Over the past days I’ve visited two Lodges that have been decorated with a great deal of care.
The first Lodge is decorated with extensive, carefully put together displays of antique Masonic items, all of which relate in some direct way to that specific Lodge or its members.
The second Lodge is decorated primarily with a large number of interesting and unusual aprons, all of which have been individually shadowboxed. These aprons range from historic Grand Lodge of Washington issue with our State Seal, to as far away as the Grand Lodge of Rhodesia.
Both of these Lodges can invite a potential candidate, or even a new Mason in, and give him a veritable tour of Freemasonry, just by showing off the displays, and explaining the items. Both of them make a very strong and positive impression, and that is something we need to do if we hope to attract the best men in our society.
I don’t imagine that the second Lodge’s decorating was particularly inexpensive, as I’m sure that many of the aprons cost significant money, as did their framing, but the first Lodge would have been able to pull off its decorating for little or no cost, because it already owned all of the displayed items. They were just removed from storage rooms and cabinets, and put back to work serving the Lodge, and telling the story of the Lodge. Expensive or without cost, both Lodges look superb because of these displays, and both tell important history.
Does your Lodge do something similar?
If not, do you think that you could convince your Brothers to create similar displays to beautify and enliven your Masonic Temple?
When I lived in Boston, I had several occasions to visit the Cambridge Masonic Temple across the river. This building had several lodges and York Rite bodies that met there. The temple board had a caretaker responsible for the building's upkeep (he was also the Tyler of almost every group that met there). He had created beautiful displays throughout the building. In the lobby area of the main lodge room he had cases with aprons, which he rotated in and out to showcase other things and so they would not be exposed to long to light which can damage them over time. He also had a mannequin with a traditional Knights Templar uniform. In the Tyler's room just outside the lodge room he had dozens of Tyler swords mounted vertically almost floor to ceiling on the walls. In addition to being a functioning temple, it also made it like a mini museum to the history of Masonry in Cambridge. I looked forward to attending meetings in that building for that very reason.
I think you are exactly right, decorations such as you mention do create a sort of museum, and that encourages men to attend.
One Master of a Washington Lodge that is extremely well decorated told me that he views his Lodge Room as a sort of Working Museum, and I think that is apt. It is certainly impactful on those considering membership in our Fraternity, and on visitors to the Lodge as well. I've certainly found myself recommending that Brothers visit that Lodge to just about everyone who will listen.
The men we want to attract to Freemasonry are not interested in joining an organization that meets in a building that doesn't appear to have been maintained since 1965, or that offers no evidence of pride.
On the other hand, an exceptionally well decorated building, properly maintained, will attract the very men we seek.
Another example of historical display is the rows of Past Masters that most Lodges have in their foyer, Tyler's room, etc.
I always get a kick at how common these photos look between the Lodges -- the stately pioneers of the Lodge's early era, to the scowling old guys in the business suits of the mid-20th Century, to the 1970's wild ties and plaid jackets. Problem is with many Lodges, it can get pretty toothy when you get into the more recent years. Sometimes it starts getting toothy even into the 1990's. I suggest taking a look at your Past Master's row and making sure it's up-to-date. Something else to consider about this row: find out about the histories of these Past Masters. Were they the mayor of the town? Principal of a school? Did they own a business in town? Some Lodges have a nice history of their Past Masters, such as Chehalis Lodge No. 28 in Chehalis, Washington. Have a member of your Lodge do a study on these Brothers, and when a visitor comes to your Lodge and starts looking at the photos of the Past Masters, your Lodge member can give the visitor a little education. You'd be surprised at how well-received that could be among your Brothers.
How interesting would we find it today, if from the very beginning our Lodge had kept a book including the biography of every Past Master, updated each year?
We would find that some of the men in those photographs certainly did do great and fascinating things.
Perhaps, as you say, we would be well served researching those men now, but also in keeping good biographical records moving forward. Surely one hundred years from now, Brothers will find it interesting to know a little something about our current Worshipful Master.
When I lived in Boston, I had several occasions to visit the Cambridge Masonic Temple across the river. This building had several lodges and York Rite bodies that met there. The temple board had a caretaker responsible for the building's upkeep (he was also the Tyler of almost every group that met there). He had created beautiful displays throughout the building. In the lobby area of the main lodge room he had cases with aprons, which he rotated in and out to showcase other things and so they would not be exposed to long to light which can damage them over time. He also had a mannequin with a traditional Knights Templar uniform. In the Tyler's room just outside the lodge room he had dozens of Tyler swords mounted vertically almost floor to ceiling on the walls. In addition to being a functioning temple, it also made it like a mini museum to the history of Masonry in Cambridge. I looked forward to attending meetings in that building for that very reason.
I think you are exactly right, decorations such as you mention do create a sort of museum, and that encourages men to attend.
One Master of a Washington Lodge that is extremely well decorated told me that he views his Lodge Room as a sort of Working Museum, and I think that is apt. It is certainly impactful on those considering membership in our Fraternity, and on visitors to the Lodge as well. I've certainly found myself recommending that Brothers visit that Lodge to just about everyone who will listen.
I wish more lodges paid proper attention to decorating their lodge rooms.
I strongly agree.
The men we want to attract to Freemasonry are not interested in joining an organization that meets in a building that doesn't appear to have been maintained since 1965, or that offers no evidence of pride.
On the other hand, an exceptionally well decorated building, properly maintained, will attract the very men we seek.
Another example of historical display is the rows of Past Masters that most Lodges have in their foyer, Tyler's room, etc.
I always get a kick at how common these photos look between the Lodges -- the stately pioneers of the Lodge's early era, to the scowling old guys in the business suits of the mid-20th Century, to the 1970's wild ties and plaid jackets. Problem is with many Lodges, it can get pretty toothy when you get into the more recent years. Sometimes it starts getting toothy even into the 1990's. I suggest taking a look at your Past Master's row and making sure it's up-to-date. Something else to consider about this row: find out about the histories of these Past Masters. Were they the mayor of the town? Principal of a school? Did they own a business in town? Some Lodges have a nice history of their Past Masters, such as Chehalis Lodge No. 28 in Chehalis, Washington. Have a member of your Lodge do a study on these Brothers, and when a visitor comes to your Lodge and starts looking at the photos of the Past Masters, your Lodge member can give the visitor a little education. You'd be surprised at how well-received that could be among your Brothers.
How interesting would we find it today, if from the very beginning our Lodge had kept a book including the biography of every Past Master, updated each year?
We would find that some of the men in those photographs certainly did do great and fascinating things.
Perhaps, as you say, we would be well served researching those men now, but also in keeping good biographical records moving forward. Surely one hundred years from now, Brothers will find it interesting to know a little something about our current Worshipful Master.