Edward Jenner Heritage Trail - Location 5
Masonic Meeting Rooms, Rear of White Hart Court, 6 & 8 High Street
It was above the premises now known as Tomato Jacks in White Hart Court that Edward Jenner served as "Worshipful Master of the Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship No. 270" in 1812 (Harrison 2010). This Lodge was visited regularly by the Prince of Wales who later became King George IV.
Tomato Jacks Art studio, the location of the Masonic Meeting Rooms.
Image by The Jenner Project 2022 | 23.
The Lodge moved to its current meeting room at the Berkeley Arms 150 years ago. This was where a "Science Select Lodge" was held, organised by Jenner, where lodge members had to produce a paper on a specific scientific subject; this Science Select Lodge was reminiscent of the Lunar Society meetings’ (Harrison 2010). Here intellectuals and ordinary men would meet to discuss how science and technology could be made to serve the good of all resulting in such inventions as the condensing and rotary steam engine.
The Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship continued to celebrate the life and work of Edward Jenner after his death in 1823. The Lodge emblem, used to this day, commemorates the gift to Jenner of a Wampum belt by the Five Nations of North America after Jenner personally sent them a sample of the cowpox virus along with a copy of his work on vaccination. Jenner wore this belt over the front of his apron at the last Masonic meeting he attended (Harrison 2010).
It is rumoured that the small windowpane in the black door was originally a peep hole which would be opened to verify that any visitor was a Member of the Lodge.
Return to the High Street and turn right. Walk downhill to number 42 High Street which is on the right. You can click the QR code on the Plaque or click here for information on Location 6.
The Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship continued to celebrate the life and work of Edward Jenner after his death in 1823. The Lodge emblem, used to this day, commemorates the gift to Jenner of a Wampum belt by the Five Nations of North America after Jenner personally sent them a sample of the cowpox virus along with a copy of his work on vaccination. Jenner wore this belt over the front of his apron at the last Masonic meeting he attended (Harrison 2010).
It is rumoured that the small windowpane in the black door was originally a peep hole which would be opened to verify that any visitor was a Member of the Lodge.
Return to the High Street and turn right. Walk downhill to number 42 High Street which is on the right. You can click the QR code on the Plaque or click here for information on Location 6.
