Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

A few months ago I wrote a short piece about Freemasons on the Santa Fe Trail that mentioned Brother Christopher “Kit” Carson and a little about his Masonic Lodge membership and his home, which is now a Museum. Time and circumstances presented the recent opportunity to view the Kit Carson Home and Museum, Carson’s burial place, the current Bent Lodge No. 42, and the Bent Home and Museum, all in Taos, New Mexico. Governor Bent, the first Governor of New Mexico after the Mexican - American war, was murdered in a violent skirmish between rival factions in the newly made state. He was a Freemason and Bent Lodge No. 42 is named after him. The Kit Carson Home and Museum is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Entry is free to those Freemasons presenting a current dues card. The Grand Lodge of New Mexico assisted in the placement of a suitable re-burial place for Carson and his second wife. Attached hereto are several photos of the locations visited, all of which should be self explanatory.

A few miles down the Rio Grande River from Taos to Santa Fe is the Santa Fe Palace of Governors, built by the Spanish in 1610 and the longest continuously occupied public building in the United States. I noticed in it an oil painting of Brother Kit with a brief description under it that contained, among other things, the curious statement that Carson was “…admired by some, despised by many….” Given the turbulent nature of the time and circumstances surrounding Carson’s life, including the forced relocation of Indian tribes, the war with Mexico, and the Civil war (all of which he played a part in), further research into his life and experiences might reveal the basis for the statement. Carson’s life was not uncomplicated. Photos of the inside of the Palace of Governors are not allowed, resulting in the substituted inclusion of a photo of the outside front of the building in the attachments featuring local artisans in the shade of the front porch.