For those who have never been to London or who have never been in Freemasons Hall on Great Queen Street, there is a short video below. It is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in London, if not the world.
I apologise for the fact that it’s an advertisement for letting rooms in the building.
Ah, so that’s what that building is. Every once in a while I happen upon it (it is a bit tucked away) and am very impressed, but this is always when I’m in a hurry and can’t stop to investigate.
Jumpin juharkey, dude! How much money do you guys have, anyway? When was that thing built? Art DECO you say? It doesn’t have that feel to me. But it really is quite something. Wow.
Yes, you should drop by some Saturday and take the tour, which I understand happens during the afternoon. The building is quite impressive inside as well as outside.
The building was begun just after the First World War as a memorial to those Brethren who were killed in the conflict. Since then, Freemasons in the UK have worn black ties, dark suits, and white gloves as a memorial to those killed in action. I think we should stop wearing mourning dress sometime.
There is some money in freemasonry. Do recall that back then many more men were involved in the Craft and millions of small subscriptions as well as some large ones were collected for the building, which (I think) was completed in the early 1930’s.
The furnishings, light fixtures, and lavatories are very much Art Deco, still. If you’re ever in London you might want to check the building out. Inside it reminds me very much of Eltham Palace, a lavish Art Deco pile now maintained by English Heritage.
As a sideline, around 4 years ago, when I first became a Freemason, the heating and ventilation system was shut down to be totally revamped (partially because it was wheezing, partially because there was asbestos in it) and the portion of dues remitted to Grand Lodge from all English and Welsh Freemasons was raised (temporarily, they said) to pay for the renovations. I don’t think the raise is temporary.
During the dark period in the summer all the chequered carpets in the Temples were renewed, and a letter went out to all Lodges that meet at Freemasons’ Hall saying that if the carpets were soiled through tampering with the nylon oil-filled candles the Lodge which met in that Temple the evening before would be charged for carpet cleaning.