In the new U.S. territory of Florida, created in 1821, members of the Masonic order soon established lodges in their communities, and Washington Lodge No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons, created in 1828, was among the first in Florida. A Masonic building constructed in 1832 served both the lodge and the community as a meeting place until a storm destroyed it in 1851. Construction of a new brick building began the next year and was completed by 1854. It was erected by Charles Waller, a Gadsden County builder-designer who constructed several other brick buildings in the Quincy area. For over half a century, the Washington Lodge hall was the scene of community activities. Although alterations, including the addition of an exterior coat of stucco, changed the building's appearance, it retains much of its original character. In 1922, the Masons acquired new quarters, and the old lodge building became the property of the Quincy Woman's Club. Under its auspices, the Old Washington Lodge continued to serve the cultural needs of Quincy, and in 1975 the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places.