Temple Times - Fall 2019

Temple

Fall 2019

TIMES Meet Michael D. McKee, Executive Director

Masonic Charities One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Brother Michael D. McKee, P.M., Jerusalem Lodge No. 506, oversees the operation of the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. He is responsible for maintaining the historic Masonic Temple at One North Broad Street in Philadelphia and its priceless art collection, including rare transcripts and historical documents. He started at the Temple, Library and Museum in 2012 as the Director of Compliance and Risk Management. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Brother Mike served during Operation Desert Storm.

An Update on the Digitalization of Records Project Many thanks go out to everyone who has supported the digitalization of records project. Through your support, we have digitalized 42 of our historic books and membership ledgers. These items are frequently accessed, making them more vulnerable to damage and degradation caused by the oils, dirt and debris they come in contact with during handling. Digitalizing these historic books and membership

records makes them more accessible to individuals so we can share the wealth of history their pages contain, while still protecting the original documents. These documents can have up to 800 pages each, making digitalization an extensive – but worthy – undertaking. Thank you for your continued support which has allowed us to prioritize this process.

A Brief History of the Masonic Temple, Library & Museum THE TEMPLE In 1865, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania decided it was time to construct a new Masonic Temple. Although the fraternal headquarters had only occupied

the Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street for 10 years, an influx of new members after the Civil War created the demand for a larger meeting space. Right Worshipful Grand Master Richard Vaux laid the building’s cornerstone on June 24, 1868, using the same gavel that Brother and President George Washington had used to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., 75 years before. The completed Temple was dedicated Sept. 26, 1873. The Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter and Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania have met at the Masonic Temple since it opened; numerous other subordinate Blue Lodges and appendant Masonic bodies do as well.

where he can divest his mind of the cares of busy life and find subject matter to read and think upon which will tend greatly to elevate his thoughts, words and deeds.” In 1951, the Library started lending out books for members to read offsite. Library staff answer over 400 questions from Masons and nonMasons each year.

THE LIBRARY The Masonic Temple’s 75,000-volume library houses one of the finest collections of print and non-print material created for the illustration and study of Freemasonry, with works dating from 1489 - present. The Library Committee’s original intention was “to make the Library of the Grand Lodge the place most to be sought after by the intelligent and thoughtful Mason – a place

In 1985, the Masonic Temple was designated a National Historic Landmark. The building is open to the public for tours and research opportunities, with thousands of visitors yearly. Donors’ generous contributions allow the building to be maintained and rare books and artifacts to be restored and displayed.

We are extremely grateful for these individuals and their support!

THE MUSEUM Brother John Wanamaker, Friendship Lodge No. 400, founded the Museum in 1908. It has over 30,000 artifacts, including Brother and President George Washington’s Masonic apron, a sliver of wood from his coffin and a sash worn by Brother Benjamin Franklin when he was part of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters in France.

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Because of You An 1842 reprint of the third edition of the Book of Mormon (pictured) has been re-bound and given a protective case to delay the effects of age and abrasion. Published by Brother Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, this key piece of history is not under lock and key, as many of its kind are. Rather, it is at the fingertips of anyone who wants to pore over and absorb its pages of knowledge. This is just one example of what donor support has accomplished. Thank you to everyone who has made this, and many other projects, possible.

Learn More or Donate If you are 70½ or older, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

To learn more about opportunities to support the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum, please call the Office of Gift Planning at 1-800-599-6454 or email giving@pamasonictemple.org.