Shortly after the end of World War I, Freemasonry numbered nearly 6000 men in the Valley of New Castle, prompting the first Commander in Chief, Brother John S. Wallace, to conceive a Masonic Temple large enough to house the growing numbers. The Milwaukee firms of Mr. R.G. Schmidt and S.M. Seisel, architect and contractor, were hired and construction began in 1924. When the cornerstone was laid on June 10,1925, thousands of spectators joined the celebration of what was then the largest facility between New York and Chicago. Interior work continued for another year, and the Scottish Rite Cathedral opened for official use on November 8, 1926. This exhibition of art and artifacts from the Scottish Rite Cathedral’s private collection pays tribute to the building’s construction and the history of the more than two dozen Masonic groups that continue to meet there today.
Activities & Events
One Day Workshops
Masonic Landscapes
Art Nouveau Illustrations
Marc Chagall Plate
Free Gallery Talks
Masonic Mythbusters
Thursday, November 10, 6-8 pm
Speakers: Dale Perelman, Jonathan Solomon, Jim McKim, Rob Cummings
The Making of Masonic Monuments
Thursday, December 15, 6-8 pm
Speaker: Jim West
The Origins of Friday the 13th
Friday, January 13, 6-8 pm
Speaker: Bob Presnar
Scottish Rite Cathedral Tours
A unique tour of Masonic History and symbolism held within New Castle’s own Scottish Rite Cathedral. Get a exclusive peek into the Lodge Rooms and Masonic Archives still in use today. Held Thursdays, November 10 – January 18. Reservations required.
Night at the Movies: National Treasure (PG)
Thursday, December 29, 6 pm
Bring the whole family to see the 2004 movie, National Treasure staring Nicolas Cage at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Auditorium. Admission is free. Concessions will be available.
About the Movie: Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), in hot pursuit of a legendary treasure, must steal one of America’s most sacred and guarded documents — the Declaration of Independence!