Delivering An Artifact
To the Grand Lodge of Oregon
Yesterday, VW Clayton (our Assistant Grand Secretary) and I drove down to the Grand Lodge of Oregon’s Robert M. Richmond Library and Museum. We got a great tour, chatted with the Grand Lodge’s staff, and had lunch in the former home of the Grand Lodge, now a McMenamins restaurant, bar, and hotel.
But, our visit had a purpose.
VW Clayton had come into possession of a very old, hand carved wooden apron box, with the apron inside. A really unique piece, it was designed to hold a rolled apron in the most compact way imaginable.
The history with the apron box indicated that it was made by an Oregon Mason, a member of a Lodge no longer existing in that Jurisdiction.
We drove down to take this historic treasure home.
When we left, it was safely preserved in a climate controlled glass display case.
So our trip was, in my view, really important.
A Brother, long since dead, had a vision for a truly unique apron box, as opposed to the apron tubes and cases we are all so familiar with. He spent countless hours with a knife and a chunk of hardwood bringing that vision into the world.
And we know that he would have spent countless more hours carrying it back and forth between his home and his Lodge.
It is truly wonderful that we were able to get it back to its proper Masonic home.
So much better than if it had ended up in a junk store or the landfill.
That brings up a number of questions. I’ve asked them before, but I think they are really important, so I think it is OK to ask them again.
Do you want a Masonic funeral? If so, does your family know? Does your Lodge know?
Do you want to be buried with your white leather apron? If so, does your family know? And do they know where to find it?
What do you want your family to do with your Masonic ‘stuff’? How will they know your wishes for it?
Is there a Brother you want some of your Masonic treasures to be handed down to? Have you written that wish down where it will be found?
Do you want to leave some money to your Lodge, or a Masonic charity? If so, is it in your will?
I know that we don’t like to contemplate these things, and I know that we always think we have a lot of time left here on earth, but we shouldn’t ignore them.
So, let’s chat about it…
While I appreciate the real point of this post being to encourage each of us to consider how our Masonic artifacts will be disposed of and our Masonic lives continue beyond our mortal toils.
But, I would really like to see some photos of this remarkable sounding apron case.
My Masonic mentor was a practitioner of what he called the "Hobo Art" of word carving. He gifted me one of his carvings and his daughter gave me one of his pocket knives. Needless to say these are two of my most prized possessions...
It’s been over five years, so time for me to review my will and final wishes as you suggest. It’s already on my to do list.
As for bequests, a *much* simpler way is to properly name a Lodge or WA Masonic Services as a whole or partial beneficiary of a bank or investment account or life insurance policy. Then it will pass outside probate. No will or attorney required. Easy to change.
A trust also operates outside probate, and can provide current or future assets/income. Probably not worth it for $10,000, might be a good idea for $100,000+. You’ll need an estate attorney. A good one is well worth the fees.