Masonic Temple, Philadelphia
The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia is the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at One North Broad Street. Completed in 1873 to designs by James H. Windrim, it combines Masonic meeting rooms with a library and museum. The building is a National Historic Landmark.[1][2]
Earlier meeting places
The Temple succeeded several earlier Philadelphia Masonic halls. A hall opened in 1811, burned in 1819 and was rebuilt the following year. A larger Gothic building followed in 1855, but it too proved inadequate for the growing membership. Construction of the present Temple began in 1868.[1]
Exterior and interiors
Windrim's design uses a Romanesque exterior, commonly described as Norman in style. The National Park Service's architectural assessment draws particular attention to the entrance porch, designed in 1870 and built in 1871.[3]
George Herzog was responsible for the decoration of the seven lodge halls. Their designs draw on Corinthian, Ionic, Italian Renaissance, Norman, Gothic, Egyptian and other historical forms. The decoration extends across walls, ceilings and furniture, giving the rooms distinct architectural identities.[3]
Completion of the building in 1873 did not mark the end of its decoration. The Temple's institutional history dates the dedication of Egyptian Hall to 1889 and records work on interior designs continuing into 1908.[1]
Use and architectural records
The Temple was planned to accommodate several Masonic organisations. The Historic American Buildings Survey records that the Grand Lodge provided space from the outset for Pennsylvania's Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter and Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, which became tenants in 1873. Local lodges and other bodies also rented rooms for their meetings.[4]
The survey draws on surviving construction records in the Grand Lodge archives, including bids, contracts, specifications and correspondence. These document the selection of suppliers and the committee's attention to workmanship as well as price.[4] The Library of Congress makes the survey available alongside measured drawings and photographs of the building. Its catalogue separates the original construction of 1868–1873 from later campaigns of work, providing a means of studying the Temple's development beyond the date of its opening.[5]
Library and museum
The library predates the present Temple: it was founded in 1817. It collects works on Freemasonry and its relationship to Pennsylvania history, and offers reference and genealogical research services. Its published guidance explains that Grand Lodge membership records concern Pennsylvania; there is no central register covering all American Freemasons.[6]
The museum was founded in 1908 and dedicated by John Wanamaker. Its collections include documents, prints, regalia, ceramics and examples of Masonic folk art.[7]
The library and museum also maintain the historic building, connecting the preservation of its architecture with the care of the collections inside it.[2]
Related articles
- Masonic architecture
- Masonic museums and libraries
- Freemasons' Hall, Dublin
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial
- Masonic buildings and memorials
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Masonic Temple, Library & Museum, History of the Masonic Temple. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Masonic Temple, Library & Museum, The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, institutional introduction.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 National Park Service, Masonic Temple: National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form, sections 7 and 8, including the continuation sheets.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Michael R. Harrison, Masonic Temple, Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS PA-1532, p. 9, owners, occupants, contractors and suppliers.
- ↑ Library of Congress, Masonic Temple, 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS PA-1532, catalogue and drawings.
- ↑ Masonic Temple, Library & Museum, Masonic Library, introduction and genealogy guidance. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Masonic Temple, Library & Museum, Masonic Museum, institutional history and collection categories. Accessed 30 September 2026.
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