who also has ties to activities supporting Alpena, reflected on the fraternity’s journey.

“It evolved quite a bit. We were never a service organization, but we have turned into one in the last 15 to 20 years it seems like,” Heldt said.

At its core, Freemasonry focuses on personal growth.

“Freemasonry is about making a man a better man. That sums it up in a nutshell,” Heldt explained. “You never stop learning as a Freemason.”

The organization traces its American roots to the founding fathers, Heldt said.

“It goes back. I mean George Washington was one of the first Masons in the country, as well as Benjamin Franklin,” he said.

A common misconception is secrecy.

“Even though everyone thinks it’s a secret, it’s not a secret. I suppose the secret is I have a book, and you don’t, and I have mine memorized,” Heldt added with a chuckle. “When you become a Mason you become a brother, and you have brothers around the world regardless of your religion or where you live,”

Locally, lodges like Atlanta 516 and Alpena-Hopper No. 199 have deep community roots. In Alpena, prominent Mason and industrialist Jesse Besser, inventor of the Besser block machine and philanthropist, exemplified the impact. Besser, who belonged to the local lodge, built the Alpena Civic Center and contributed significantly to the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, among other gifts.

“The lodge used to have individualized community service, because a lot of leaders belonged to the lodge, including Jesse Besser who built the civic center for the lodge,” Heldt noted. “The challenge these days is getting people to the lodge. Everyone seems distracted.”

Modern efforts focus on hands-on giving. Atlanta Lodge hosts soup and pie suppers every second Friday in Atlanta and every third Friday in Alpena. For $7, attendees enjoy all-you-can-eat meals, with proceeds supporting community causes and lodge utilities.

The lodges have also given coats to children at Hinks and Lincoln elementary schools in Alpena.

“Everything we do for the community or for the lodge is for the betterment of the group. That’s probably why it has survived as long as it has,” Heldt said.

Heldt hopes the bicentennial inspires renewed involvement. “For the future I hope to see more brothers getting involved in the community.” He emphasized openness to younger generations and stronger community partnerships.

Heldt wants people to know more about the Masons and what are about and what they do.

“We are here for the communities we represent and hopefully they are there for us. We are willing to help our communities with everything, within reason.'”

The June 24 events in Lansing included a legislative tribute, invocation by Grand Chaplain Emeritus Pastor Pat Thompson, and promotion of the documentary “A Light on the Lakes,” which chronicles Michigan Masonry’s influence.

Statewide, the anniversary underscores Freemasonry’s shift toward visible service while preserving its foundational values of brotherhood, moral improvement and lifelong learning. In rural areas like Alpena and Atlanta, where lodges serve as community anchors, that legacy remains vital amid modern distractions.

Heldt and fellow Masons view the milestone not as an endpoint but a call to action. As Michigan’s more than 250 lodges look ahead, the focus remains on building better men and stronger communities – one brother, one supper and one act of service at a time.