Ill. Albert Gallatin Mackey, 33°, was a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and a graduate of the Medical College in Charleston. He was member of St. Andrews Lodge No. 10, afterwards affiliating with Solomon's Lodge No. 1 which he served as Master in 1842. Serving as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina from 1842 to 1867, he became a Knight Templar in South Carolina Encampment No. 1 in 1842, Commander in 1844, and later was made honorary Past Grand Warden of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States. In the Scottish Rite, he was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General in 1844, and in that same year, he became Secretary General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction, a position he held under his death in 1881. And these are only a few of his many Masonic offices.

Albert Gallatin Mackey's outstanding scholarship has had a profound effect upon Freemasonry. He is justly regarded as among the great, if not the greatest of all, Masonic authorities. Many of the more important developments of Masonic law, jurisprudence, and symbolism are due to his research. His work and services as a historian are unsurpassed.

The Masons of the First Masonic District of South Carolina were thrilled when Miss Pauline Mackey, the great granddaughter of Dr. Albert G. Mackey, came to Charleston to make the official presentation of a collection of books and artifacts used by Dr. Mackey. As a token of appreciation for these historic artifacts, the Charleston County Masonic Association named the Library and Museum in honor of Albert G. Mackey, and the room was dedicated on October 29, 1981, with Miss Mackey present. The Library and Museum house a large amount of rare books and old artifacts which have been donated by Masons over the years. All the books have been logged on the computer, and the Lodges of the First Masonic District have cases displaying many historic items.

Also, the Masonic Center itself has many other noted items which should be seen by all visitors. In the large Lodge Room, there is a white marble altar which was presented by Masonic Brethren of Washington, D.C., in 1867. Surrounding this altar are three brass candlesticks presented by the Grand Lodge of Scotland and owned by Union Kilwinning Lodge No. 4. In this same Lodge Room is the A. B. Felgemaker Organ which was made in September 1905 and has provided music in support of our Ancient Rituals for nearly a century. In the foyer of the Masonic Center are 11 marble plaque and one bronze plaque. These plaques represent the 12 Lodges of the First Masonic District and bear the names of the Past Masters of each Lodge and the dates when each served as Worshipful Master. Since the installation of these plaques, a number of Lodges have merged so that the First Masonic District now has 7 Lodges.

There are many other items of interest in the building that are not mentioned here, but they may be seen on your tour of the building, Library, and Museum. Be sure to include the Masonic Center as one of the places to visit while you are here in Charleston during the gala Bicentennial Biennial Session.