Essex Masonic Library Museum

Library1Raising the awareness of Freemasons and members of the public, to the rich history and development of Freemasonry, is amongst the aims of the Essex Provincial Library and Museum. They have been in existence since 2006, when they were opened by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. John Michael Webb.
The displays reflect a modern and vibrant Library and Museum, enabling them to exhibit, for example, some of the very special and ancient artefacts on loan from Angel Lodge No. 51, who had their inaugural meeting in 1735. Among the books in their possession are some fine bindings from the early 18th century.

One of their original aims was to have an image of every Provincial Grand Master, since 1776. They are still striving to complete this collection, but that of William Phillip Honywood (1824-1831), still eludes them.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) wrote in his now famous, “A Dictionary of the English Language”, that a Museum was ‘a collection of learned artefacts’. The learned artefacts which are held by the Library and Museum, form an excellent resource for research into the sociological, esoteric and historical aspects of Freemasonry, not just in the Province of Essex, but worldwide.

The knowledgeable Library and Museum staff are only too willing to assist Freemasons and members of the public wishing to further their knowledge of our Order. The Library and Museum can provide a quiet area for reading, reference and research, with Internet access. They are members of the Masonic Library and Museum Group

OPENING HOURS : 10.00 – 13.00 Every Tuesday. Other times by appointment

The Brief story of Essex Masons

• Essex has more than 12,000 masons who are members of 330 lodges, meeting in 27 masonic centres.
• Colchester has thirteen lodges, Clacton eight and Harwich three.
• The number of members per lodge is between 20 and 65.
• All lodges are affiliated to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex, which is part of the United Grand Lodge of England, the world’s senior grand lodge
• Essex Masters Lodge is made up of senior masons who were masters of their lodges. It has 1,000 members and is arguably the largest lodge in the world. It celebrates its centenary on November 25.
•Angel Lodge 51 in Colchester is Essex’s oldest lodge. It first met on November 25, 1735.

Category: Masonic interest

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