150th Anniversary Press Inquiries

Press Contact

Michele Besso
Public Relations Specialist
mbesso@masonicvillages.org
610-825-6100 ext. 1233

150th Anniversary Celebration

The Masonic Temple, home of the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, is a national Historic Landmark building located near City Hall in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, the Temple is open to the public for guided tours, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Visitors can view artwork, frescos, stained glass, murals, 19th century inspired lodge rooms and a wide assortment of historic artifacts.

Image Gallery

Press Release

Philadelphia’s Masonic Temple, Center City’s Hidden Gem, Celebrates its 150th Anniversary

Philadelphia’s Masonic Temple is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with a series of special events and free tours. The Masonic Temple opened in 1873 and contains artwork, frescos, stained glass, murals and sculptures which connect Freemasons and non-Freemasons to an inspirational world of art, architecture and history.

This National Historic Landmark building, located at One North Broad Street, is a treasure that has been hidden in plain sight, despite its prominent location next to City Hall. Public tours of the building began in 1873, and in 2016, ONE North Broad was launched, which hosts events at the Masonic Temple. This subsidiary has introduced the building to thousands of guests who have attended weddings, concerts, parties, and corporate events.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Masonic Temple will offer free guided tours to the public on the first Sunday in April, May and June. Tours will be held every 20 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.

A public rededication of the building is planned for 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Free tours of the building will be available to the public following the ceremony. Visit our website, PaMasonictemple.org, for more information in the coming weeks.

In addition, the exhibit hall at the Masonic Temple features a wide assortment of artifacts related to the 150th anniversary and the history of the Masonic fraternity in Philadelphia and beyond. This includes letters from Masons George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, along with other items associated with Philadelphia Masons Stephen Girard and John Wanamaker, and much more.

Look for more events to be held throughout 2023 to commemorate this milestone anniversary at PaMasonicTemple.org.

To view a media kit, including a list of prominent Freemasons in history, including in Pennsylvania, visit https://pamasonictemple.org/media/

###

A National Historic Landmark in the heart of Philadelphia, the Masonic Temple was constructed in 1873. It is the headquarters for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Masonic fraternity) and the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. Special events are hosted within the building through the branded events department known as ONE North Broad.

Upcoming Events

Masonic Library and Museum events for the 150th Anniversary and more will be updated on our events page.