Duquesne Commandery Inkwell

1906 Duquesne Commandery No. 72

Knight Templar Inkwell

Side View Back View

This beautiful inkwell is a replica of the Fort Pitt Block House - a small defensive redoubt that served Fort Pitt, a British installation located at Pittsburgh between 1759-1792. Fort Duquesne was the French fort that was destroyed in 1758. The Block House was ordered constructed by Col. Henry Bouquet in 1764. "Bouquet" , while sounding French was actually Swiss and fought for the British during the French and Indian War. He was commander at Fort Pitt at the close of that war. Isaac Craig was the first occupant of the building after the fort was sold in 1785 and the Block House became a residence. He was the last commander of Fort Pitt and also a charter member of Masonic Lodge 45 which was formed in 1786. The Block House is the only structure that remains of Fort Pitt and is now open as a museum.

The Fort Pitt Block House is owned and Administered by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and has been since 1894. The building is open and free to the public year-round, Wednesday-Sunday 10 till 5.

The above inkwell is one of the most rare and difficult of Masonic collectibles to find. This piece is in three colors with a black shingled roof, red brick and gray stones on the sides. The bottom says "Block House A.D. 1764" "Colles Bouquel Pittsburgh, Pa" The lettering on the roof is trimmed in gold. It measures 3 inches tall, 2 1/2 inches wide and 3 3/8 inches deep. There is a paper label on the bottom that says Westmoreland Specialty Co. Grapeville Pa.

A special "Thanks" to Kelly Linn, the curator of the Fort Pitt Block House for supplying the above historical information for this webpage.

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