Sparta Masonic Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sparta Masonic Temple
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Monroe County Museum (historic Masonic Temple) at the intersection of Court and Main Streets in Sparta, Wisconsin.
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 200 West Main Street, Sparta, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1923 |
| Built by | Naset Brothers |
| Architect | Parkinson & Dockendorff |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001734 |
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1987 |
The Monroe County Museum is a cool old building in Sparta, Wisconsin. It was built in 1923. Back then, it was a special meeting place for a group called the Masonic Lodge. In 1987, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site! Today, it's a museum where you can learn about the history of Monroe County.
Contents
A Special Meeting Place
A group of Masons first started meeting in Sparta way back in 1854. For many years, they met in people's homes. Later, in 1891, they built their first special meeting hall. This hall was located at the corner of Main and Water Streets.
Building a New Lodge
By 1919, the Masons needed a bigger space. Their old building was too small for all the members. So, they bought some land and started planning a brand new building. This new building is the one you can see today.
The new Masonic Temple in Sparta was finished in 1923. Its construction took a bit longer than planned. This was because there was a shortage of steel. This shortage happened because of World War I, which had just ended.
Designed with Style
The building was designed by architects named Parkinson & Dockendorff. They were from La Crosse, Wisconsin. They combined two cool styles of architecture.
- Classical Revival style: This style uses ideas from old Greek and Roman buildings. It often has grand, balanced shapes.
- Prairie Style: This style was popular in the Midwest. It features low, flat roofs and wide eaves. It often blends well with the flat landscape.
The building's frame is made of strong concrete and steel. The outside is covered in cream-colored bricks. The roof is covered with red tiles, which adds a nice touch.
Inside the Museum
When the building first opened in 1923, the local newspaper, the Sparta Herald, described the inside. It sounded like a very fancy place!
You would enter through a hallway with shiny marble walls. This led to the main hall. From there, you could go into a big dining room.
Rooms for Everyone
On one side of the entrance, there was a special room for ladies. Next to that was a "living room" for the lodge members. It had comfy leather couches and chairs. There was even a cozy fireplace!
On the other side of the entrance, there was a cloakroom for men. There was also a bright and pleasant room for playing cards and visiting. Members could relax, smoke, and chat there.
The Dining Hall
The large dining room had a polished maple wood floor. It was perfect for serving food and holding banquets. It was also used for dancing and social events. There was even a stage for musicians to play music.
The kitchen was well-equipped. It had lots of cupboards and shelves for dishes and supplies. It even had two different kinds of stoves for cooking. The kitchen was designed to be bright and pleasant for those working there.
From Lodge to Museum
In 1987, the Monroe County Historical Society bought the building. They turned it into the Monroe County Museum.
Today, the museum has many interesting exhibits. You can learn about:
- Important people from Monroe County.
- Pioneer history, showing how early settlers lived.
- Agriculture, about farming and crops.
- Military history, about soldiers and wars.
- Local businesses and industries.
- How homes and daily life have changed over time.
