Hidden treasures found at Masonic Hall
HISTORICAL masonic archives and artefacts have been found hidden behind a panel at the Masonic Hall in Loughborough.
During recent work on the heating system at the hall in Orchard Street, Loughborough, the removal of a panel revealed a plethora of masonic artefacts and memorabilia.
The items were found in two locked chests belonging to Howe and Charnwood Lodge, and a small metal box, which had belonged to W.Bro. Henry Deane - one of the early members of Howe and Charnwood.
How long they had been behind the panel is not known, nor why they were there, but other documents recovered included the minute books of Howe and Charnwood from 1864 to 1979, attendance registers to 1965 and early declaration books.
Within the items is also an early photograph album containing a photograph of Earl Howe, and a a photograph of the master and officers of the lodge for 1895-6.
RW Bro Richard William Penn, 1st Earl Howe was provincial grand master of the then Leicestershire Province from 1856 and became the first provincial grand master of the combined province of Leicestershire and Rutland until 1869.
He was also the deputy grand master of the United Grand Lodge of England from 1844 to 1866.
Among the certificates discovered are the grand lodge certificates of many early brethren, including Bro. C.F. Oliver, who became provincial grand master in 1928.
In addition there is grand chapter certificate issued to Comp. William Grimes Palmer, who joined the Chapter of Fortitude, on November 27, 1843.
All the certificates have been professionally scanned and have been housed in the museum at Freemasons Hall, Leicester.
Prints have been made and are being held at Loughborough along with digital copies. Those for other provinces have been returned to them.
W.Bro. David Sharpe said: “It seems that a number of these items were sent to Loughborough when it was proposed to set up a museum in the early 1970s.
“It was felt as they were Loughborough Masons, they should be kept locally.”