The original charter for Jerusalem Lodge #49 was granted at the request of seven brothers on October 5, 1808 by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

While the "lodge" officially started then, the first meetings were held initially at a tavern and later at a member’s house. It wasn’t until Brother Isaac Olmstead sold the present lot to the lodge for $20 that construction began on a dedicated building. The first meeting in the hall was on December 15, 1817, at the same location as today’s building.

The lodge has a storied history, with many contributions to Ridgefield and many distinguished members. Of note, Brother Phineas C. Lounsbury became a Master Mason in 1883 and in 1887, he was elected Governor of the State of Connecticut.

On December 8, 1895, the Masonic Hall burned to the ground in the Great Fire of Ridgefield.  Less than a year later, the present building was constructed and meetings were held once again.

Today, as back then, the lodge members come from all walks of life, united by virtue, a desire for personal enrichment, and good-natured fellowship. Through its programs, the lodge seeks to educate it members in Masonic history, symbols, and traditions.

With its charitable efforts, Jerusalem Lodge has long supported local scholarships, child identification programs, and Masonicare, the state's leading provider of healthcare and retirement living communities for seniors.

Masons played a crucial role in the forming of the United States, and those founding principles live on today, at the same address on Main St. where Masons have gathered in Ridgefield for almost 200 years.