Established in 1975 by the Scottish Rite Freemasons of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library tells the story of Freemasonry in the context of American history. Unique in the nation, the Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of American Freemasonry and fraternalism. The Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library holds one of the most comprehensive collections on the subject of American Freemasonry in the world. The collection comprises over 65,000 books, 1,600 serial titles and 2,000 cubic feet of archival materials related to Freemasonry, fraternalism, and American history. Both the Museum & Library are free and open to the public.
Take a look at the latest exhibitions here!
Current Exhibition: Protest & Promise – through 2028
Protest & Promise: The American Revolution in Lexington: After years of tension between Great Britain and its North American colonies, a skirmish on the town green in Lexington, Massachusetts broke long-held bonds and ignited the American Revolutionary War. In an unprecedented moment in 1775, ordinary people in Lexington made extraordinary choices. Two hundred and fifty years later, Americans continue to remember April 19, 1775, as a moment when everyday people shaped history. This exhibition explores the events of that day, with images, objects, and an in-depth look at this watershed event and how it has been remembered.
Current Exhibition: Looking Back, Moving Forward – Fifty Years of Collecting
For fifty years the museum and library has sought to fulfill the vision “to tell a thrilling story—the story of America” through programs, publications, exhibitions, and collections. This exhibition explores how the museum and library’s collection has grown, changed, and helped tell this story over half a century.
Open 9AM-4PM, Monday-Friday, and one Saturday a month. For open Saturday dates, please visit the museum’s website.
