Masonic Temple
241 E. Wisconsin Avenue
241 E. Wisconsin Avenue
June 1855: Menasha Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons is chartered.
September 1855: Group moves from Menasha to Neenah.
1924: Masonic Temple was Built. It was commissioned to be built to provide a permanent meeting hall for the Freemasons in the Neenah Menasha area.
1925-Present: No major changes to the building or the owners of the building. The Temple is interesting because over a period of 90 years, it has undergone very few changes.
September 1855: Group moves from Menasha to Neenah.
1924: Masonic Temple was Built. It was commissioned to be built to provide a permanent meeting hall for the Freemasons in the Neenah Menasha area.
1925-Present: No major changes to the building or the owners of the building. The Temple is interesting because over a period of 90 years, it has undergone very few changes.
General Information
-Iconic members include:
- C.B. Clark, founder of Kimberly Clark.
- George A. Whiting, founder of Whiting Paper.
About the Masonic Order
The Freemasons are a society that has been around since the middle ages. They have core beliefs in freedom and tolerance, as their main goal is to make a difference in the lives of their members, as well as a difference in the community. As the oldest and largest fraternal society in the world, they have made huge contributions in both the US and around the world. They were instrumental in the founding of our country as many of our founding fathers were Freemasons.
From the Lodge #61 Facebook Page:
What is the purpose of Freemasonry? One of its most basic purposes is to make good men even better. We try to place an emphasis on the individual man by strengthening his character, improving his moral and spiritual outlook, and broadening his mental horizons. We try to impress upon the minds of our members the principles of personal responsibility and morality, encouraging each member to practice in his daily life the lessons taught through symbolic ceremonies within the lodge.
One of the universal doctrines of Freemasonry is a belief in the “Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God”. The importance of this belief is reinforced by each Freemason as he practices the three principle tenets of this gentle craft: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, while promoting a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood transcending all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences.
In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading, Definition of a Freemason:
“The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.”
From the Lodge #61 Facebook Page:
What is the purpose of Freemasonry? One of its most basic purposes is to make good men even better. We try to place an emphasis on the individual man by strengthening his character, improving his moral and spiritual outlook, and broadening his mental horizons. We try to impress upon the minds of our members the principles of personal responsibility and morality, encouraging each member to practice in his daily life the lessons taught through symbolic ceremonies within the lodge.
One of the universal doctrines of Freemasonry is a belief in the “Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God”. The importance of this belief is reinforced by each Freemason as he practices the three principle tenets of this gentle craft: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, while promoting a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood transcending all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences.
In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading, Definition of a Freemason:
“The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.”
Masonic Symbol
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G: The "G" is used as a remembrance that the "Great Architect of the Universe", God, sees every act that is done. It also is for the word "geometry" which is the mathematical science that the architecture and Masonry were founded upon. Estimating between 1730-1768 in the United States, the "G" was added in the middle- it is not always foundin the center in all jurisdictions around the world.
Square: It is an emblem of virtue or morality of humankind. "Square our actions by the square of virtue with all mankind" Compass: The compass stands for wisdom within boundaries. The 90 degree angle of the square symbolizes accuracy and what is truly right. Together: Putting the three symbols together, the Masons called them the 3 Great Lights: the Square, the Compass, and the Holy Book. The three are to show the lesson of morality, truthfulness, and honesty. *The combination of the symbols may look different depending each jurisdiction* |
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Who was Dr. Elisha Kent Kane?
The Philadelphia born doctor, military man, author, and explorer became one of the most celebrated men in the 19th century in his short 37 years on our Earth. During his second year in college, Elisha contracted rheumatic fever, which in turn left him with an untreatable condition, a death sentence. In hopes of traveling the world, Kane left college to join the Navy as a physician after briefly studying medicine in Philadelphia. His dreams came true when he visited China, Brazil, South East Asia, Philippines, and Europe during his time in the Navy. After his service he briefly returned home, where he was treated as a hero, before he volunteered for a rescue mission in the Arctic. After an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Kane stopped in the United Kingdom, where his published a book on his mission and gave several lectures on the Arctic and his scientific findings. He later began to campaign for a second rescue attempt, but before he left, Kane managed to fall in love with the widely popular psychic, Margaret Fox. During his second time in the Arctic, Kane kept meteorological, and geographic records of the areas he was in, in addition he created trade relations with the local Inuit tribe. The expedition came to a halt after the ship became stuck in the ice, for 5 months the crew was trapped in the Arctic. The relation with the native paid off when they taught Kane and his crew how to hunt and survive. He later took his crew south to Greenland where they then returned home. Kane wrote a celebrated book, and became the most popular explorer of the century. Kane died in Havana, Cuba at 37, his funeral was the largest of the 1800's only to be passed by Abraham Lincoln's later in the century. Elisha Kent Kane was responsible for the increased scientific interest in the polar regions, and is today, one of the greatest explorers.
"Elisha Kent Kane." Elisha Kent Kane. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014. <http://www.ekkane.org/Biographies/BioKane.htm>.
"History of Freemasonry." History of Freemasonry. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.
"Twin Cities Lodge #61 Free and Accepted Masons." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
Masonic symbol picture by Mary Sollitto
"History of Freemasonry." History of Freemasonry. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.
"Twin Cities Lodge #61 Free and Accepted Masons." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
Masonic symbol picture by Mary Sollitto