Museum of Freemasonry facts for kids
The Museum of Freemasonry is a special place in Freemasons’ Hall in London. It used to be called the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. This museum is officially recognized and has a very important collection. It's also a charity.
The museum has a huge collection of items related to Freemasonry. Freemasonry is a social group with old traditions. You can see ceremonial objects, jewelry, and special clothing. They also have old books, prints, and handwritten papers. These items show the history of English Freemasonry.
The museum also collects things from other similar groups. These include the Oddfellows and friendly societies.
The Museum of Freemasonry is open to everyone. You can visit from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. The best part is, it's completely free to enter!
Contents
Discover the Museum's History
The idea for the museum started a long time ago. In 1838, a group called the United Grand Lodge of England decided to create a collection. They wanted a place to keep books, old papers, and interesting objects about Freemasonry.
By 1841, the Library and Museum was open. At first, only English Freemasons could visit. In 1933, a new Freemasons’ Hall was built. This new building had a special space just for the Library and Museum. This was a big step for the collection.
In the 1980s, the museum started opening its doors to the public. This meant anyone could visit on certain days. In 1996, the Library and Museum became a charity. This helped it grow and collect even more items.
Since 2001, the museum has been making its collection available online. They also started having public exhibitions. These shows help people learn more about Freemasonry.
Explore the Freemasons' Hall Building
The Museum of Freemasonry is on the first floor of Freemasons' Hall. This grand building is on Great Queen Street in London. It's a famous landmark near Covent Garden.
Architects Ashley and Newman designed the building. It was finished in 1933. The style is called Art Deco, which was popular at the time. Today, it's a Grade II* listed building. This means it's very important historically.
Besides the museum, Freemasons' Hall has many rooms. It has a large Grand Temple and meeting rooms. It's also a popular spot for movies and TV shows. You might have seen it in James Bond films or TV series like The Crown.
The Museum of Freemasonry offers free tours of the building. You can see the Grand Temple and other areas. It's a great way to learn about the building's history. Remember to book ahead if you are with a group.
What You Can Do at the Museum
Research in the Library and Archives
The Museum of Freemasonry has a huge library. It also has many old records in its archives. These are great for doing research. You can even look up your family history!
They have over 1.7 million names in their digital records. These records go all the way back to 1751.
The museum has worked with the University of Sheffield. They helped to put a book called John Lane’s Masonic Records online. This book lists all the Freemason lodges from 1717 to 1894.
You can also find old Freemason magazines online. These include The Freemasons’ Quarterly Review and The Freemason. They are from the 1790s up to the early 1900s.
The library also holds a rare collection of very old books. These books are over 400 years old. They are about a group called the Rosicrucians.
Discover Amazing Exhibitions
Since the 1980s, the museum has shown special exhibitions. These shows focus on different topics. They are open to everyone.
In 2017, a big exhibition opened. It was called Three Centuries of English Freemasonry. This show celebrated 300 years since the first Grand Lodge of England was formed.
Other recent exhibitions include:
- Bejewelled: Badges, Brotherhood and Identity (2018–2019)
- Brethren Beyond the Seas (2017–2018)
- Healing Through Kindness (2016–2017)
- Spotlight: Freemasons and Entertainment (2015–2016)
- Treasures of the SRIA
Learn and Explore More
You can search the museum's collection online for free. It's a great way to see what they have.
The museum also offers free talks and workshops. You can learn about Freemasonry or how to research your family history. They also take part in big events like Museums at Night and Open House London.
The Museum of Freemasonry is part of a group called Museum Mile, London. This group includes many museums in the London Borough of Camden.
Famous Freemasons You Might Know
The Museum of Freemasonry has items from many famous people. These individuals were also Freemasons. Here are a few of them:
- King George IV (1762–1830), a British king
- King Edward VII (1841–1910), another British king
- Prince Augustus Frederick, The Duke of Sussex (1773–1843), a British royal
- Winston Churchill (1874–1965), a famous British Prime Minister
- Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (1850–1916), a British Army leader
- Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), an Irish writer
- Malcolm Campbell (1885–1948), a British speed record holder
- Alvin Langdon Coburn (1882–1966), an American photographer
- Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939), a Czech artist
- Johan Zoffany (1733–1810), a German painter
- Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936), a British writer and poet
- Wally Hammond (1903–1965), a British cricket player
- Herbert Sutcliffe (1894–1978), another British cricket player
