“You’re gonna need a bigger room!” was the consistent refrain of almost all who visited the museum room since it was opened just over five years ago. It was such a big step that less than two years after the archives was established, the museum room was built. I think it is fair to say that when this all started with my appointment as Historian in 2018, no one could guess what this would become. Our physical and digital collections are almost unrivaled in depth and breadth, and we have become known nationally for our efforts to preserve the history of the Shrine.
As Aleppo’s Historian, it has always been on the top of my mind the responsibility of being entrusted with the museum room and I was trying to constantly balance between the mission of the archive in preserving items and hosting a museum with informational displays to share the stories these items tell. As such, my usual greeting to visitors was “don’t mind the mess!”
I was cautiously honored therefore when late last year I was informed that the conference room would be made available for my use. The move would be a big one, but it was an opportunity to start from scratch and design displays with lessons learned as to what visitors will want to see while still presenting the wide variety of our collection and history.
The plan was to have the new museum room open for the January ceremonial, but a sprained ankle earned in another Masonic history project put me behind schedule. There’s still work to do, we’re quoting a track lighting system and new lights for some of the displays, and there are some more items to pull out of storage, but the room is now open and ready for visitors, so be sure to drop in during Shrine events and check out the displays!
I don’t like mentioning names as I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me in this project, but I must mention the office and building staff (Steve, Maribel, Sheila, John, Tom, and Brad), Cliff Critch and the Drifters for getting the large shelving display, and Carlos for donating two new mannequins. And most recently thank you to the HONS for their very generous donation of $3000 to support the Museum Room! To everyone who has donated items or even just offered words of support, I can only say once again: THANK YOU!