Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania Media Kit

If there’s news at the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, you’ll find it here. We strive to bring you the latest happenings and updates about activities, events, exhibitions and services.

The Masonic Library and Museum, which maintains and preserves the historic Masonic Temple, is located at One North Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia, a few short steps from Philadelphia City Hall.

Phone: 215-988-1900

For admission fees and on-site tours, visit here.

About the Masonic Library and Museum

A Pennsylvania Masonic Charity
 
The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia was constructed in 1873 and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Adorned with some of the finest artifacts of Freemasonry and magnificent lodge rooms based on themes of the ancient architectural world, the Masonic Temple displays historical Masonic traditions and values. It is also the headquarters for the Masonic fraternity in Pennsylvania and the special events venue, ONE.
 
Located within the Temple is the John Wanamaker Resource Center, which houses thousands of texts and artifacts relating to the history of the Masonic fraternity in Pennsylvania and beyond. Founded in 1908, the center was dedicated by Brother John Wanamaker, a prominent Philadelphia merchant who served as the first Chairman of the Library Committee. The center’s collection consists of more than 30,000 items. Some of these include a Masonic apron made for George Washington, which was presented to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1829 by the Washington Benevolent Society; two letters in Washington’s own hand, addressed to his Masonic brethren; and Brother Benjamin Franklin’s Masonic sash, worn in 1782, when he was Venerable (Worshipful Master) of the Loge des Neuf Soeurs (Lodge of the Nine Sisters or Muses) in Paris and when he guided Brother Voltaire. For more information on the center’s artifacts, visit here.
 
The center has one of the finest collections of books and Masonic records for the study of Freemasonry. The importance of collecting and cataloging seminal works in the history of Freemasonry has remained a focus of the institution since its inception. Housed within the stacks are thousands of volumes covering all aspects of Freemasonry and its history, philosophy and contributions to civil society. The center is a place of interest for members and academics alike, providing research and lending services in an effort to advance knowledge and understanding of the fraternity, its meanings and its place in history. One of the center’s prize possessions is an incunabulum, or book printed before Jan. 1, 1500. For more information on the collections of books and records housed within the John Wannamaker Resource Center, visit here.
 
What is Freemasonry?
 
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than 88,000 Freemasons in Pennsylvania, more than 1.1 million Freemasons in North America and more than two million around the world. To learn more, visit https://pagrandlodge.org/.
 

Famous Freemasons in History

  • 14 presidents, including George Washington, Gerald Ford and Franklin Roosevelt
  • 7 astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin and John Glenn
  • 9 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Benjamin Franklin
  • Athletes, including Shaquille O’Neal (basketball), Arnold Palmer (golf) and Scottie Pippin (basketball)
  • Musicians, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, William “Count” Basie and Brad Paisley
  • Writers, including Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde
  • Actors and entertainers, including John Wayne, Harry Houdini and Richard Pryor

Famous Freemasons from Philadelphia include:

  • Former Philadelphia Mayor and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell
  • Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter
  • Former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Arlen Spector
  • U.S. Sen. Hugh Doggett Scott Jr. (PA)
  • John Wanamaker, born in Philadelphia, pioneered the concept of the department store
  • William Claude Dukenfield, better known as W.C. Fields, an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer

Press Releases

Access Press Downloads

Media contact: Michele Besso, public relations specialist, 610-825-6100, ext. 61233 or mbesso@masonicvillages.org. Contact Michele to be added to the Masonic Temple’s media list.

Sample Image Gallery

Please contact Public Relations for high-resolution images.

Egyptian Hall
Gothic Hall
Masonic Temple stairway
exterior of masonic temple with city hall in the background
The Grand Foyer at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Masonic Temple, Library and Museum - Philadelphia, PA
Interior room in Masonic Temple looking out into staircase
Corinthian Hall

Film, Photography and Taping Guidelines

Anyone who wishes to film at the Masonic Library and Museum for commercial, non-news purposes, please contact Mike McKee, executive director, at mmckee@pamasonictemple.org.

Contact Public Relations

Media Requests & Inquiries

Members of the media may request images to accompany media coverage of the Masonic Library and Museum’s special exhibitions and its collection by contacting Michele Besso at mbesso@masonicvillages.org.

Social Media

Please visit our social media page for Masonic Temple account information.

Rights & Reproductions

All requests to reproduce works from our permanent collection in publications must be submitted through the Masonic Temple office.

Archival & Other Requests

Click here to access our online catalog and lending services. For records and genealogy requests, contact Rick Freedman, at rfreedman@pamasonictemple.org.

To schedule or arrange events and weddings at ONE North Broad, the Masonic Temple’s event venue, visit here.