Dedicated on May 12, 1932, the memorial was build by contributions from Masonic Grand Lodges all across the United States. The building is maintained by a combined effort of the nation's Lodges, a rare collaboration, as lodges are run as independent units in each state.
The building sits atop Shuter's Hill which was named after a Union fort that once occupied the same location.
The Assembly Hall of the building will be acting as the Smithsonian in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets", the sequel to the movie "National Treasure".
