Warrington Museum of Freemasonry

Warrington Museum of Freemasonry The Museum began through a concerted effort to bring together a number of artefacts and documents stored randomly within the Warrington Masonic Hall.

Founded 2010, Accredited 2018
Our aim is to stimulate public interest in the history and development of Freemasonry and to establish the Museum as part of the Warrington Cultural scene revitalising its place in the community. The process developed over a period of three years and as the number and quality of the potential exhibits increased, a number of display cabinets were acquired to both house

and display them. Contact has been made with the Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, which operates as part of the Culture Warrington initiative and they in turn have provided advice and an informal mentoring facility. Links have also been established with the archive section at the Freemasons Hall in Great Queen Street, London. The Museum is housed in the Warrington Masonic Hall Winmarleigh Street which is a locally listed building of some considerable historic interest. Warrington has a strong connection with Freemasonry, Elias Ashmole, the celebrated antiquary, who established “The Ashmolean”, England’s first public museum in 1683 at Oxford and his cousin by marriage, Colonel Henry Mainwaring, were made Freemasons in Warrington, in 1646. Elias Ashmole is the first recorded freemason in England. The development of Freemasonry in Warrington involved a number of different meeting places, mainly public houses or coaching inns, until in the 1930’s, the land was purchased and the building used today was built, the first meeting being held in September 1933. In that building, what subsequently became a large committee room was designated “Masonic Library and Study Room”, this is the room where now appropriately the library and museum is based.

Dear FriendsIn commemoration of the formation of the East & West Lancashire Divisions of Lancashire Freemasonry which to...
30/04/2026

Dear Friends

In commemoration of the formation of the East & West Lancashire Divisions of Lancashire Freemasonry which took place 200 years ago, a sumptuous 8 course banquet (not Banquette as in the poster!) is to be held in Warrington Masonic Hall on the 12th June commencing at 6.30pm til late . It is an opportunity to sample the best foods from our region with an 8 course 'tasting menu' banquet with each course accompanied with a wine pairing (served as tasting measures).

It promises to be quite an occasion serving to celebrate our respective regions and we do hope you can join us in this celebration with masons, non masons, friends, and partners, looking to enjoy a special evening with a distinctive Lancashire flavour and its heritage!

Bookings to be made direct to Warrington Masonic Hall by either telephone or email as given below;

Ticket price - £45 per head includes canapes on arrival, 8 course tasting menu, c/w wine pairings served as tasting measures. Full Menu choices only to be selected (please state if vegetarian option required)
Telephone ; 01928 651468
email ; [email protected]

12/02/2026
01/02/2026
01/02/2026

The wonderful Jade Murphy sent us this video to share with you all. Many thanks Jade great job! Keep a look our for more from Jade!

Hello friends of the Warrington Museum of Freemasonry. It’s that time of year again and we would love to see you all aga...
15/01/2026

Hello friends of the Warrington Museum of Freemasonry. It’s that time of year again and we would love to see you all again and tell you of our plans for 2026 for the museum and see our latest exhibits! Make a note in your diaries for the 17th February for a supper evening for a reasonable £17 per head 2 course supper.

06/01/2026

Happy New Year !

Following our heritage Open Days Exhibition, "The Grand Lodge at Wigan" Lodge of Sincerity No 3677 in Wigan loaned us th...
30/10/2025

Following our heritage Open Days Exhibition, "The Grand Lodge at Wigan" Lodge of Sincerity No 3677 in Wigan loaned us the Grand Masters Chair and other important items on loan from The Museum of Freemasonry in London. The Grand Lodge at Wigan, Grand Masters Chair and Candlesticks have now been safely homed in the Robing Room of Warrington Masonic Hall in a Perspex case, skillfully resized by Vic, Jim and Lee.

The Liverpool Rebellion and The Grand Lodge at Wigan Part 2Not all Freemasons Lodges became part of the Premier Grand Lo...
09/09/2025

The Liverpool Rebellion and The Grand Lodge at Wigan
Part 2

Not all Freemasons Lodges became part of the Premier Grand Lodge; some continued to act Independently as they always had.

Some of the Lodges within the “Premier Grand Lodge” were not in favour of the way in which rituals and the running of the Lodges were altered. This caused disharmony especially in the more Northern areas of the Country where practices from Irish and Scottish Masons were often included in their rituals.

In 1751, The Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons according to the Old Constitutions (Ancient Grand Lodge of England) was formed, They nicknamed the Premier Grand Lodge “The Moderns”. They disagreed with some of the more modern practices and their “elitism.”

Their first Grand Master was Laurence Dermott, who went on to write their Constitutions when he became Grand Secretary, eight editions were published between 1756 and 1813.

In preparation for our Heritage Open Days this weekend 13th and 14th September The Liverpool Rebellion and The Grand Lod...
09/09/2025

In preparation for our Heritage Open Days this weekend 13th and 14th September
The Liverpool Rebellion and The Grand Lodge at Wigan

Setting the scene

This narrative is a very condensed look at the matters which occurred before the development of The Grand Lodge at Wigan.

On June 24th, 1717, four Masonic Lodges met at the Goose and Grid Iron Tavern, St Paul’s Churchyard London, they formed the first Grand Lodge, known as the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster and later as the “Premier Grand Lodge of England. The first Grand Master was Anthony Sayer, a Gentleman.

England was divided into Provinces, broadly based around the existing Counties. Lancashire having been formed in 1734. Each Province had a Grand Master who together with his team oversaw the running of the Province and ensured that the Constitutions were adhered to. Regular papers were distributed to the Provinces and Lodges, informing brethren of carrying out and promoting Freemasonry.

The Premier Grand Lodge of England's constitutions were Published in 1723, complied by Rev James Anderson, four further editions were published between 1738 and 1784.

Not all Freemasons Lodges became part of the Premier Grand Lodge; some continued to act Independently as they always had.

Address

Winmarleigh Street
Warrington
WA11

Opening Hours

9:30am - 12:30pm

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