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TheTall Cedars of Lebanon International is aside degree ofFreemasonry in certain Grand Jurisdictions, open toMaster Masons in good standing in a regularMasonic Lodge. Its motto, "Fun, Frolic, & Fellowship," is indicative of this social bent. Its members are distinguished by the pyramid-shaped hats they wear at their functions. The name is derived from thecedars of Lebanon thatKing Solomon used to build hisTemple.[1]
The origin of thedegree originated before the establishment of the formal organization. Some historians trace it as far back as the 1840s. The awarding of the degree apparently involved a deal ofroughhousing. This degree was conferred on Master Masons after their Blue Lodge meeting closed. This degree was conferred by traveling Masons throughout the East Coast. This original group of Tall Cedars, called their degree the "Ancient and honorable right of humility". The Ancient Order of Tall Cedars continued until 1902. TheTall Cedars of Lebanon of the North America was founded in 1902 inTrenton,New Jersey. Glassboro Forest #1 was the first charted forest. The organization adopted its present official name in 2023 now known as Tall Cedars of Lebanon International. The organization now has forest in Mexico, El Salvador and Brazil.
Cedars meet in groups called "Forests," each headed by a Grand Tall Cedar. These forests most often meet at the local Masonic hall. The Tall Cedars claim 6,300 members, mostly in the eastern United States. Its center of activity was, and is the states ofNew Jersey andPennsylvania; the Tall Cedars' national governing body, The Supreme Forest, is headquartered inHarrisburg, Pennsylvania. The current Supreme Tall Cedar — the TCL's highest-ranking officer — is Michael Youse.[2]
There are two further side degrees with the group - the Royal Court and theSidonian. There is also amarching band called the Royal Rangers.[3]
The Tall Cedar Foundation exists as the body's charitable arm, supporting research intomuscular dystrophy and otherneuromuscular diseases.[3] In 1951 it became the first organization to join with theMuscular Dystrophy Association in sponsorship. The Tall Cedars redirected their efforts in 2023 to supporting children and families afflicted with neuromuscular diseases or muscular dystrophy at a local level.
