For six months, Bro. Bud Michels, a member of the DC Scottish Rite’s speakers committee, tried to contact Don Wildman, host of the “Cities of the Underworld” show through the History Channel’s public website. One day, while Bud was on the website Facebook, he saw a fan page for the show “Cities of the Underworld” and subscribed to it. A few days later, he saw that Don Wildman (the host!) was also a member of the fan page. Since he didn’t know if it was the real Don Wildman, he sent him a note saying he was a fan of the show and that the DC Scottish Rite was always on the lookout for excellent speakers. The next day, Bud received a phone call from Don, who was interested in coming to Washington, D.C. to talk with the Masons. 

For those of you who have not seen the show, Don Wildman is the host of The History Channel’s popular Cities of the Underworld and through his adventures he has come across many exciting findings, some of which, relate to the Masonic craft. In each 44 minute show (run-time), much of the film ends up on the cutting room floor. The DC Scottish Rite invited all Masons to join them for an evening with this exciting explorer to be one of the few to see and hear some of the stories that didn’t make it on the show. According to the History Channel, they travel “hundreds of feet beneath the pavement to reveal hidden worlds that literally make up the foundations of today’s greatest cities.” And, it is true. Wildman explores caves, tombs, sewers, hidden cities and so much more. Many of the show’s programs have some correlation to Freemasonry.

While in DC to talk with the Masons, Wildman was given a private, behind the scenes tour of the Scottish Rite’s House of the Temple. Brothers Jason Van Dyke and Bud Michels provided the tour commentary while Bro. Austin Curtis filmed parts of their tour. That evening, Wildman discussed his adventures around the world as the host of the show at the local DC Scottish Rite. He discussed Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the Cave of Mohammed, Akko and the Crusades, and even the sewers of Washington, D.C. People were able to ask questions and take photographs with the host after the talk. A reception with desserts followed.

Check out the History Channel’s website with clips from the show. Click here.

Photos: Top—Host of the Cities of the Underworld, Don Wildman. Second: Bro. Ralph Mahaney, Bro. Chris Mahaney, Host Don Wildman, Bro. Rahul Razdan, Bro. JD Holt and guest discuss the adventures of Cities of the Underworld. Third: Bud Michels offers some commentary during his introduction of Don Wildman. Photos by Bro. William Baumbach.