The National Heritage Open Day Weekend
Freemasons’ Hall Open Day - Sunday 12 September 2010
The National Heritage Open Day Weekend was held in ea
rly September and, as part of the event, the Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester opened its doors to the public on Sunday 12 September 2010 from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Freemasons’ Hall in Manchester is one of the finest art deco buildings outside London and is unique in having an entrance hall which is a replica of King Solomon’s Temple; the closest depiction you are ever likely to see. The building houses the Manchester Masonic Museum and on this occasion many artefacts, not usually on display, were available for viewing. For the non-Masons visiting there were displays of Masonic regalia; for Masons there was professional advice on cleaning and caring for regalia.
The major Lodge rooms were open to view, including the Derby, Goulburn, Towns and the Hewlett Chapter Room, together with the Museum and the Museum Jewel Gallery.
The Museum Committee, ably chaired by WBro Kai Hughes, Grand Orator, had worked diligently during the preceding weeks to ensure a magnificent experience for all who attended. Over 500 visitors came to explore Freemasons' Hall, the largest proportion of whom were members of the public. There were also number of freemasons and their families from across the Province, some who had neither been to Manchester nor Bridge Street before.
The displays and arrangements for the day had been carefully crafted by Elizabeth May, the Consultant Curator / Project Officer, Ivan Goldberg, the Museum Curator and Mike Birks, the Assistant Museum Curator.
A well organised, self-guided, tour of the building was set out on a plan given to all visitors as they entered the Hall:
MEMORIAL HALL
Vibrant cabinet displays adorned the periphery of the room including the recently found regalia of the first Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire, John Crossley (1826-30), as well as the 18th Century Cana Royal Arch Principals Robes, which will shortly be removed for restoration (below). The Museum has recently secured a £46,900 Heritage Lottery Fund grant to refurbish, restore and conserve the entire Museum's Royal Arch collection.
CANA ROBES
The tour started in the breathtaking Memorial Hall (dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1st World War) which is now frequently used for weddings and receptions (below). Here the Chairman, Kai Hughes (above). greeted visitors and took the opportunity to discuss the museum with many, whilst selling masonic memorabilia including RMBI2015 Festival merchandise and Museum tea shirts.
MEMORIAL HALL
Proceeding up the stairs (shown at the end of the Hall above), guests were greeted by the Derby Lodge Room which can seat almost 200 people. Each room in the building had cards which explained more about the room and the fine art each contains. Opposite here one then entered the Derby Dining Room where activities for families with children was centred. There was plenty to do from decorating and making stained glass (paper) windows to a busy bee chase; around the building were hidden posters with bees depicting a letter and a number. Properly arranged the 'secret' word was discovered and a prize was available to all the children who entered.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Continuing up to the 1st floor visitors entered the Derby Bar and Restaurant where many stopped for lunch, of coffee and cake!
DERBY BAR
On each floor over the balconies, the views of the winding staircase, supported only by the wall and itself,were tremendous - and clearly forming part of this fine reconstruction of King Solomon's Temple.
STAIRCASE
On the first floor the Towns Room was set up for a Royal Arch Chapter meeting (below) - a splendid picture of what beauty and colour Freemasonry has to offer its members.
TOWNS ROOM