In Beverley, East Yorkshire, the Treasure House has just opened a new mini-exhibition of its recent acquisitions, the latest in a series of mini-exhibitions.
Featured in the new display are Masonic regalia and other items belonging to Charles Henry Massey and his son Charles Derrick Massey, who were both members of local Masonic lodges.
Dr David Marchant, museums registrar with the council said:
“We were very pleased to receive these colourful and fascinating items as a donation from a relative. We previously had very little in our collections about Freemasonry.
“Although there is a lot of myth and legend surrounding the society, these days it is a charitable organisation, although like many it has its share of regalia and rituals.”
Masonic lodges are the basic units of Freemasonry and are often called private lodges or constituent lodges. It is also a common term for a building in which they meet.
Lodges must be warranted or chartered by Grand Lodges, but are only responsible for enforcing the published constitutions of their jurisdictions.
Beverley Masonic Hall is the home of Constitutional Lodge No 294. It is located near the Minster in Trinity Lane Beverley.
The Lodge has a strong bond of union with two American lodges, namely Liberty Lodge in Beverly, Mass., and Alexandria-Washington Lodge in Virginia, U.S.A. The Brethren value the fraternal relationship with the New World, which has been the subject of many expressions of friendship.
For a period of six months, the display will be on display in the Treasure House museum on the first floor.
