Washington lays the Capitol cornerstone
- When
- September 18, 1793
- Where
- Site of the United States Capitol in the new Federal City on the Potomac River
President Washington, with eight fellow Freemasons in regalia, laid the Capitol's cornerstone, made by silversmith Caleb Bentley, on September 18, 1793.
On September 18, 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol. He was accompanied by eight other Freemasons dressed in masonic regalia, reflecting the ceremonial character of the occasion. The cornerstone itself had been made by silversmith Caleb Bentley. The ceremony occurred at the site of the new Federal City on the Potomac River, where the Capitol would rise as the meeting place of Congress.
Sources
- United States Capitol Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29
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