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.
When the United Grand Lodge of England met for its regular quarterly meeting on 6th June 1945, a month after the end of the war in Europe, tribute was paid to the Masonic lodges which had continued to carry out their duties in spite of the difficulties and dangers of the war and the hope expressed that “the spirit which has sustained them will be maintained”.
The exhibition will look at how English freemasonry faced the difficulties of the war on the Home Front across the country and how the new headquarters building (Freemasons’ Hall, completed in 1933) was adapted for use as an air raid shelter during the Blitz. With Britain at the centre of an international alliance how did Masonic organisations meet the demands of allied and exiled troops in Britain? How did freemasonry adapt to the complexities of the immediate post war world? Exhibits including jewels, photographs, stamps and archive material will help to tell the story.
Exhibition Dates/Times
Monday 31st January – Friday 19th August 2005 (Monday to Fridays only)
Open: 10am to 5pm / Admission free
Library and Museum staff are also giving a series of free afternoon talks in the week of the Anniversary of VE Day (details below)
Talks Programme
Monday 9th May at 4pm
The Spirit that sustains: An Overview of English Freemasonry and the Second World War: Diane Clements
Tuesday 10th May at 4pm
A Building at War: Freemasons’ Hall, London 1939-1945: Fay Newman
Wednesday 11th May at 4pm
Exiles, Allies and Victors: Masonic Association 1940-50: Martin Cherry
Thursday 12th May at 4pm
Doves, Dragons and the Leafy Idyll: A Study of the Iconography of Masonic Jewels, 1939-1945: Alison Royle
Friday 13th May at 4pm
From Peace to War: the material culture of Freemasonry in the Second World War: Mark Dennis
