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1. Main Entrance
  As you approach the building, the steps that lead to the bronze door rise in groups of three, five, seven, and nine. These numbers have a symbolic meaning in rituals of Freemasonry. There are 33 outer columns which are each 33 feet high. In front of the entrance in bronze set into the slabs of the granite floor is an inscription:
“The temple of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, Erected to God and Dedicated to the Service of humanity, Salve Frater!”
The frieze over the outside entrance has a second inscription: “Freemasonry Builds its Temples in the Hearts of Men and Among Nations.”
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2. Sphinxes
  There are two solid block limestone sphinxes that seemingly guard the entrance. The one on the right of the door (with its eyes half closed) is a symbol of Wisdom. The one on the left (with its eyes open and alert) is a symbol of Power. Each sphinx weighs 17 tons and was carved out of a solid piece of stone quarried at Bedford, Indiana.
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 3. Atrium
The Atrium, spacious and inviting, sounds the first notes of light, life, and welcome which are characteristic of the building. The foyer (between the two front doors) contains two tablets with inscriptions. One commemorates the cornerstone laying, October 18, 1911, while the other commemorates the dedication and opening of the building on October 18, 1915. At that time, the House of the Temple cost two million dollars to complete.
The Atrium is the central court of the Temple, where visitors are welcomed and given their first view of the majesty of the Temple's design and architecture. The Atrium is paved with Tavernelle marble, centered and bordered with dark green antique marble. Eight marble benches, echoing the design of the central table, are located in recesses in the ambulatory formed by eight huge Doric columns of polished green Windsor granite. The limestone walls reach up to the ceiling beams.
Bronze plaques surround the walls which bear Masonic emblems including: a lighted taper, a pelican feeding its young, Saint Andrew’s cross, a Teutonic cross with Eagle super-imposed, a winged globe and basilisks.
The lamps are made of bronze, with the head of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. They have alabaster bowls on top which provide a soft glow. The chandeliers have Greek figures surrounding large alabaster bowls. The chairs were modeled after the High Priest’s seat in the theater of Dionysius on the slopes of the Acropolis in Athens. (They added the 33rd Degree eagle logo.)
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 4. Marble table
The table is made of Pavanazzo marble from Italy. A double-headed eagle, the chief symbol of Scottish Rite Masonry, supports it, with the words Salve Frater or “Welcome Brother” carved on the side.
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 5. Egyptian Statues
The Egyptian style statues at the foot of the Grand Staircase are representative of guards to a portal or entrance. Each is carved from a solid piece of marble quarried on the shores of Lake Champlain in New York state. Each statue carries a hieroglyphic inscription. Freely translated by the Metropolitan Museum of New York, they read: "Established to the Glory of God" and "Dedicated to the teaching of wisdom to those men working to make a strong nation."
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6. Grand Commander’s Office and Grand Executive Director’s Office
Along the sides of the atrium are offices of the Grand Commander (left) and Grand Executive Director (right).
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 7. Executive Chamber
Leaving the Atrium, we enter the Executive Chamber; the room in which the Supreme Council meets in session. The room contains 33 seats, one for each of the 33 members of the Council. The Grand Commander's chair is under the canopy and is, as all the woodwork in the room, of walnut. The ceiling has gold inlay, while the walls are heavy plaster, beautifully marbled and accented with black leaf and vine painting.
The carpeting was designed for the room by the Stark Carpet Corporation which also designed the carpet for the Capitol Building. It was woven to specifications in China. Etched glass ceiling panels soften and diffuse the light, and provide an aesthetic climax in the room.
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 8. Pillars of Charity
In developing his original concept for the House of the Temple in 1911, Pope created a "light well," located at the middle landing of the marble staircase leading from the Atrium to the Banquet Hall, in the heart of the building. A window covered by a bronze grid admitted partial light through this opening.
In 1944 and 1953, by special permission of the United States Congress, the remains of Sovereign Grand Commanders Albert Pike and, later, John Henry Cowles were placed in vaults to either side of the light well. Memorial busts of Pike and Cowles, each on a marble pedestal, were added at that time.
In 1990, The Supreme Council, 33°, decided to enhance and utilize this area by creating an exquisite memorial alcove as a place of special recognition for those whose generous gifts have advanced the work of the Scottish Rite. At that time Brother John D. Melius, 33°, was selected to work closely with Brother Donald Hogan Misner, 32°, KCCH, to ensure the architectural harmony, structural integrity, and cost effectiveness of the Pillars of Charity Alcove. In order to utilize fully Pope's light well, Brother Melius suggested a stained-glass window as the centerpiece of the Alcove. The result of refining several proposed versions, the present window depicts the Scottish Rite Eagle with 33 beams of light radiating to an exterior view of the House of the Temple itself. The window was constructed by one of America's premier stained-glass companies, the Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia.
Also, the magnificently detailed stone and woodwork of the entrance to the Pillars of Charity Alcove, as well as the Alcove's highly decorated walls and ceiling, are the meticulous work of Harold C. Vogel, one of the master carvers of the Washington National Cathedral. The left and right walls of the Alcove, for instance, are inset with exquisite scale reproductions of the Alcove's signature Ionic column motif. Under each of these columns is a dedicatory plaque honoring a significant contributor to the Scottish Rite.
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9. Library Reading Room and 10. Library Stacks
  As the oldest library open to the public in the District of Columbia, we welcome visitors to tour our library and enjoy our magnificent collections. The first Masonic book printed in America by Benjamin Franklin in 1734 is Anderson’s Constitutions. There are only four complete copies known to be in existence, one which is located in our library. This is the premier rare book of Freemasonry. There were 119 copies printed and only five of these were originally bound.
The Ahiman Rezon is another rare book, which the title has been translated to mean “The Will of Selected Brethren” and “The Secrets of a Prepared Brother.” It became a handbook of Masonic law. Other artifacts to note include the Bible used at George Washington's funeral (on loan from Federal Lodge No. 1, Washington, D.C.), and rare jewels, medals and gifts which fill the remainder of the display cases. The library is open as a reference library, free of charge to the general public. Since 1888, it has grown from eight thousand to over 250,000 volumes.
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11. Gift Center
As you return to the entrance of the building, you will notice our Scottish Rite Gift Shop. The gift shop includes a selection of Scottish Rite books and gifts. Store hours are from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Thursday. Due to historic renovations, the building is not open on Fridays and Saturdays at this time. Phone: 202-777-3136.You can also visit our shop online.
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All photographs of the House of the Temple unless otherwise noted are © Maxwell MacKenzie, Washington, D.C., and may not be used without written permission. Click here for more information.
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