Mere Freemasonry

A time capsule laid in the cornerstone of the Boston State House in 1795 has been unearthed.  This particular time capsule is notable as it was laid by Governor Samuel Adams, Grand Master of Massachusetts (and Knight Templar) Paul Revere, and William Scollay who was not only author Herman Melville’s grandfather, but also a Freemason appointed by Paul Revere as his deputy.

From the Smithsonian:

Back on July 4, 1795, none other than midnight-rider Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who was then Massachusetts’ governor, laid a time capsule in the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The event was a big to-do. Fifteen white horses (one for each state of the union) pulled the brass box to the ceremony, where a 15-gun salute accompanied its entombment within a cornerstone by Revere, Adams and fellow revolutionary William Scollay.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Say, Brother, could you spare $6,000,000?

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

For sale: Massive, 185-foot-tall limestone and granite landmark that opened in 1926. Bronze front doors. Marble lobby. Unfinished 2,200-seat theater. Lightly used. Price: $6 million or best offer.

Such could be a classified ad for the Masonic Temple at 3681 Lindell Boulevard. Masons, who meet at the huge edifice only about 10 times per month, plan to move to a smaller building.

Officially, the temple hits the market Monday.

Eames and Young, a famed St. Louis firm, designed the temple with architect Albert Groves. The building’s exterior is Greek Ionic style. The structure’s architectural setbacks symbolize Masonry’s three basic steps: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. Read more »

Samantha Clark from the Oakland Tribune is reporting in the Contra Costa Times that Oakland’s historic Scottish Rite Center is undergoing an extensive renovation.  From the article:

The Scottish Rite Center that overlooks Lake Merritt is undergoing a $1.2 million renovation to return the lodge to its original glory.

For 60 days, the building will close so workers can replace the roof, install LED lighting and sound systems and make the building handicap accessible. The grand dome theater will get a fresh coat of paint and 24-karat leafing on its details.

Read more »

From The Detroit News:

The Masons have won their legal battle over who owns Detroit’s Masonic Temple, the largest building of its kind.

“We won! All counts related to any claims of ownership of the Masonic is over. It it is clearly owned by the Masons,” said Bradley Dizik, special adviser to the Masonic Temple’s board of trustees.

Dizik was referring to a Tuesday ruling by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Kim Smith that dismissed claims by a former management company they had an ownership stake in the institution, according to Dizik, who is attorney and a consultant in the case.

The Masonic Temple Association of Detroit, which owns the Masonic Temple, booted the management company, Halberd Holdings, out of the facility in 2012. The association claimed, among other things, that Halberd was ruining the temple’s reputation by not paying its bills and hiring felons. Read more »

From the Grand Lodge of California:

For the fourth consecutive year, the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry will join more than 50 other local historical and cultural organizations March 1-2 at The Old Mint in San Francisco to celebrate the diverse history of the city and the organizations that have contributed to it.

This heralded event brings together professional local historians from throughout San Francisco for celebration of and inquiry into the city’s past. Each organization will be setting up “mini-museums” and visitors are invited to rediscover the history of the city through artifacts, photographs, films, and oral histories.

Don’t miss the HWC Library and Museum’s display, featuring San Francisco’s Masonic history including historical treasures such as the ceremonial trowels that dedicated the cornerstones of the landmark building that the event is being held in!

For more information, visit sfhistoryexpo.org