The Museum of…Our pick of the UK’s specialist collections
Geraldine Kendall finds out what makes visitors to the Manchester Masonic Museum marvel
Where
The Freemasons’ Hall in Manchester, the headquarters of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire.
What
“The museum is dedicated to promoting the values of, and stimulating debate about, the heritage of freemasonry,” says project officer Elizabeth May. Once seen as a secret society, freemasonry is now a worldwide fraternity with an estimated six million members.
Opened
The museum opened as private collection in 1929, but has been accessible to the public since September 2010.
Collection
“We have around 4,000 objects,” says May, “including a large collection of masonic jewels, aprons and certificates from the 18th century.” Most artefacts relate to the local masonic community, but the museum also holds a large variety of international objects.
“We have an unexpected collection of Breeches – or Geneva – Bibles, which we have discovered in the last few months,” says May.
Help at hand
One volunteer curator, two regular volunteers and a work placement student. May, the only full-time member of staff, is a project officer on a soon-to-be-completed Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project to develop conservation and training at the museum.
Budget
Donations, plus £1,000 each year from the Manchester Association for Masonic Research. It was recently given a £46,900 HLF grant.
Visitors
Unknown, although the museum’s public opening last September attracted more than 500 people. Admission is free.
Highlights
“Our current HLF project focused on the conservation of a unique set of three masonic robes, aprons and crowns donated to the museum in 1938,” says May. The Memorial Hall itself, a neo-classical and art deco space with a high-vaulted ceiling, “always gets the wow effect”, adds May.
Sticky moment
“The most serious was in 1994 when 160 jewels, many of them gold, were stolen from our collection,” says May. “It sadly made the local freemasons more wary about providing access to the building.”
Survival tip
“Keep the community involved, and challenge them to participate,” says May.
Future plans
Renovation works in 2012 will see the headquarters moving to one floor while the rest of the building will be turned into conference facilities and offices. One whole floor will be developed for the museum.
http://manchestermasonicmuseum.org.uk
The Freemasons’ Hall in Manchester, the headquarters of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire.
What
“The museum is dedicated to promoting the values of, and stimulating debate about, the heritage of freemasonry,” says project officer Elizabeth May. Once seen as a secret society, freemasonry is now a worldwide fraternity with an estimated six million members.
Opened
The museum opened as private collection in 1929, but has been accessible to the public since September 2010.
Collection
“We have around 4,000 objects,” says May, “including a large collection of masonic jewels, aprons and certificates from the 18th century.” Most artefacts relate to the local masonic community, but the museum also holds a large variety of international objects.
“We have an unexpected collection of Breeches – or Geneva – Bibles, which we have discovered in the last few months,” says May.
Help at hand
One volunteer curator, two regular volunteers and a work placement student. May, the only full-time member of staff, is a project officer on a soon-to-be-completed Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project to develop conservation and training at the museum.
Budget
Donations, plus £1,000 each year from the Manchester Association for Masonic Research. It was recently given a £46,900 HLF grant.
Visitors
Unknown, although the museum’s public opening last September attracted more than 500 people. Admission is free.
Highlights
“Our current HLF project focused on the conservation of a unique set of three masonic robes, aprons and crowns donated to the museum in 1938,” says May. The Memorial Hall itself, a neo-classical and art deco space with a high-vaulted ceiling, “always gets the wow effect”, adds May.
Sticky moment
“The most serious was in 1994 when 160 jewels, many of them gold, were stolen from our collection,” says May. “It sadly made the local freemasons more wary about providing access to the building.”
Survival tip
“Keep the community involved, and challenge them to participate,” says May.
Future plans
Renovation works in 2012 will see the headquarters moving to one floor while the rest of the building will be turned into conference facilities and offices. One whole floor will be developed for the museum.
http://manchestermasonicmuseum.org.uk