Encounters: Artists and Freemasonry
The Library and Museum’s latest exhibition explores how artists have responded to freemasonry over the last 300 years. It features the work of William Hogarth in the 18th century, the photographer Alvin Langdon Coburn in the 20th century and several artists from across Europe working today. The exhibition opens on 25th February 2013 and runs until 20th
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Exhibition – Building Solomon’s Temple
In 1924 the Grand Secretary of the English freemasons led a delegation to Jerusalem where he inaugurated a new Masonic lodge, the Lodge of King Solomon’s Temple. At the time Britain was responsible for the administration of Palestine (comprising modern Israel, the West Bank and Gaza) under a League of Nations mandate and several members
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Exhibition – The Masonic Emporium: Selling to the world
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry’s latest exhibition explores the development of the market for Masonic items, telling the story of its suppliers and customers. When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 there were about 500 Masonic lodges in the British Empire, by the time she died in 1901, there were nearly 2,000.
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Masonic Aprons
The Masonic apron is the badge of membership for Freemasons. It symbolises the protective apron worn by stonemasons and in its original form was a complete lambskin. When a member joins he completes three ceremonies or ‘degrees’.
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Centenary Jewels
When a lodge can demonstrate one hundred years of continuous working it can apply for a ‘centenary warrant’ and its members are allowed to wear a centenary jewel. A decorative bar is available for bicentenaries.
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Charity Jewels
Freemasons have collected for charity from the earliest days of the organisation. One system used is ‘Charity Festivals’. These originated from a collection carried out after a celebratory meal in the late 1700s. Members donating a sum of money become ‘Stewards’ for the year and can wear a medal or ‘Masonic jewel’.
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Other Fraternal and Friendly Societies
Freemasonry is not the only fraternal organisation. The oldest of these were formed in the 1700s. The range of organisations is very wide – from Old Friends to Druids, Oddfellows to Knights of the Phoenix, Buffaloes and Freemasons.
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Freemasons and the Royal Society: Martin Folkes
Martin Folkes (1690-1754) was an antiquary who was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 23 for his study of mathematics. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1741-1752.
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Exhibition – Freemasons and the Royal Society
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry’s latest exhibition explores the links between freemasons and the Royal Society over the course of its history. The origins of the Royal Society lie in an “invisible college” of philosophers and scientists who began meeting in the mid-1640s to discuss the ideas of Francis Bacon.
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Freemasonry and the French Revolution: Masonic Jewel
An estimated 120,000 French soldiers and sailors were brought to England as prisoners of war during the period 1793-1815.
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Freemasonry and the French Revolution: Chairs with Masonic Symbolism
At the time when the Bastille prison was stormed by the Paris mob on 14 July 1789, English freemasonry was approaching a peak of respectability and prestige.
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Freemasonry and the French Revolution: Napoleonic French Apron
On the two pillars are Joseph Bonaparte and Cambacères, two leading freemasons of the period. The apron was on display in the Freemasonry and the French Revolution exhibition which ran until 18th December 2009.
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Freemasonry and the French Revolution: Sèvres porcelain
During the French Revolution the Sèvres porcelain factory just outside Paris, originally established and patronised by the French Royal Family and nobility, turned to producing items which reflected the new political situation.
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Talk – Symbolism Made Metal: Discover an Unknown Collection
Mark Dennis, Curator, talks about an almost unknown part of the collection – Masonic medals – in a talk entitled Symbolism Made Metal.
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English Masonic Charity: Royal Cumberland School for Girls
The Library and Museum’s latest exhibition about Masonic charity includes an outline of the history of what was originally known as the Royal Cumberland School for the Daughters of Indigent Freemasons.
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English Masonic Charity: Silver Candelabra
This silver candelabra was presented to Dr Robert Crucefix at a meeting held at the New London Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackfriars on 24th November 1841 to mark his contribution towards freemasonry which included the development of what was the forerunner of today’s Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
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English Masonic Charity: Masonic Home, Croydon
By 1847 supporters of the Masonic Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, the forerunner of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, had raised funds to purchase land in Croydon on which to build a home for 50 residents.
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Exhibition – The Second Grand Principle: English Masonic Charity
The Library and Museum’s latest exhibition tells the story of Masonic charity, from its origins to the establishment of the charitable institutions. The exhibition will also highlight some of the non-masonic causes that English freemasonry has supported.
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Exhibition – Square Meals: 300 Years of Masonic Dining
Square Meals: 300 Years of Masonic Dining at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry will recreate Masonic dining from the early 1700s to the present.
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Women and Freemasonry: The First Female Freemason of Modern Times
The first female freemason of modern times is Maria Deraismes (1828-1894). She was initiated on14th January 1882.
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Women and Freemasonry: The Order of Women Freemasons
The Order of Women Freemasons (“OWF”) established a travelling lodge to visit areas where no lodges were established and to initiate new members.
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Women and Freemasonry: Commemorative Pendant
To mark its centenary the Order of Women Freemasons commissioned the newest addition to the select number of commemorative pieces which the organisation has produced – a pendant.
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Exhibition – Women and Freemasonry: The Centenary
Many people are still oblivious to the fact that there are women freemasons. In fact, The Order of Women Freemasons (originally known as the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry) was formed on 5 June 1908.
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Rebuilding of Freemasons’ Hall – 1860s
In the 1860s Grand Lodge began a comprehensive rebuilding of the site in Great Queen Street around the first Freemasons’ Hall built by Thomas Sandby in 1774-6. Purchases of properties along Great Queen Street enabled the site to be expanded.
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Jewel: Wellington Lodge No. 707
The Library and Museum has recently purchased this Masonic jewel with an unusual, if not unique, design. In the form of an oval pendant, 3.5 inches high, the jewel features a Square and Compass design around the letter G, a sunburst above and a set of steps below.
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Recognising London: Sir Alfred Robbins (1856 – 1931)
Sir Alfred Robbins perceived influence in the governing of freemasonry in the early years of the twentieth century led to him being described as “the prime Minister of English freemasonry”.
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Recognising London: Harry Bladon – Freemason and Manufacturer of Masonic Regalia
Henry Bladon was born in 1867 and initiated into Duke of Cornwall Lodge No. 1839. He was proposed by his father, Joseph, who was Senior Deacon of the lodge.
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Recognising London: William Wix 1768 – 1849
William Wix (1768-1849) was an attorney and Fellow of the Royal Society and held the office of Provincial Grand Master of Essex from 1801-1824 (and of Grand Superintendent from 1801-1846).
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Exhibition – Recognising London: The Centenary of London Grand Rank
In December 1907, the Duke of Connaught, as Grand Master, announced the creation of London Rank (now known as London Grand Rank) which provided London masons with an honours system, comparable with that already existing in the provinces, which could be used to reward long and meritorious service.
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Badges, medals and jewels of Freemasonry
Badges, medals and jewels are amongst the earliest surviving objects associated with freemasonry. In the eighteenth century, when the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed, it was not uncommon to wear a badge, often very elaborate, which provided visual evidence of membership of an organisation and of rank within that organisation.
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Exhibition – Tokens of Unwritten Lives: The Folk and Popular Art of Fraternity
History is written by those who have the power to do it, but it is created by all of us. The summer exhibition at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry celebrates the creativity of ordinary people who chose to mark their membership of local and national groups and societies by the creation and display of
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Exhibition – Squaring the Triangle
The current Library and Museum exhibition is called Squaring the Triangle it forms part of the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the slave trade.
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The Freemason’s Liber Musicus: The Red Cross Song
This song about the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine was composed by Robert Wentworth Little (1840-1879).
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The Freemason’s Liber Musicus: George Bickham – Musical Entertainer 1737
The True Mason appears in an 18th Century song book, The Musical Entertainer. The words were by John Bancks and appear in the 1738 edition of Anderson’s Constitutions. Both Bickham and Anderson call him Brother, so it must be assumed that he was a freemason.
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Exhibition – The Freemason’s Liber Musicus
The latest exhibition in the Library and Museum explores the development of Masonic music over three centuries. Music has always been integral to English freemasonry from the early years of the eighteenth century and the inclusion of songs set to music in James Anderson’s first Book of Constitutions (1723) is clear evidence for this.
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Exhibition: Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of London – 150th Anniversary
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons in London, the Library and Museum of Freemasonry is putting on display many unique documents and rarely seen objects relating to the early years of this Grand Lodge.
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The Hall in the Garden: The Duke of Sussex
The Duke of Sussex, who had become Grand Master at the Union, died on 21st April 1843. It was decided a statue in Freemasons’ Hall would be the best tribute to him.
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Exhibition – The Hall in the Garden: A History of Freemasons’ Hall
The history of one of the most recognisable and intriguing buildings in the centre of London and its links and associations with its local area was the subject of an exhibition opening in July 2006.
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Exhibition – Ahiman Rezon: The Legacy of Laurence Dermott
To mark the 250th Anniversary of the publication of the first Book of Constitutions for the Antients Grand Lodge, the Library and Museum is putting on display its unique collection of editions of Ahiman Rezon.
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Cataloguing of lodge jewels
The Library and Museum’s project of cataloguing the many thousands of lodge jewels in its collection is continuing.
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Jewel: Penshaw Lodge
Penshaw Lodge No 3194 was formed one hundred years ago in 1906 and still meets at the Masonic Hall, Shiney Row in County Durham.
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Most Glorious of them All: Loyd Lindsay Lodge Jewel
The founder’s jewel for Loyd Lindsay Lodge No 3058 formed in 1904 and named after one of the first winners of the Victoria Cross, Robert James Loyd-Lindsay.
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Exhibition – Most Glorious of them All
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross in 1856, the Library and Museum of Freemasonry is mounting a new exhibition about some of the holders of Victoria Cross who were freemasons.
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Mozart and Freemasonry
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg on 27th January 1756. Most of his early life was spent travelling around Europe studying and giving concerts as a child prodigy.
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Kingsway
On 18th October 1905, King Edward VII officially opened Kingsway, a new roadway linking the Strand with Euston Station which had been the largest road building scheme in London since the construction of Regent Street in 1820.
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Elegance and Splendour: The Story of Freemasons’ Hall
The current exhibition at the Library and Museum is about the first Freemasons’ Hall which was built in 1776 in Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, as the headquarters for the growing membership of the Grand Lodge of England.
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Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Bucks
Jewel of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Bucks, which flourished between the 1770s and the 1820s.
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The Ancient Order of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters is one of the oldest friendly societies, with its origins in Yorkshire in the 1790s. Philanthropy and virtue featured prominently in the principles and ritual of the Society.
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Grand Lodge of Druids, late 18th Century
Eighteenth-century British intellectuals were very interested in the Druids; they were attracted to the idea that ancient Britain had not been peopled by savages but had an order of learning and wisdom that had rivalled – and possibly influenced – the Greek philosophers and the astrologers of ancient Persia.
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French Masonic clock
The Library and Museum has recently purchased this French Masonic clock.
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St John’s Day
St John the Baptist, whose feast day is 24th June, and St John the Evangelist, whose festival is celebrated on 27th December, are regarded as the “patron saints” of freemasonry.
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The Spirit that sustains: Cardboard Charity Jewels
During the Second World War metal was required for the production of aircraft and armaments. Masonic charities traditionally issued medals or jewels each year commemorating fundraising events (known as festivals). During the war Masonic charities replaced their metal steward’s jewels with card or plastic versions.
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The Spirit that sustains: Solent Lodge No. 6182
A group of Portsmouth freemasons began to think about the formation of a new lodge early in 1945. Solent Lodge No 6182 was formed shortly after the Second World War.
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Exhibition – The Spirit that sustains
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry at Freemasons’ Hall in London is mounting an exhibition from January to August 2005 to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This is the regalia case once owned by Winston Churchill, Britain’s wartime leader.
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The Legacy of John Pine
As the first official engraver to Grand Lodge, John Pine established a tradition of high-quality engraving and decoration in masonic documents and publications which has continued to the present day.
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Exhibition – Sociable Craftsman: The World of the Artist John Pine
The career of John Pine encompasses much of 18th-century London life. As an apprentice silversmith and a young engraver, he learnt how to make a living from art in the commercial life of London, then the largest and wealthiest city in the world.
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Buildings in London
The early archives of one of the most fascinating buildings in London are to be made available to the public by the Library and Museum of Freemasonry as part of a cataloguing and conservation project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
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Sir Henry Irving (1838 – 1905)
Freemason Sir Henry Irving was the first actor to be knighted (in 1895) having dominated the London stage as an actor and as manager of the Lyceum Theatre (from 1878) with his productions of Shakespearean plays. He died a wealthy man with a fortune estimated at more than £2 million in modern terms.
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‘Act on the Square’
Pictorial music covers such as this became common from the middle of the nineteenth century following the invention of colour lithography which enabled multi coloured printed work to be produced in quantity and cheaply.
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A Seasonal Feast!
The archives include a bill for a lodge dinner that took place on 1st December 1775 at an unknown location. The total bill was more than £14 and is annotated in a number of places to show the number of bottles ordered although we do not know how many were present.
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The Doyle Cup
The Doyle Cup is one of two presented to Lieutenant General Sir John Doyle by the Freemasons of Guernsey in 1806, one of a number of generous gifts presented at that time including a set of captured horse furniture originally intended for the Viceroy of Mexico.
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Meeting in a Bottle
This is an exceptionally rare piece and was acquired by the Library and Museum at auction in June 2003. Apparently dating from the late eighteenth century, it shows a lodge meeting in a bottle with a group of men in regimental uniform positioned around a table.
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The John Gale Jewel
A fine example from our extensive collection of pierced masonic jewels, the John Gale jewel, so called from the name enscribed on it, dates from around 1770. Very few of the jewels in the collection are named so it is relatively rare and its design is unique.
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