In May 2013, the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding trail blazed the first permanent Masonic exhibition open to the public in a non-masonic building in the United Kingdom. This exhibition, under the watchful eye of APGM W. Bro. Martin Stray, was created by Worshipful Brothers Stuart Ross and Peter Smith and is located in the Heritage Lounge at the Royal Hall, Harrogate. Almost immediately after the Harrogate exhibition was opened, an opportunity arose for a second exhibition to be created, this time at the the well-established and acclaimed Bradford Industrial Museum. The museum, housed in a former worsted mill, complete with Victorian decors, exhibits working displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering and much more from a bygone age. The initial idea for this venue came from Bro. David Thrippleton, a volunteer at the Museum who had discussed the possibility with the museum manager. In July 2013, Brothers Ross and Smith were once again tasked with project managing this second display and accordingly, entered in to discussions with the Museum who offered a very large exhibition space immediately adjacent to the main entrance. The only problem was that the exhibition had to be up and running by the following December, a matter of only 5 months. A trip to Tulley House Museum in Carlisle, where local Freemasons were staging a six week exhibition proved very useful as did visits to the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London and Tapton Masonic Hall, Sheffield all of whom provided invaluable assistance and offers of numerous artifacts. Visits to the various Masonic Halls in the Bradford area completed the list of exhibits to choose from. That done, all that was left was to decide on the title, theme, content, layout and text boards, select the final artifacts, arrange for them to be brought to Bradford, organize loan agreements, list in detail the 150+ exhibits and finally create the look – all to be completed within a matter of weeks. Particular thanks must go to the other members of the team: W. Bro. Keith Grandison, W. Bro. David Williams and Bro. David Thrippleton without whose help and assistance the exhibition would never have been completed on time. Our vision was to take Freemasonry to the public by creating a display which would better inform and at the same time dispel many of the myths which have developed about the order. On Saturday December 8th a stunning display titled “A Masonic Experience – Freemasonry Explained” and comprising Masonic memorabilia and artifacts, together with numerous colorful and informative displays opened to the public. The central attraction is a Masonic Temple, complete with a floor cloth, pedestals and mannequins wearing examples of today’s regalia, whilst older regalia and banners are present in abundance hanging from the roof beams and the walls.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:39:11 +0000
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