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On April 25, 2018, Continental Lodge No. 287 was welcomed by the Livingston Masonic Library in honor of their 165th Anniversary.

A special exhibit was designed and installed in the Reading Room by Ms. Catherine M. Walter, Curator, and Mr. Joseph Patzner, Librarian pro tem, with the help of Ms. Ratirat Osiri, Assistant Curator. The exhibit focused on two prominent members of the Lodge, and also displayed artifacts, books and archives related to Continental Lodge No. 287.  RW Demetrios G. Melis, Library Trustee and Secretary of the Board of Library Trustees, was on hand to welcome the Lodge and present the exhibits.

Three of the artifacts on display, as well as the related biographies, are also found in the Museum’s Online Virtual Museum, graciously hosted by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

One of the two prominent members was MW Edward M. L. Ehlers, who served as Grand Secretary for 36 years  under the administrations of 22 Grand Masters, from 1881-1917. In 1901, he became the Grand Lodge of New York’s second Honorary Past Grand Master. On permanent display in the Library is the RW Gutzon Borglum bust of MW Ehlers. RW Borglum was the sculptor who created Mount Rushmore.

In the temporary exhibit was shown a 1915, illuminated Certificate granting Life Membership to MW Ehlers from Continental Lodge No. 287.

An additional item highlighting MW Ehlers and his deep connection to Continental Lodge No. 287 was his Past Master Jewel, made of gold and diamond, and engraved with, “Presented to Past Master E. M. L. Ehlers, by members of Continental Lodge No. 287,  F.& A. M., March 20, 1872.

The 1904 Past Master Certificate of W Edward C. Ehlers, the son of Honorary Past Grand Master Ehlers was also on display.

The other member highlighted was RW Charles Looney, who served as Grand Steward from 1908-1909. After his death in 1937, his wife, Mrs. Ida Looney, created the Charles Looney Memorial Collection by donating a number of artifacts he had accumulated, She then actively continued to collect Masonic items, and donated  to the Library, up until her death in 1958, a large amount of medals, bookplates, engravings, letters and memorabilia in RW Looney’s name. The 1906 gold and diamond Past Master Jewel of RW Looney on display holds a lock of RW Looney’s mother’s hair.

General items related to the history of Continental Lodge No. 287 were featured, including a Jewel Clasp used by Officers of Continental Lodge No. 287, the Lodge Square damaged in the 1861 Union Square fire, and two coin medals: one from 1953 commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Lodge, and one from 1987, commemorating the 2,500th Communication of the Lodge.

The Lodge Square on display. “The Jewels, Aprons and Staffs were destroyed by the fire except a few portions… the Compasses were lost.”

An Architect’s Rendering of a Model Lodge Room, designed in 1934 by Kromm and Kohl for Continental Lodge No. 287, was displayed above the actual Model Lodge Room.

The Grand Lodge’s Masonic Hall Meeting Chart from 1948 showed that the Lodge met in the Craftsmans Lodge Room on the 7th floor on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month.

Additional items on display included: The April 1853 Petition to form Continental Lodge No. 287, the  April 22, 1853 Dispensation granted by Grand Lodge [the Warrant granted May 10, 1853], a 1900 Ballot Box presented by Worshipful Frank S. Baker, and History Books related to Continental Lodge No. 287.

The highlight, however, was the Lodge Bible, which was presented to Continental Lodge No. 287 by Brother Joseph Freeman, May 11, 1855. This Bible was injured in the fire which destroyed the Lodge room at No. 8 Union Square, March 15, 1861. It was rebound on April 16, 1861.

Most Worshipful Jeffrey M. Williamson, Grand Master 2016-2018, was in attendance at the Lodge’s Anniversary event at the Library, accompanied by the Grand Line. In a surprise to the Lodge, MW Williamson unveiled the Bible to the Lodge, and informed them of its historic placement in his Official Portrait.

The Library congratulates Continental Lodge No. 287 for its historic milestone, and for its inclusion in the Grand Master’s portrait, and thanks the Lodge for its support.

The Library is thrilled to share the history it holds with the Lodges and with the membership of Grand Lodge. If any Lodge would like a similar special, temporary exhibit installed for a commemorative event, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nymasoniclibrary.org.

This past week, the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York was pleased and proud to mount a temporary exhibit in honor of three separate visitor groups.

The A.P. American and A.P European History High School classes from John Dewey High School visited, with their teacher Thomas Stoppini. On Tuesday, May 22, 40 students visited, and on Thursday, May 24, 30 students visited.

On Wednesday, May 23, the visitor group was composed of over 30 New York City Librarians from the New York City Department of Education.

All three groups were treated to a special, temporary exhibit which included three main topics on which the A.P. Students had been focused this past year:

Founding Fathers
Theodore Roosevelt
Knights Templar

The table with the Founding Fathers material from the collection held the following amazing artifacts:

1. The George Washington Masonic Letter, Portrait and Locket of his hair, 1782
2. The George Washington-signed muster request letter to Col. Greene, 1780
3. The American Union Lodge No. 1 Military Lodge Minutes Book, 1776-1779
4. The Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, Poughkeepsie, NY Minutes Book, 1771-1784, with Benedict Arnold visit, Benedict Arnold denouncement, and George Washington Visit
5. The Benjamin Franklin gold and ivory trowel, late 1700s
6. George Washington Relics and Steel Plate engraving: a) a piece of wood from his coffin; b) a piece of wood from the elm tree under which he took command of the army; c) a piece of wood from a magnolia he planted at Mount Vernon, and d) a steel plate engraving of his portrait.
7. A pamphlet with George Washington as a Mason on the cover, and an original engraving of Benjamin Franklin

The Table with the Theodore Roosevelt material held:

1. A 1903 letter and envelope (on White House stationary)  from Brother Roosevelt to MW William E. English, Grand Master of Masons in the State of Indiana
2. A 1904 regrets letter (on White House stationary) from Brother Roosevelt to MW John Stewart, Grand Master 1895-1897, in reference to an invitation by Albion Lodge No. 26
3. A 1932 letter (on the stationary of the Office of the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands) to MW Charles Johnson, Grand Master 1930-1932, Grand Secretary 1932-1946, about Brother Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address, a copy of which he sent to MW Johnson (also on display)
4. An 1884-1885 Trow’s New York Directory showing Brother Roosevelt’s NYC residence
5. Two photographs: one with Brother Roosevelt as a Master Mason, and one in which his membership certificate signed by MW Edward M.L. Ehlers, Grand Secretary 1883-1917 and Honorary Past Grand Master 1901, is being examined by MW Judge Nathan Turk, Past Grand Master 1956-1957
6. Valentine’s Manual of Corporation, City of New York, 1870, showing a map of the then-NYC Police precincts
7. An engraving by J. Conacher of the 28 East 20th Street NYC building in which Theodore Roosevelt was born
8. A biography of Theodore Roosevelt
9. A booklet titled,  Our Patriotic President

The Knights Templar table held:

1. The Knights Templar Certificate of Andrew Robbs, from Lodge No. 753, Rooskey, Ireland 1806, signed by William Gamble as Secretary
2. Pages from a 1753 pamphlet about the Orders of Knighthood
3. A Grand Commander Jewel, 1898, Sir Knight Henry Brewer Quinby, Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of New Hampshire
4. A book documenting Boston Commandery’s California Pilgrimage of 1883 to the 22nd Triennial Conclave
5. Four rare books from the Collection related to the Knights Templar
6. Two Grand Encampment commemorative pamphlets

Also on exhibit was the Certificate signed by Paul Revere, 1782:

As an interesting associated item, there was also the Marquis de Lafayette Apron, 1820s, and a newspaper article showing the dinner seating for the 1824 dinner which the Grand Lodge of New York gave to honor the Marquis de Lafayette.

Additionally, on display was an 1801 letter written by MW Robert R Livingston, Grand  Master 1784-1800, after whom the Library is named, as well as an original engraving of him:

The Library is thrilled to share the collections with the membership, and with the general public, in furtherance of our Mission.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if your Lodge, District, Association, class or group (Masonic or non-Masonic) would like to have a similar temporary exhibit mounted for a special visit or event. Please give us at least one month advance notice to design the exhibit.

Photographs by:
Mr. Joseph Patzner, Librarian pro tem  – (Overhead images of the tables)
Ms. Catherine Walter, Curator – (GW letter)
Ms. Ratirat Osiri, Assistant Curator – (All other images)

The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York is pleased, proud and very happy to announce that the Free Monthly Lecture Series has found a Sponsor for the next seven Lectures.

We thank, so very much, The Square Club of the Fourth Masonic District of Manhattan, Inc. for their Sponsorship! We are deeply grateful for their support.

The website for The Square Club of the Fourth Masonic District of Manhattan, Inc. is  https://www.4msquareclub.org/. Should there be any questions for the Square Club, please contact them at 4msquareclub@gmail.com.

As the Library is a not-for-profit, New York State Chartered Association Library, donations such as this and those that come to us through the Masonic Brotherhood Fund help the staff fulfill the mission of the Library.

The Mission of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library is to collect, preserve, interpret, and make available for education and research, to both members of the Fraternity and others, such materials as relate to the history, philosophy, culture, and organization of Freemasonry, in its social and historical contexts, with a special emphasis on Freemasonry in New York State.

Image Courtesy: The Square Club of the Fourth Masonic District of Manhattan, Inc.

Copyright 2014: The Square Club;
Copyright 2014: The Glorious Fourth

On November 30, 2017, the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library was honored to have Most Worshipful Daniel Semel as our Speaker for the Month. His lecture, The First Jewish Grand Master, was extremely well received by our robust audience.

Tracing back into our Grand Lodge’s history, M∴W∴ Brother Semel highlighted several prominent New York Jews who were members of the Fraternity. He noted that M∴W∴ Harry Ostrov (1962-1963) was thought to be the earliest Jewish Grand Master in New York State – M∴W∴ Brother Ostrov is characterized as such in his 1995 obituary in our Grand Lodge Proceedings. Brother Semel challenged this idea, by focusing on M∴W∴ Isaac Phillips (1849-1852) and M∴W∴ Mordecai Myers (1853-1856). Both were New York Grand Lodge Grand Masters who were Jewish, but have been overlooked and, until recently, omitted from our list of Past Grand Masters. M∴W∴ Brother Semel delved into the colorful history of both men, and their public service in addition to their Masonic contributions.

M∴W∴ Semel’s hope is that members of the Fraternity will take this information, and research further into men like M∴W∴ Isaac Phillips and M∴W∴ Mordecai Myers.

Our Lecture Series typically run on the last Thursday of every month! Don’t forget to RSVP to our next lecture on December 14, with RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon reprising his lecture, “Solomon’s Temple: Separating Fact from Fiction.”

Next time you come to the Library, make sure to check out our 3 new books that were recently added to the collection!

Reclaiming the Soul of Freemasonry by Sovereign Grand Commander John Wm. McNaughton

[Call Number: M11 M232]

If you were ever interested in seeing contemporary Freemasonry being  presented as infographics, this is the book for you! In our technology driven society, McNaughton has collected statistical analysis on survey data. He uses this data to support many valid points concerning how Freemasonry resonates with Millennials, and future endeavors of increasing membership.

A Place in the Lodge: Dr. Rob Morris, Freemasonry and the Order of the Eastern Star by Nancy Stearms Theiss, Phd

[Call Number: 921 T34]

Theiss has written a fascinating new biography on Rob Morris, that stems from her transcription and research into Morris’ family letters that were previously unpublished. Known as the man who worked to establish the Order of the Eastern Order, these letters help to give the reader a better sense of the man himself.

Haunted Chambers: The Lives of Early Women Freemasons by Karen Kidd

Tracing back to the medieval era, Kidd unveils the lives of women who were involved as both Operative and Speculative Freemasons. Through her research, she has been able to compile one of the most complete lists of early women Freemasons. By presenting Freemasonry from this particular perspective, Kidd highlights an often marginalized part of history.

Come to the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library to see 2 new exhibits, displaying material from the Library and Archives Department!

If you are interested in music, make sure to check out our new exhibit, Keys of the Craft: Masonic Musicians Through the Ages! We highlight a few major composers whose work was influenced by their Masonic background, including John Philip Sousa and Jean Sibelius. Ranging from tickets to vinyl records, this exhibit highlights the wide breadth of musical material that our collection holds!

Click here to see our playlist, with songs that helped inspire this exhibit!

If you have seen the famous 1975 movie by John Huston, entitled The Man Who Would Be King, please stop by our other new exhibit, Rudyard Kipling: From Book To Screen. Having found original movie stills from the film, we have displayed these photographs, alongside both the source material and original screenplay! If you have time, make sure to stop by the Library’s front desk to ask to see our other stills from this movie that did not make their way into the exhibition case.

We look forward to seeing you, at the Library!

By Joseph Patzner

As there is increasing motivation to digitize records to expand accessibility, evaluating the breadth and condition of the materials selected for digitization is required. Additionally, making note of any idiosyncrasies, like photos glued onto a sheet of paper, loose pages within a bound book, or a tight binding, can help aid in understanding how materials will be processed.

When assessing the condition of materials selected for scanning, each item is given an individual entry, where I take notes about the type of material (bound, loose material) and damage. During my most recent project, I found that materials from the 19^th century tend to have spines and bindings that are in poor condition, primarily due to age, while more modern material tends to consist of loose material in binders. If I find any damage, I photograph the damage to assure the Lodges that the material was not damaged while on loan to be digitized. When looking at the types of material, if there are loose news clippings or photographs, I’ll note that these materials need to be rehoused in order to ensure the longevity of preservation.

What to look for when preparing to digitize material:

1. Loose or Missing Boards
2. Loose Binding
3. Torn or Missing Pages
4. Loose Papers inserted into a Bound Book
5. News Clippings
6. Loose Photographs

 If you would like individual materials or materials from your lodge digitized, contact our Digital Technician at Digital@nymasoniclibrary.org .

Designing a new exhibit is always somewhat of an adventure, as there must be a concordance between the artifacts which are available and safe to display, the story or theme which is being told, the shape and size of the exhibit cases, the hardware needed to display the artifacts and the amount of signage needed to explain to the viewer what they are seeing and why it is important enough to be on display.

Last year, the Livingston Masonic Library was the grateful recipient of a number of display cases from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, with the coordination of Brother Glenn Visscher at the Grand Lodge of New Jersey and the Livingston Masonic Library’s Board of Trustees, most especially, RW C. F. William Maurer. Five of the cases were installed in the Library on the 14th floor, with two others held in reserve for future exhibits.

Four of the cases were refitted to be used in the ground floor Wendell K. Walker Lounge, and a brand new Masonic Apron Exhibit was unveiled during the Grand Lodge Annual Communication on May 1st and 2nd.

Aprons were chosen out of the vast Apron Collection of the Grand Lodge of New York based on either their historical interest, their symbolic value, their sheer beauty, or their representative nature.

In Display Case 1, there is just one, plain leather apron, the symbolism of which is well-known to every Freemason. Considered to be the “single most important piece of ceremonial regalia,” one of its symbolic meanings, as given to the initiate, is one of innocence and purity.

In Display Case 2, there is a simple leather apron from 1793, with a single symbol, the square and compasses. The addition of symbols to the Masonic apron began with this simple type of adornment.  Also in this case is the stunning Howard Lodge No. 35 apron, worn between 1825-1836.

Included in this case of leather aprons is the Masonic Apron of Brother John Joseph Pershing, General of the Armies 1919 and Commander-in-Chief of the US Forces 1921-1924.

Case 3 holds the Masonic Apron of Most Worshipful Daniel D. Tompkins, Grand Master 1820-1822, NYS Governor 1807-1817 and United States Vice President 1817-1825.

Additionally, in Case 3 is an Apron significant to the Grand Lodge of New York as belonging to Most Worshipful Isaac Phillips, founder and the 1851 Grand Master of the Phillips Grand Lodge (a schism Grand Lodge in existence from 1849-1858). It is also significant in that MW Phillips was an early Jewish Grand Master, dispelling the myth that the Fraternity didn’t accept Jewish members. All the Grand Officers of the Phillips Grand Lodge were accorded legal Past Grand Officer status upon the healing Union in 1858.

In Case 4 are seen a sample of Aprons from some of the many Concordant Bodies, with a Royal Arch apron, a Knights Templar Apron, and a Scottish Rite Apron on display.

This Royal Arch Apron is filled with both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch symbols.

This Knights Templar Apron belonged to Civil War Soldier, Right Worshipful William Gurney, who fought in the 7th NY Militia, the 65th Regiment, NY Volunteers, the 127th NY Volunteer Infantry and also served as the Commander of the Second Brigade in General Abercrombie’s Division.

This Apron Exhibit will have new, fascinating, beautiful and historic aprons switched in on a regular basis, so please don’t hesitate to come to Grand Lodge to view them in person.