Oregon Masonic Museum

01/26/2025

Willamette No. 2 – Old Past Masters 1950

While working on a query for an unrelated Oregon Masonic Lodge I came across this photograph of the ‘old past masters’ of Willamette No. 2. Date of the magazine that it was found in was 1950. Take notice of their Masonic Aprons. Sure seem longer than today’s aprons. Is it just my eyes? My apol...

10/26/2024

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08/16/2024

Centenarian - World Traveler.

While scanning my current project I came across a wonderful article. This Master Mason had some stories to tell.

While scanning my current project I came across a wonderful article. This Master Mason had some stories.  

08/03/2024

After two years of scanning the Oregon Freemason Magazines from 1943-1983 are now available to view in full with the exception of a few years that are missing.

Oregon Freemason Magazines
1943-1983
The Oregon Freemason Magazines were a very important and useful means to sharing information of the happenings of the Oregon Jurisdiction from the 1940’s through the 1980’s. The name of the magazine changed a few times over the decades but was in the end the same magazine from 1940’s-1980’s. This magazine was discontinued around the time the Grand Lodge of Oregon’s “Oregon Masonic News” monthly newsletter was created in the early 1980’s.This document is searchable by keyword.

https://richmondlibrarymuseum.com/oregon-freemason-magazines-1943-1983/

06/20/2024

Trowel and Apron Case

June 20, 2024/0 Comments/in Regalia/by Johnny Edwards

Two wonderful items were donated recently.

A Masonic Trowel. The engraving is done differently than the other trowels that come to the museum. The font is very nice. Not sure how this was done. Very unique item.

Apron Case. The last item is a hand made leather case for a Brothers Master Mason Apron. This was found in a box tightly wrapped in tissue paper.

Always check your boxes before you throw them away.

Two wonderful items were donated recently. A Masonic Trowel. The engraving is done differently than the other trowels that come to the museum. The font is very nice. Not sure how this was done. Very unique item. Apron Case. The last item is a hand made leather case for a Brothers Master Mason Apron....

04/11/2024

District Deputy Aprons of the Grand Lodge of Oregon A.F. & A.M.

The next box ends up being an old box of old DD Aprons.

Recently (2023) our DD's received new aprons. So I am aware of two generations of DD Aprons since I became a Freemason.

These DD Aprons are much older. What year span is not known. They were purchased from London.

They are dirty and used but in good condition

Off to the archives to finally get a long deserved rest

2024-000-460

04/04/2024

When a framed certificate comes into your possession if you are lucky in the back of the certificate / frame might be a surprise hidden. Certificates that are donated are removed from frames for long term preservation reasons.

When the backing of the frame was removed on the back of the 1861 Certificate was the small pocket carrier that the certificate was attached to.

Wonderful insight into how pre cursers to dues cards were carried when a Brother did their Masonic Travels.

W.M H. DREW & CO
Masonic Supplies.

04/04/2024

Exciting donations today at the Museum.

Certificate of Membership from Grand Lodge of New York 1861 for a William Jewett

Shriners panoramic photograph of El Maida Shrine 1938

Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 1940 panoramic photograph.

King of Righteousness Certificate from Council of High Priests of Oregon for MWB H. W. Stanard PGM of Oregon 1945

03/21/2024

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Did you know the Museum & Library are open Monday through Friday and one Saturday per month from 9 AM to 4 PM? Visit our exhibition “From Head to Foot: Fraternal Regalia Illustrations” this Saturday, March 23, 2024.

In the 1900s selling regalia and costumes to fraternal groups became big business. Millions of Americans were members of fraternal groups. Regalia companies attempted to outfit this large consumer base with everything they needed, from head to foot.

The attractive images and advertisements on view in “From Head to Foot: Fraternal Regalia Illustrations” offer insight into the vibrant regalia industry during the 1900s. Learn more about this exhibition in the Winter 2024 edition of The Northern Light: https://bit.ly/4cd6F3e.

03/14/2024

Another wonderful day at the Museum.

I came in today to an exciting surprise.

What is believed to be the first Banner for the Knights Templar Commandery in Oregon.

Thank you to the Brothers of Oregon KT Commandery for this exciting donation.

03/08/2024

Thank you for your understanding while our website is under maintenance.

03/07/2024

One more for today...

A fun little donation today. A box full of goodies. Brother J. Wood family donated his pins, jewelry, OES Dishware and misc histories.

Just a fun collection from a Brother who loved these items.

03/07/2024

Finishing up on a large donation from one of this Grand Jurisdictions most prolific writers. WB Norman D. Peterson. He was a writer, documenter and was very good at collecting interesting articles and using them in his research. I finished copying 133 pages of his hand typed book (c)1975.

"A Documentary Notebook on the Latin Craft"

2024-000-451

03/07/2024

A couple months back while taking Christmas decorations at the Grand Lodge Administration Building back to the attic our Grand Master MWB Craig Sipp asked for me to see what he found. He showed me three large ledgers of the Original Residents of our Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Forest Grove. The date range is from 1927-1957.

The entries show their names when the resident came and went to family or hospital. Lists of children in the orphanage also are detailed.

Valuable insight into our MESH.

2024-000-449 1-3

02/17/2024

The library and museum work day will be changed to Thursdays until further notice.

Thank you.

Johnny J. Edwards
GLO Lib/Mus Chairman

02/16/2024

In the Grand Lodge of Oregon we have what we call, "The Little Purple Book". All new Master Masons should be given one upon their proficiency on the MM Degree. The Little Purple Book is our Etiquette Book we use in Open Lodge and during special occasions.

Today at the GLO Library and Museum a wonderful surprise surfaced in a new pile.

What appears to be the first edition of the Etiquette Book in 8 1/2 x 11 thin typing paper.

I can't share all the pages but I will share the front and introduction which explains why this work was created by these wonderful Brothers of the Committee on Masonic Instruction. No date accompanies the pamphlet.

2024-000-440

02/16/2024

Nifty little piece of history. Copied our old OES Chapter Knowles. Consolidated with Newberg OES Chapter

02/10/2024

Another trip to support my Grand Master of Oregon Craig Sipp. This time we traveled to Newberg No. 104.

https://richmondlibrarymuseum.com/newberg-no-104-gm-ov/