I agree that Masonic artifacts should be disposed with dignity and care for all of the reasons cited. I also believe that, for some Brothers, the aura surrounding such material things underlies a quest for material things. We all know of Brothers who how have advanced through the chairs or have advocated for an award in part for the self congratulatory purpose of wearing a fancy apron or a special lapel pin.
Yes, treasure our artifacts that have fallen into disuse. But long before that guard the integrity of first putting them to use.
This is a good perspective, and certainly not something I can disagree with. It is unfortunate, but as with all human endeavors, some seek to become Masons or advance within the craft for less than noble reasons.
Our ego's need to be fed is certainly one of those vices and superfluities that can benefit from the use of the common gavel. Such is the work of Masonry.
Good Morning GM, (the following maybe a bit off topic) Brother a few years ago, a Centralia College professor of Geology came and lectured at our ARES meeting at the Centralia Police Dept. His topic was concerning the eventual coming earthquake to Centralia and surrounding areas. He Stated, “when we have that earthquake, Centralia’s fragile downtown old buildings will be a pile of rubble and we will be cut off because I-5 will be devastated, hence no trucking of food and other essential goods. Our discussion then and after was what can we do to best serve our (EOC), Emergency Operations Center. I suggested we identified buildings that would probably survive that could house masses of our People (Our Centralia Lodge Building will not survive). I also suggested that we identified helicopter landing sites in and around Centralia, we did and now the exact coordinates are part of our emergency response plan. Long intro, let me be brief, I envision turning our Centralia Masonic Temple Building into a Masonic Museum and purchasing 5 or more acres of land and build a new technology enhanced, earthquake proof, emergency Masonic facility. I got the inspiration from visiting the Scottish Rite Temple at Washington DC many years ago, WOW what a Great Masonic Museum!!! In closing, I believe we need a place where our Masonic Culture and Heritage can be displayed and preserved. Centraila is perfectly in the middle between Seattle and Portland. (that’s 1of 3, just the Westside of our State). Thank you for your time and kind attention.
I agree, Centralia would be a perfect home for a Masonic Library and Museum. As you mention, it is half way between our region's major population centers, and well served by highways.
It also has train service, multiple times per day, from both Seattle and Portland, making travel easy.
I also agree that we need a modern and interesting Library and Museum. The creation of such would be a superb project for the Freemasons of Washington, and if it were ever built, would benefit our Craft greatly.
Nice article. One thing i have thought a lot about is a "Masonic Last Will and Testament." A non-legal "last will" that instructed loved ones on how to dispose of Masonic materials and clearly stated the brothehrs desires concerning a Masonic funeral. So often families find Masonic items in a closet, or an attic and have no idea what to do with them. Even if they want to be respectful they have to hunt up a brother to help them. If we had a standardized document that a brother could put with his important papers, and a copy in his Lodge, then the chance of his Masonic items comeing home to teh fraternty aremiuch higher. Such a document might help clarify the desire for a Masonic funeral. I have seen cases where a family had no idea that there wa susch a thing or how to ask for it. Just a thought.
I really like this idea. Thank you for sharing it. I'll throw it out to the group and see how much interest there is. If there is interest, we can create a good template and make it available.
There has been quite a few times where masonic items were literally left on our doorstep. Some of it was extraordinary. We’ve also been contacted by family with items as you said found literally in attics and closets. We’ve always tried to find the proper homes for the items. Some we contacted the home lodge of the brother and passed on the items. Others, like aprons, we’ve provided to grand lodge. Some items of little intrinsic value we’ve offered to brothers to take for themselves to cherish.
Personally, I’ve made every effort to inform my daughter what I want to happen when I make that trip from whose borne no traveler returns. It’s a hard conversation for her, but it needs to be done. Don’t let your cherished memories end up on eBay.
I too have found that the kids have trouble with such discussions, but agree that they need to happen. I trust that when the inevitable ever happens to my wife and I, the kids will understand why we had those talks, and be glad that we did.
Not sure I should call our kids kids though, they are getting up there themselves! Alas though, I always seem to think that I'm younger than I really am.
I agree that Masonic artifacts should be disposed with dignity and care for all of the reasons cited. I also believe that, for some Brothers, the aura surrounding such material things underlies a quest for material things. We all know of Brothers who how have advanced through the chairs or have advocated for an award in part for the self congratulatory purpose of wearing a fancy apron or a special lapel pin.
Yes, treasure our artifacts that have fallen into disuse. But long before that guard the integrity of first putting them to use.
This is a good perspective, and certainly not something I can disagree with. It is unfortunate, but as with all human endeavors, some seek to become Masons or advance within the craft for less than noble reasons.
Our ego's need to be fed is certainly one of those vices and superfluities that can benefit from the use of the common gavel. Such is the work of Masonry.
Good Morning GM, (the following maybe a bit off topic) Brother a few years ago, a Centralia College professor of Geology came and lectured at our ARES meeting at the Centralia Police Dept. His topic was concerning the eventual coming earthquake to Centralia and surrounding areas. He Stated, “when we have that earthquake, Centralia’s fragile downtown old buildings will be a pile of rubble and we will be cut off because I-5 will be devastated, hence no trucking of food and other essential goods. Our discussion then and after was what can we do to best serve our (EOC), Emergency Operations Center. I suggested we identified buildings that would probably survive that could house masses of our People (Our Centralia Lodge Building will not survive). I also suggested that we identified helicopter landing sites in and around Centralia, we did and now the exact coordinates are part of our emergency response plan. Long intro, let me be brief, I envision turning our Centralia Masonic Temple Building into a Masonic Museum and purchasing 5 or more acres of land and build a new technology enhanced, earthquake proof, emergency Masonic facility. I got the inspiration from visiting the Scottish Rite Temple at Washington DC many years ago, WOW what a Great Masonic Museum!!! In closing, I believe we need a place where our Masonic Culture and Heritage can be displayed and preserved. Centraila is perfectly in the middle between Seattle and Portland. (that’s 1of 3, just the Westside of our State). Thank you for your time and kind attention.
I agree, Centralia would be a perfect home for a Masonic Library and Museum. As you mention, it is half way between our region's major population centers, and well served by highways.
It also has train service, multiple times per day, from both Seattle and Portland, making travel easy.
I also agree that we need a modern and interesting Library and Museum. The creation of such would be a superb project for the Freemasons of Washington, and if it were ever built, would benefit our Craft greatly.
Nice article. One thing i have thought a lot about is a "Masonic Last Will and Testament." A non-legal "last will" that instructed loved ones on how to dispose of Masonic materials and clearly stated the brothehrs desires concerning a Masonic funeral. So often families find Masonic items in a closet, or an attic and have no idea what to do with them. Even if they want to be respectful they have to hunt up a brother to help them. If we had a standardized document that a brother could put with his important papers, and a copy in his Lodge, then the chance of his Masonic items comeing home to teh fraternty aremiuch higher. Such a document might help clarify the desire for a Masonic funeral. I have seen cases where a family had no idea that there wa susch a thing or how to ask for it. Just a thought.
I really like this idea. Thank you for sharing it. I'll throw it out to the group and see how much interest there is. If there is interest, we can create a good template and make it available.
There has been quite a few times where masonic items were literally left on our doorstep. Some of it was extraordinary. We’ve also been contacted by family with items as you said found literally in attics and closets. We’ve always tried to find the proper homes for the items. Some we contacted the home lodge of the brother and passed on the items. Others, like aprons, we’ve provided to grand lodge. Some items of little intrinsic value we’ve offered to brothers to take for themselves to cherish.
Personally, I’ve made every effort to inform my daughter what I want to happen when I make that trip from whose borne no traveler returns. It’s a hard conversation for her, but it needs to be done. Don’t let your cherished memories end up on eBay.
I too have found that the kids have trouble with such discussions, but agree that they need to happen. I trust that when the inevitable ever happens to my wife and I, the kids will understand why we had those talks, and be glad that we did.
Not sure I should call our kids kids though, they are getting up there themselves! Alas though, I always seem to think that I'm younger than I really am.