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Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia is the birthplace of Freemasonry in Canada. Despite some indication that a Masonic Lodge existed in Annapolis Royal in the years 1721-23, it is recognized that the first Masonic Lodge was established in 1738 by Major Erasmus James Phillipps. The meetings were held in a structure now known as the Sinclair Inn National Historic Site (Farmers Hotel in the archival photos in the video). Operated by the Annapolis Heritage Society, this building can still be visited today. A plaque located beside it was dedicated in 1938 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary.
In 1827, a stone bearing the date 1606 and the Masonic square and compasses was discovered on the shores of Annapolis Basin in Nova Scotia. Some Masonic students and historians have suggested that this stone is to be regarded as the earliest trace of the existence of Freemasons or Freemasonry on this continent. To commemorate the 275th Anniversary, a replica of this 1606 Masonic Stone was dedicated in Annapolis Royal next to Town Hall.