Concept & Creation
In 2022 Collins Lodge No.19 & Fidelity Lodge No.192 in Fort Collins began working together to strengthen Freemasonry in Northern Colorado. Through these interactions the members agreed to consolidate and come together as Fidelity Lodge No.19 A.F.&A.M. In 2023 the Grand Lodge of Colorado A.F.&A.M. issued a Charter, which returned Fort Collins Freemasonry to the 1870 dispensation title Fidelity. Like many elements of the Craft, the conclusion of one chapter brought about the beginning of another as Ian D. Greenwood became the first Master of Fidelity Lodge No.19.
Brother Greenwood set out to bring the lodges together in their labors, traditions, and symbols. Part of this process necessitated creating a new logo to identify the Lodge and a new banner for the Lodge. In the process of designing a hybrid logo he endeavored to create a unified set of Masonic symbols that could represent the Craft beyond the tiled recesses of the Lodge. Brother Greenwood’s Scottish heritage and an appreciation for Masonic celebrations like Robert Burn’s Night became the inspiration for designing a tartan. In the process of working to create a design that visually communicated core symbols of Freemasonry, he discovered that Blue Lodge Freemasonry did not have a publicly accessible tartan that was actually Blue.
Although there are many tartans for specific Grand Lodges or Lodges, Brother Greenwood believed in the idea of a tartan that any Mason could wear to publicly communicate their membership in Freemasonry. As the project took shape, positive feedback from fellow Masons on the concept, symbols, and design grew. Fidelity Lodge No.19 elected to contact industry leaders in garment production USA Kilts to contract the manufacturing of the tartan from the House of Edgar Mill in Perth, Scotland. The design was finalized on 𝝅 day (Pi day, 03/14/2023), registered by The Scottish Register of Tartans on May 9th, 2023, and received a U.S. Copyright (pending).
As the project grew and the production of the first materials came to fruition, Fidelity Tartan was established to inform and communicate with fellow Freemasons. The goal is to share the design with people across the globe, be accessible to the Craft, and expand into the public sphere. It is rare that new designs are proposed to the Craft of Freemasonry and unique when their design has an informed Masonic origin. Brother Greenwood hopes to contribute this design to all Freemasons with the intention of building fraternal bonds, sharing our symbols, and promoting the Craft. Fidelity Tartan is pursuing constructive outlets to share this tartan for philanthropic endeavors so the charity of Freemasonry can contribute to relief, support, and revitalization.
Fidelity Tartan is working to expand the use of the tartan and encourages Freemasons to wear the design as they see fit. The tartan can be utilized in Lodge or for promotional endeavors as a means of expanding our Masonic connections. If you have ideas for how to utilize the tartan please contact us. Fidelity Tartan is building available resources of digital materials that can be used by Blue Lodge Freemasons. If you have product, charity, or application ideas for the design we request that you contact us to receive information or authorization at our Project Contact page.
