Brother John Minott, 74, a longtime tour guide at the Masonic Temple, sadly passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. John brought the Masonic Temple to life for visitors, both local and international, for over 30 years as a skilled tour guide.

The Masonic Temple Library & Museum welcomes more than 14,000 visitors annually. The 150-year-old building features seven distinct lodge rooms, a Grand Ballroom, ornate stairwells and corridors, an exhibit hall and a full basement containing a banquet hall and offices.

Santé Johnson was looking to utilize her embroidery skills in a community-based setting, and the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania was the perfect fit.  

When you visit the Masonic Temple and Masonic Library & Museum, one of the people you’ll meet is Cathy Giaimo, who has worked as a librarian for nearly 25 years.

The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia will be conducting a limited series of tours focused around the Temple's magnificent art collection. The first set of art-themed tours will highlight our wonderful collection of William Rush sculpture.

“Freemasonry has shaped so much of US history – the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum brings history to life,” Hunter Winters, Carlisle Lodge No. 260, said, when asked why people should visit. He was a part of that process for five weeks this summer when he interned there.

Those of our readers with long memories may ask, “How can we celebrate 200 years in 2017, when we just celebrated 100 years in 1971?” This time, we celebrate the organization, in 1817, of the original committee charged with putting the cherished, but “back-burner” idea into action.