Brother Benjamin Franklin: Setting an Example for Freemasons Today

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This presentation focuses on how Brother Benjamin Franklin lived his life practicing important Masonic principles and how he sets a great example for Freemasons today to live their lives according to these values. Attend Virtually Attend Live Brother Craig Brody Craig Brody is a Past Master of Columbia Lodge [...]

A Revolutionary Fraternity: Freemasons and the Global Fights for Liberty in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

While many are familiar with the role Freemasons played in the American Revolution, the Craft and its members were also essential to numerous struggles against tyranny that occurred across the globe in the 18th and 19th centuries. This presentation will examine the role of various notable Masonic revolutionaries in the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean [...]

The History of the Liberty Tree

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Although few today know the story of the Liberty Tree, in the years leading up to the American Revolution, local patriots in each of the 13 colonials, who called themselves the “Sons of Liberty,” identified a large tree to be used as a meeting place. Where there was no suitable tree, a large pole [...]

Raising the Nile: Ethnicity & Politics in the U.G.L.E. Masonic Lodges of British Egypt, 1860-1956

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The history of Freemasonry in modern Egypt dates back to the Napoleonic Campaign in Egypt and Syria; however, Freemasonry did not take a firm hold until several decades later. Following the political reforms enacted by Egyptian Khedive Muhammad Ali, Europeans began to have a more prominent presence in Egypt, and by the 1880s, Egypt [...]

What Made You Join Freemasonry and What Did You Expect?

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Freemasonry as an institution promises nothing, absolutely nothing, but she returns with interest – compound interest, if you please – all that we commit to her care. What do YOU expect to get OUT of Freemasonry? What are YOU putting IN? Let’s explore these profound questions together! Attend Virtually Attend Live [...]

Illuminati, Freemasonry and the Psychology of Conspiracy Theories: Protecting the Craft

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This presentation will discuss Freemasonry and Illuminati: the real Illuminati, who are long gone, and the fake Illuminati, who never existed and won’t go away. Learn about the psychology of conspiracy theories and why Freemasonry can be such a frequent target of them, as well as ways Masons can respond when accused of being [...]

Researching & Writing “Doneraile Court: The Story of The Lady Freemason”

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

In her book, Kathleen Aldworth Foster details the life and times of The Lady Freemason, Elizabeth (St. Leger) Aldworth. Elizabeth's journey with Freemasonry began in the pre-Grand Lodge era and ended when she died in 1773/1775, at the dawning of the American Revolution. During this time, Elizabeth went from her unexpected initiation to being an [...]

Shriners Children’s Philadelphia

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

At Shriners Children’s, we are grateful for the vision of the Shriners who led to the creation of our healthcare system. We look forward to a second century of changing and improving the lives of children. Since opening our first hospital in 1922, we have been devoted to providing high quality, specialty medical care [...]

Mozart’s Masonic Opera

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is arguably the most famous classical composer of all time. He composed about 600 pieces of music, some of which were created specifically for Masonic degrees and events. Most people know of his achievements in music, but little is spoken of his Masonic or political life. His final opera, “The Magic [...]

Reconstructing a Late Victorian Templar Uniform Frock

The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Unlike their counterparts in Ireland and Great Britain, American Templars wear uniforms inspired by the style of contemporary military uniforms. Following the Civil War, the Grand Encampment set down formal uniform rules that all Grand Commanderies were to follow. These included a knee length frock coat, which would remain a staple of military uniforms [...]