A Publication of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

Preserving Our Past

The National Heritage Museum, which is located at Supreme Council headquarters in Lexington, MA, has accepted the transfer, on a long-term loan basis, of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts collections. The partnership between the two entities provides for more than 5,000 artifacts to be preserved in the museum’s vaults.

The collection, dating to the Grand Lodge’s founding in 1733, contains artifacts relating to the earliest days of Masonry in America and to the nation itself.

Through the process of cataloging, the full richness and importance of the collection will be revealed, and according to Curator Mark A. Tabbert, 32°, “may ultimately change the understanding of Masonic history.”

The Grand Lodge collection will not be available to visitors and scholars for at least two years until the inventory process is completed.

Ritualistic Changes Adopted at NMJ Annual Meeting

Meeting in Milwaukee, the Supreme Council adopted ritualistic changes. Taking effect immediately, Scottish Rite membership will be based on the 4° rather than the 14°. Also adopted were substantial revisions to the 11°, 13°, 21°, 31°, and 32°.

Additionally, several new officers were installed. Having served the constitutional limit as Rhode Island Deputy, Gardner C. Sconyers, 33°, stepped down and was elected Grand Secretary General. Stephen E. Carpenter, 33°, took over as Deputy. Charles E. Ridlon, 33°, was elected Deputy for Maine, a post he was appointed to fill nearly a year ago. SGC Ronald A. Seale, 33°, was elected an Emeritus Member of Honor of the NMJ.

Indianapolis Diamond Jubilee

In September more than 300 people gathered to mark the 75th anniversary of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral. Called the largest building in the world dedicated solely to Scottish Rite Masonry, it remains as magnificent as it was in 1929.

Requiring nearly two years to complete, from the laying of the cornerstone in 1927 to its grand opening, the dedication ceremony took place in September 1929 on the eve of the Great Depression.

Displaying its resiliency the building has adapted nicely to the 21st century. Part of the anniversary celebration this fall was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest 32° Masonic Learning Center for Children, established to combat the effects of dyslexia.