Iowa Masonic Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iowa Masonic Library and Museum |
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Building on March 28, 2011
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| Location | 813 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States |
| Built | 1955 |
| Website | Grand Lodge of Iowa: Library and Museum |
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The Iowa Masonic Library and Museum is a special place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. It's one of the biggest libraries in the world focused on Freemasonry. It also has at least three museum collections for visitors to explore.
This library was the first Masonic library anywhere to have its very own building, which was built way back in 1884. The building you see today was built in 1955. It also holds the main offices for the Grand Lodge of Iowa, which is a group that helps manage Freemasonry in Iowa.
Contents
A Look at History
The idea for the library started in the 1840s. The Grand Lodge decided to use money to buy books about Freemasonry. At first, the library was kept at the home of Theodore S. Parvin. He was the first Grand Librarian and started the collection with just 100 books.
The library moved with him to different cities in Iowa before finally settling in Cedar Rapids in 1884. It has been there ever since. Today, the Masonic Library is one of the top five Masonic libraries in the world. It has over 100,000 books! These books cover both Masonic topics and general subjects. Anyone can visit the library, whether they are Masons or not.
In 2008, the Masonic Library and Museum Association (MLMA) held its yearly meeting here. This was 80 years after a similar meeting took place at the original Masonic Library in Cedar Rapids.
The Prince Hall Collection
The library has a very important collection called the Prince Hall materials. These are books and documents about African American Freemasonry. Experts say it's one of the largest public collections of its kind.
Only a few other places, like the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in Massachusetts, have as many Prince Hall Masonic items.
Exploring the Museum
The Iowa Masonic Library also has three museum collections that are open to everyone. These collections are very large and interesting.
- The first floor has a collection focused on Freemasonry.
- The second floor has a collection of thousands of items that are not related to Freemasonry.
- There's also the Charles H. Swab Memorial collection, which was given to the museum in 1958.
One of the most interesting items you can see is a Civil War flag. This flag was used by an Iowa regiment during the Battle of Champion Hill. In that battle, 97 Iowans were injured or lost their lives.
In 2008, the Masonic Library helped out the African American Museum of Iowa. The museum's own building was flooded during the Iowa flood of 2008, so the Masonic Library became its temporary home.
The Buildings
In 1884, the Iowa Masonic Library became the first Masonic library in the world to have its own dedicated building. This was a big deal!
The building used today was finished in 1955. It cost over a million dollars to build. It is made of beautiful Vermont Marble, and the inside halls have grey marble from Carthage, Missouri. The metal parts of the windows, doors, and stair rails are made of bronze. The main part of the building is over 245 feet long and 50 feet wide. The library section at the west end is 113 feet deep.
On the front of the building, you can see words from the Bible (Amos 7:7): "Behold the Lord upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand."
The building is also part of the Grant Wood Cultural District. This district was recognized in 2010 by the Iowa State Historical Society.
The Grand Lodge of Iowa
The Grand Lodge of Iowa is the main group that guides Freemasonry in the state of Iowa. Its offices are located right at the Iowa Masonic Library and Museum.
The Grand Lodge was started in 1844. At that time, Iowa was still a territory and didn't become a state until two years later. People interested in Masonic history often know about this Grand Lodge because of its amazing library and museum. The museum has many important Masonic and non-Masonic items.
Before the Grand Lodge of Iowa was formed, the first four Masonic lodges in the area were part of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. The history of how these groups connect goes back many years. For example, the Grand Lodge of Scotland helped start the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Then, Tennessee came from North Carolina, Missouri from Tennessee, and Iowa from Missouri.
See also
- List of Masonic libraries
- Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite Temple
