Visitors to London’s renowned Freemasons’ Hall during the 2023 Open House Festival were treated to an extraordinary experience. Over two days in September, the venue opened its doors to the public, offering a weekend filled with fascinating exhibits, Special Interest Lodges, exclusive tours and more.
Steeped in history and built as a peace memorial to Freemasons who died during the First World War, Freemasons’ Hall stands as one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Visitors were given the exclusive opportunity to explore parts of Freemasons’ Hall rarely seen by the public, including behind-the-scenes tours to the second and third floors. The highlight of the tours was the awe-inspiring Lodge Room No. 10, affectionately known as the Egyptian Room, a meeting place for some of London’s largest Lodges.
There was also the chance to witness the magnificence of the Grand Temple and enjoy an engaging short film on Freemasonry. In addition, visitors gained insights into the practice of modern Freemasonry and witnessed how the historical building still serves its original purpose.
Throughout the weekend, people could engage with Freemasons wearing Masonic regalia, offering a personal touch to the experience. The public also had the unique opportunity to meet Freemasons from Special Interest Lodges, such as those dedicated to science fiction and fantasy, historical Masonic plays in authentic costume, Whisky Lodge, Military Lodge, and Formula One Lodge. This was a great chance to get a sense of the diversity and traditions that Freemasonry encompasses.
Members of Freemasonry for Women were also present for the whole weekend. They were happy to chat with visitors and discuss the significance of Freemasonry for women.
Families were in for a treat too. Younger visitors could discover a captivating children’s trail, explore the breathtaking architecture of the building, marvel at the beautiful scenes depicted within the stunning stained-glass windows, and create their own Bright Bricks figures of dragons, thrones, and unicorns – all inspired by the building’s architecture.
The visit also included an unveiling of the rich heritage at the Museum of Freemasonry, which showcases one of the world’s largest collections of artifacts related to Freemasonry. The Museum’s collections are packed with historical treasures, including Winston Churchill’s apron and the Grand Throne crafted for the future King George IV, who served as Grand Master from 1790 to 1813.
