Located on the grounds of the Supreme Council, 33°, of the Northern MasonicJurisdiction, the National HeritageMuseum opened in 1975.

Thirty years ago the National Heritage Museum opened as a celebration of American history. The museum was created and is supported by the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The museum’s genesis occurred in 1969 when the Supreme Council moved its headquarters from Boston to a large mansion and estate in Lexington, Massachusetts. The new headquarters, however, did not have the facilities to properly display and preserve the Supreme Council’s sizable Masonic library and historical archives and artifacts. Then Grand Commander George Newbury initiated a long-term project to acquire adjacent property to the headquarters to build a library and museum.

In 1972 Commander Newbury announced, “We are not planning a place to simply store and exhibit memorabilia of an historical nature. Rather we plan on using that material to tell a thrilling story—the story of America.” Within two years the Supreme Council had approved of the architectural plans, broken ground, and determined the museum’s purpose. The newly christened “Museum of Our National Heritage” would be a gift—free to the public—from the Scottish Rite to the American people in celebration of the bicentennial of the nation. The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts dedicated the museum’s cornerstone at the official opening on Patriots Day, April 20, 1975. Since that day, the Museum, although shortening its name to the “National Heritage Museum,” has engaged in a continuous celebration of freedom, dedication to country, and devotion to its ideals through its exhibitions and programs.

In more than 270 exhibitions, contained within six display areas, the Museum has presented a wide variety of topics, historical themes, and styles. Beginning with the first displays on Civil War drawings and early American quilts, other exhibits have presented the history of the American Revolution, the Amish, Boston Jewish life, American diners, Navaho rugs, Shaker furniture, and a celebration of Route 66. Current exhibitions are “September 11: Bearing Witness to History,” from the Smithsonian Institution, and “Blue Monday: Doing Laundry in America.”

Complementing the American-related exhibitions, the museum has presented several exhibitions related to Freemasonry and American fraternal organizations. Beginning with “Masonic Symbols in American Decorative Arts” in 1975, other past exhibits included a presentation of early American Masonic aprons, a history of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the current exhibition, “To Build and Sustain: Freemasons in American Community.”

The museum has present several exhibitions on Freemasonry and American fraternal organizations. Currently running is “To Build & Sustain: Freemasons and American Communities”

Over the years the museum has published several accompanying exhibition catalogs and books. They include Barbara Franco’s Bespangled, Painted and Embroidered: Decorated Masonic Aprons in America (1980) and Fraternally Yours (1985), John Hamilton’s Material Culture of American Freemasons (1995), this author’s American Freemasons (2005), and Ian Quimby’s American Family Treasures: Decorative Arts from the D. J. and Alice Shumway Nadeau Collection (2005).

In addition to the ever-changing exhibitions, the Museum also presents workshops, lectures, family programs, concerts, and films throughout the year. Hosting many public and community events is a 400-seat auditorium named after past Grand Commander Stanley F. Maxwell, 33°. The Heritage Lecture Series features nationally renowned speakers, including filmmaker Ken Burns. The popular Heritage Music Series presents icons of folk, jazz, and bluegrass, like Livingston Taylor, Patty Larkin, and banjoist Tony Trischka.

At the Museum’s foundation is its large collection of historical artifacts, archives and library. The Museum’s permanent collection of more 16,000 objects is primarily related to Masonic and fraternal history. Not only does the museum hold the Supreme Council’s collection, but it also holds probably the largest public collections related to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and other American fraternal organizations. The museum also holds fine and decorative art objects, including a rare 15-star flag, made between 1795 and 1818 that is on permanent display.

The most significant addition to the museum came with the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts placing on long-term loan it vast historical museum collections. Containing an estimated 8,000 items, the collection documents the whole history of Massachusetts Freemasonry back to the early 1700s. Contained within the collection are dozens of early aprons and important objects related to the formation of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and other Masonic bodies.

The Van Gorden-Williams Library located in the Museum, is a research facility that specializes in Masonic, fraternal, and American history. Named after two distinguished Scottish Rite Freemasons, John H. Van Gorden, 33° and Louis Williams, 33°, the Library holds some 50,000 books and 1,600 serial titles, and the archives contain 2,000 cubic feet of archival material and special collections. The Supreme Council’s old library of some 30,000 books constitutes the core of these holdings. Within the library’s vault are the founding documents of the N.M.J., some of the early copies of Scottish Rite rituals, and hundreds of rare and important Masonic books. Supplementing these collections are nearly 5,000 Masonic and fraternal postcards and dozens of old fraternal regalia manufactures’ catalogs. The library welcomes both the casual visitor and serious researcher.

In addition to exhibitions and the library, the Heritage Shop invites browsing with its distinctive books, jewelry, and reproduction of Americana. The lush greenery of the charming Courtyard Café provides a respite for visitors and features fresh soups, specialty salads and sandwiches, and luscious desserts. The Museum facilities are available for rent and feature a state-of-the-art conference center, auditorium, and other spaces for public and private meetings.

The Museum is open seven days a week, year round, with free admission and parking. Visitors are welcome at the museum’s gift shop and to enjoy its café for lunch and snacks. For more information on the Museum, its exhibitions, programs, or guided tours please call 781-457-4100 or visit the web site: www.monh.org.