Three Centuries of English Freemasonry

Three Centuries

of English Freemasonry Monday to Saturday, lOam - 5pm Admission free

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Freemasonry's values have always been those of sociability, inclusivity, integrity and charity. Visit our new exhibition gallery to discover how freemasonry developed from its origins in the early 1700s into a significant social institution and explore how freemasonry fits into today's world.

The beginning of modern freemasonry is recorded as 24th June 1717when four London lodges met at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern near St Paul's Cathedral as a Grand Lodge, which became the governing body Freemasonry spread from Britain into Europe and then, following expanding empires, across the world Over 300 years its ceremonies and regalia have adapted to meet the needs of different and changing societies

Above left: Jewel presented to the Earl of Moira (1813) Above right: Trowel used to lay a foundation stone in Bangalore Right. Bristol blue glass decanter (1770)

Left: A view of the exh¡bition gallery showing the gilt throne made for the Prince of Wales (later George IV) (1790) Above: Masonic apron (c 1780) Right: Exhibition case with the apron of the Duke of Sussex.

Right below: Samuel Lee: Orbis Miraculum (1659).

Alongside the exhibition gallery the Library and Museum of Freemasonry offers lots of opportunities to discover more about freemasonry The Museum contains an extensive collection of objects with Masonic decoration including pottery and porcelain, glassware, silver, furniture and clocks, jewels and regalia Items belonging to famous and not so famous freemasons are on display.

There is also an extensive collection of prints, engravings and photographs The online catalogue at www.freemasonry.museum.london gives details of the collections Using the search term Freemasonry300 allows you to find out about all the objects in the Three Centuries of English Freemasonry exhibition.

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Above: Lustreware jug (c 1820) Left: Portrait of a Senior Grand Warden (c 1740) Below. Porcelain bowl (c 1780)

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Family and Local History Research

Library and Archives You are welcome to use the Library and Archives for reference. They contain a comprehensive collection of books, music and documents on freemasonry and on subjects associated with freemasonry The repository for the archives of the United Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Grand Chapter of England and their predecessor bodies, the archive collections also include papers relating to buildings and sites associated with freemasonry and masonic charities.

For more information see the website at wwwfreemasonry.londonmuseum or search the collections at wwwfreemasonry.london.museum/ catalogue.php Staff are always pleased to help visitors with historical enquiries or to respond to telephone, written or e-mail enquiries and can advise about how to use Museum, Library and Archive resources. Staff cannot. however, undertake extensive research on individual enquiries

Left A page of the Articles of Union (1813) signed by two royal brothers, the Dukes of Sussex and Kent

Grand Lodge maintains records of membership. Information about individual members is based on Annual Returns compiled by individual lodges The earliest such Returns date from the 1750s.

These were used to create registers of members. These Membership Registers can be accessed in two ways.

Over}.? million names listed in the registers from 1751-1921.fully searchable by individual name, are now on wwwancestry.co.uk available by taking an Ancestry subscription or for free in the Library and Museum and at many local record offices and some libraries Alternatively, or for enquiries before 1750 or after 1921. the Library and Museum provides a search service. Details and an online request form are available at wwwfreemasonry.london.museum/ family-history/

Above Members of Lodge Mesopotamia No 3820 formed 1917.

Visitor information Entrance to both the Exhibition Gallery and Library and Museum is FREE of CHARGE Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 1700 except public holidays Location Freemasons' Hall is located on the edge of Covent Garden, where there are many cafes and restaurants. There are public car parks nearby

Disabled Access The Library and Museum is located on the first floor of Freemasons' Hall - lifts are available which are suitable for most wheelchairs.

Contact us The Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street.

London WC28 5AZ Telephone +44 (0)20 7395 9257

Email:

libmus@freemasonry.london.museum The Shop at Freemasons' Hall The Shop sells a range of books, postcards, gifts and souvenirs about the history of Freemasonry and Freemasons' Hall For enquiries call +44 (0)20 7395 9329 or order online at wwwletchworthshopco.uk Guided Tours The Library and Museum is located in Freemasons' Hall. a superb example of Art Deco of the 1930s. Free guided tours of the building (which start from the Library and Museum) are available during opening hours.

No tours are available on ceremonial occasions and visitors are advised to check in advance on the website or by telephone on +44 (0)20 7395 9257

For a large-print version of this leaflet email libmus@freemasonry. london.museum or see the website or call+44 (0)20 7395 9257

The Library and Museum Charitable Trust of the United Grand Lodge is a registered chanty No 1058497.

Exhibition related talks and events See www.freemasonry.london. museum/events for details